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બન્ની ઘાસિયા મેદાન કાળિયાર પુનર્વસન અને જૈવવિવિધતા પુનઃસ્થાપના

Source:dailypioneer ↗

આ શા માટે મહત્વનું છે

Conservation initiatives in Gujarat, particularly concerning the Banni Grasslands, blackbucks, and ecological restoration efforts like prey-base augmentation (linked to Project Cheetah), are highly relevant for GPSC Prelims Geography and Environment sections.

સારાંશ

The Gujarat Forest Department and Vantara successfully released 20 blackbucks into the Banni Grassland of Kutch on India's 80th Independence Day. This rewilding effort, inspired by broader national conservation strategies like Project Cheetah, aims to restore native herbivore populations and the ecological balance of the unique Banni landscape.

મુખ્ય મુદ્દા

  • On India’s 80th Independence Day, 20 blackbucks were rewilded in the Banni Grassland of Kutch, Gujarat.
  • The initiative is a collaborative effort between the Gujarat Forest Department and Vantara (Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre).
  • આ પારિસ્થિતિકીય પુનઃસ્થાપન પ્રોજેક્ટ ચિત્તા જેવા રાષ્ટ્રીય નિર્દેશો સાથે સુસંગત છે, જેનો ઉદ્દેશ્ય મૂળ તૃણાહારીઓની વસ્તીને પુનઃસ્થાપિત કરવાનો અને શિકારના આધારને વધારવાનો છે.
  • Future phases of the project aim to introduce more blackbucks along with other native species such as chinkaras and wild asses to the Banni landscape.

મહત્વપૂર્ણ શબ્દો

બન્ની ઘાસભૂમિ

A belt of arid grassland ecosystem in the Rann of Kutch, Gujarat. Formed from river sediments, it supports rich biodiversity, native herbivores like blackbuck, and pastoral Maldhari communities, serving as a crucial ecological and conservation zone.

UPSC context

Highly relevant for Geography and Environment. It tests knowledge of India's unique ecosystems, biodiversity hubs, and sites for wildlife reintroduction (like cheetahs).

Source
Project Cheetah

આફ્રિકન ચિત્તાઓને પુનઃ દાખલ કરવા અને મુક્ત-વિહરતી વસ્તી સ્થાપિત કરવા માટેની ભારતની 2022ની પહેલ. કુનો નેશનલ પાર્કથી શરૂ કરીને, તે ખુલ્લા કુદરતી નિવસનતંત્રો, ઘાસના મેદાનો અને સવાના વસવાટોને પુનઃસ્થાપિત કરવા અને તેનું સંરક્ષણ કરવા માટેના એક ફ્લેગશિપ કાર્યક્રમ તરીકે કાર્ય કરે છે.

UPSC context

Crucial for Environment & Ecology. It tests knowledge of species reintroduction, transcontinental conservation efforts, and grassland ecosystem restoration.

Source
Central Zoo Authority (CZA)

A statutory body established in 1992 under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. It oversees, regulates, and grants recognition to zoos in India, enforcing standards for animal housing, upkeep, and coordinating conservation breeding.

UPSC context

Important for Environmental Governance. Tests knowledge of statutory bodies, wildlife protection laws, and ex-situ conservation frameworks in India.

Source
વંતારા

An expansive animal rescue, care, and rehabilitation initiative established by the Reliance Foundation in Jamnagar, Gujarat. It includes state-of-the-art veterinary facilities and partners with the government on wildlife restoration and rewilding projects.

UPSC context

Relevant for Biodiversity Conservation. It highlights the growing role of private-corporate initiatives and public-private partnerships in modern wildlife conservation.

Source
ગ્રીન્સ ઝૂઓલોજિકલ રેસ્ક્યુ એન્ડ રિહેબિલિટેશન સેન્ટર (GZRRC)

The primary rescue and rehabilitation zone within the Vantara project in Jamnagar. A CZA-recognized facility, it provides expert care, houses a massive wildlife hospital, and facilitates ethical breeding and rewilding of species.

UPSC context

પર્યાવરણ અને પરિસ્થિતિકી માટે પ્રસ્તુત. તે મોટા પાયાના, CZA-મંજૂર એક્સ-સિટુ સંરક્ષણ અને પુનર્વસન માળખાકીય સુવિધાનું એક ઉદાહરણ પૂરું પાડે છે.

Source

પ્રિલિમ્સ ટ્રેપ

"Because Blackbuck is protected under Schedule I of WPA, it is categorized as an Endangered species."

Despite having the highest protection under Schedule I of the WPA 1972, the Blackbuck is actually classified as 'Least Concern' by the IUCN.

સંલગ્ન સ્થિર ખ્યાલો

Environment & Ecology

What makes the Banni Grassland ecologically unique?

  • Geographic location: Located in arid Kutch, Gujarat, it forms Asia's largest tropical grassland ecosystem.
  • Ecosystem structure: A unique juxtaposition of wetlands (chari-dhand) and saline-tolerant short grasslands.
  • સાંસ્કૃતિક પારિસ્થિતિકી: Home to the pastoral Maldhari community, recognized for their traditional breeding of the Banni buffalo.
  • Invasive threat: The widespread introduction of Prosopis juliflora (Gando Baval) threatens its native grassy plains.
Biodiversity Conservation

What is the conservation status and habitat of the Blackbuck?

  • Legal protection: Protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, granting it absolute protection.
  • IUCN Status: Listed as 'Least Concern' on the IUCN Red List due to successful conservation efforts.
  • આવાસ પસંદગી: ભારતીય ઉપખંડના સ્થાનિક, જે ખુલ્લા મેદાનો, ઝાડી-ઝાંખરાવાળા પ્રદેશો અને ટૂંકા ઘાસના મેદાનોમાં ખીલે છે.
  • Key reserves: Velavadar (Gujarat), Tal Chhapar (Rajasthan), and Point Calimere (Tamil Nadu) are major sanctuaries.

આંતર-વિષય પેટર્ન

  • Augmenting prey base for Cheetah Relocation

    Banni was identified by WII as a potential site for cheetah breeding. Reintroducing blackbucks and chinkaras directly prepares the landscape's prey base for future apex predators under Project Cheetah.

  • અનુસૂચિ-I સંરક્ષણમાં કોર્પોરેટ સહભાગિતા

    Vantara's involvement highlights the growing trend of private sector and CSR initiatives partnering with Forest Departments for Schedule I rewilding, bridging critical funding and veterinary gaps.

Expect a multi-statement question combining Banni's ecology (Maldharis, Prosopis invasion) with the Blackbuck's paradoxical IUCN status.

સંલગ્ન PYQ · 2

સંલગ્ન PYQ · 2

  • 2026GPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    The 'Great Indian Bustard (GIB)' (Ghorad) is frequently seen in the news in the context of wildlife conservation efforts in western India. Consider the following statements regarding this species: 1. Currently, the highest surviving wild population of the Great Indian Bustard in India is located in the semi-arid grasslands of Gujarat. 2. It is a long-distance migratory bird that travels from Central Asia to the Indian subcontinent to escape harsh winters. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

  • 2022GPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    From the following which place of Gujarat has been named on UNESCO's World Heritage list?