|
Introduction
Gujarat State, the land of Lord Krishna and Mahatma Gandhi, has a distinction in
protecting the forest and wildlife and is perhaps a world model in conservation
and sustainable development. Non-violence is a way of life for the people of
Gujarat, as they respect plants and animals and do not harm them. Here, several
plants and animals are worshiped and religiously protected. They allow animals
to live with them, despite the economic loss. Gujarat is also known for
cooperative movement and people’s participation in development. Due to this
background, the level of people’s participation in conservation and restoration
of forest and wildlife is high. Gujarat Forest Department has implemented
several innovative schemes during the last decade, which have turned successful
and model stories in the world. Although there are several successful
experiences in Gujarat, the following of them may be listed among the best
conservation stories in the world:
Asiatic Lion Conservation: Asiatic lion, Panthera leo persica, was common in
Asia Minor and north-west part of India two hundred years ago. The animal
disappeared from every part of its previous habitat, except the Gir forest in
Saurashtra region in Gujarat. There also, the population crashed to less than
five dozens in the beginning of the 20th century. In the second half of the 20th
century, when the Asiatic lion was on the verge of extinction, several
conservation actions were initiated after the constitution of Gujarat State to
protect the lion habitat. The people of Gujarat owned Asiatic lion and initiated
protection measures after declaring the major part of the Gir forest as wildlife
sanctuary in 1965.
The conservation activities brought tremendous positive impact on lion’s habitat
and wildlife population. The number of six wild ungulate’s (Sambar, chital, blue
bull, four-horned antelope, chinkara and wild boar), the main wild prey,
responded well after removal of resident livestock and their population
consistently increased from about 6,400 in early 1970s to 64,850 individuals in
2011 – about ten folds increase in four decades. During the same period, the
number of lions increased by two and half fold (from less than 180 in 1968 to
over 410 in 2010). Its distribution range has also expanded in the three
districts – Junagadh, Amreli and Bhavnagar. Dispersion of the lion in the new
areas and people’s acceptance are also interesting. Management followed the
dispersal of lions to protect reclaimed habitats, away from Gir. The block of
forest in Mitiyala was declared a sanctuary in 2002 and subsequently Girnar
Wildlife Sanctuary was also created in 2007 to conserve lion. Thus, five
protected areas – Gir Sanctuary, Gir National Park, Pania Sanctuary, Mitiyala
Sanctuary, and Girnar Sanctuary – currently exist to protect the Asiatic lion
and declaration of another sanctuary is under the consideration of the
Government. Over the past two decades, these satellite areas became established
self-sustaining populations as evidenced by the presence of cubs since 1995. As
per the lion counting in 2010, one fourth of the total lions (105 lions) had
occupied six satellite areas – Girnar, Coastal Zone-I in Junagadh district,
Mitiyala, Coastal Zone-II and Liliya-Shatrunji riverine area in Amreli district
,and Hippavadli-Jesor zone in Bhavnagar district. In May 2011, over 510 leopards
were counted in the lion distribution range. Thus, over 920 big cats – lions and
leopards – survive in the Gir landscape and its satellite areas in the three
districts. The concentration of prey and big predators is highest of all the
Protected Areas in the country. At present, lion’s distribution range is in
twenty talukas, covering over 10,500 sq. km., and only one fourth of it is part
of the sanctuaries and forest areas.
About three fourth of the lion’s food came from the domestic animals in 1971,
which declined to less than one fourth within the Gir Conservation Area in 2010.
Thus, the predation pattern is totally reversed in favour of wild ungulates in
the Gir forests over a period of four decades, although the situation is
different in the peripheral villages and the satellite areas where livestock
still constitute a major part of the lion’s food. About 3,000 domestic animals
are killed by the lions and leopards around the Gir forest, in satellite areas
and in villages but people do not act against the lion; rather they feel
honoured to an possess animal in their areas. Co-existence of the lion and
people in the lion distribution range is an interesting conservation story.
Despite such a loss of domestic livestock, people resist and agitate whenever
issue is raised for trans-locating lions from their area to an alternative
habitat outside the state. Whenever, the Gir lion has faced a challenging
problem, the Government and people have joined hands and have acted firmly and
mobilized resources to address the issues. For example, when a few lions were
poached by the poachers from outside the state in 2007, the government under the
leadership of Honourable Chief Minister, Shri Narendra Modi acted quickly in
emergency like situation and allocated resources; constituted Gujarat Lion
Conservation Society; sanctioned new staff; constituted monthly lion monitoring
committee; provided adequate vehicles and equipments; and sanctioned 300
positions of Vanmitra (friends of the forest) in the fringe villages. Perhaps,
the response of the Government and people to protect Gir lion has been
incomparable the world over.
Indian Wild Ass: Like the Asiatic lion, the Indian wild ass, Equus hemionus khur,
has a single population of the world and is located in the Little Rann of
Kachchh. During the last century, the Indian wild ass had a fairly wide
distribution in the dry region of the north west of India and Pakistan.
