Banni Grassland

WHY IN NEWS? The National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered all encroachments to be removed from Gujarat's Banni grasslands within six months. About Banni Grassland: Location: Banni is the largest grassland of Asia situated near the Great Rann of Kutch in Gujarat. It is spread over 2,618 kilometres and accounts for almost 45% of the pastures in Gujarat. Ecosystem and Vegetation: Two ecosystems, wetlands and grasslands, are mixed side by side in Banni. Vegetation in Banni is sparse and highly dependent on rainfall. Banni grasslands, traditionally, were managed following a system of rotational grazing. Banni is dominated by low-growing plants, forbs and graminoids, many of which are halophiles (salt tolerant), as well as scattered tree....Read More