Mapping
Source: IE
Context: The central government has approved a proposal to establish a cheetah conservation breeding centre in Gujarat’s Kutch district’s Banni grassland.
| Aspect | Details |
| Location | Banni Grassland is situated near the Great Rann of Kutch in Gujarat. |
| Size | It is considered to be the largest Grassland in Asia, spreading over 2,618 kilometres and accounting for almost 45% of the pastures in Gujarat. |
| Formation | The land in Banni was formed from the sediments deposited by the Indus and other rivers over thousands of years. |
| Ecosystem | Two ecosystems, wetlands, and grasslands, coexist in Banni. |
| Vegetation | The vegetation is sparse and highly dependent on rainfall. It is dominated by low-growing forbs and graminoids, many of which are halophiles (salt-tolerant). The grasslands were traditionally managed by a system of rotational grazing. |
| Flora and Fauna | Rich biodiversity with 192 species of plants, 262 species of birds, several species of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. It is also known for the Banni breed of buffaloes |
| Reserve Forest Status | In 1955, the court notified the grassland as a reserve forest. In 2019, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered to demarcation of the boundaries of Banni grassland and restricted non-forest activities. |
| Most of the livestock keepers in Banni belong to the Maldhari community. They rear the Banni or Sindhi buffalo, Kankrej cattle, sheep, goats, horses, donkeys and camels | |
| Significance | The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has identified Banni Grassland as one of the last remaining habitats of the cheetah in India. |