Gradually, this animal disappeared from most of its previous habitats, except
the Rann of Kachchh. Dr Salim Ali (1946) estimated a population between 3000 to
4000 wild asses. The number and distribution range of the animal declined
subsequently. Outbreak of the Surra disease, caused by Tryspanosoma evansi, in
1960 also caused the decline of wild ass population. As a result, only about 870
individuals survived in 1962. Subsequently, the attack of the South African
Horse Sickness in 1963 caused death of some animals. As a result, only 362
animals were counted in the entire distribution range in 1969 by an aerial
survey.
The major part of the Little Rann of Kachchh was declared as Wild Ass Sanctuary
in 1973, which was expanded to an area of 4,954 km2 in 1978. Conservation
measures started after declaration of the sanctuary. Habitat protection and
improvement works, including creation of water facilities for the wild life were
carried out. The wild ass responded to the conservation measures. The number of
the wild ass increased consistently from 720 in 1976 to 3,860 in 2004 and then
4,040 in 20087. The Indian wild ass is not only saved from extinction but the
animal has had an impressive recovery during the last three and half decades
since declaration of the sanctuary. In other words, the number of the Indian
wild asses has increased by over five times since its first counting after the
notification of the sanctuary.
Wetlands – Nature’s Wonder: Waterfowl concentration in Gujarat during winter is
one of the highest in the country as the area falls on migratory route of the
birds. Migratory birds from Europe and Asia pass through the western part of the
country to Indian plateau and they enjoy varied habitats in the State. Many stay
in Gujarat for the entire wintering season and some move to Deccan plateau.
Again during their reverse migration in March and April, birds stay at wetlands
for sometime before their departure from the country to their breeding grounds.
The Gulf of Kachchh, the Gulf of Khambhat and the two Ranns cover vast areas of
coastal wetlands, making this part of the land incomparable in the country.
In Gujarat, the wetlands cover about 35 percent of the total wetland area in
India. Gujarat State recognised geomorphologic, floral and faunal values of
important wetlands and constituted seven sanctuaries, one conservation reserve
to preserve a total area of 13,052 sq. km. Additionally, eight wetlands of
national conservation significance have been identified and notified by the
Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India. In 2005, a total of 15.0
lakh water birds were counted in the wetlands of Gujarat. This figure was about
16.2 lakh in 2006 and over 19.0 lakh in 2008. This increase might be due to
increase in awareness of bird counting.
Coral Reef: Gulf of Kachchh and Gulf of Khambhat are two gulfs in Gujarat, out
of three in the country. The vast coastline of Gujarat has a remarkable features
of the extreme diversity of ecosystems i.e. coastal sands, estuaries, bays,
muddy and rocky areas, coral reefs and mangroves. Gujarat constituted the first
Marine National Park in the country in 1982. With its shallow inter-tidal zone
and chain of islands, the marine park has one of the richest marine habitats in
this subcontinent. The entire southern coast of the Gulf in Jamnagar district is
ringed by a cluster of 42 islands; many of them are fringed by coral reefs and
bear mangrove vegetation.
Coral reefs in the Gulf of Kachchh are the northern most in the Indian Ocean,
but they are geographically isolated. Most of the 33 of 42 islands in the Gulf
support fringing reefs. A maximum of 56 species (52 identified and four
unidentified) of corals (44 hard and 12 soft) have been documented from this
area, but this list has been recently enlarged to 49 species of hard corals and
23 species of soft corals. Species diversity and very high rates of biological
productivity make coral reefs unique. Coral reefs supply food for fish, crabs,
prawns and other marine life.
Vast areas of dead reefs with live patches at fringe of islands are an
indication that the coral cover loss is of the recent region. The majority of
the reef areas in the Gulf are under mud and sand. At present dead and live
coral reefs have been estimated at about 335 sq. km. Abundant food on reefs is
enjoyed by birds and some mammals like jackal, in Gujarat. Reefs are also
recognised as breeding and nursery grounds for marine life, including fish.
Whale Shark Conservation: The seawater in the coast of Saurashtra is now
globally known as breeding site of the whale shark, a threatened species. This
fish – adult about 12 m in length – migrates from the coast of other continents
– Australia and Mexico – to give birth in the warmth of the Arabian Sea along
the coast of Saurashtra – Veraval, Dwarka, Diu and Mangrol. Hunting of the whale
shark was an important fishing activity in Saurashtra coast as it fetched
substantial earnings to the fishermen community. One whale shark sells for Rs
100,000 in the market. Before 2001, over 200 of them were killed annually and
another estimate indicated a still higher figure. Whale shark meat is in great
demand and also valuable oil was extracted from its fins and liver. The Gujarat
Forest Department and naturalists joined hands and initiated a campaign to
protect this marine animal. As a result, whale shark hunting was banned in 2001,
after it became the first fish to be listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife
(Protection) Act 1972.
The Gujarat Forest Department along with the Wildlife Trust of India, the
International Fund for Animal Welfare, and other local NGOs and individual
nature lovers, launched a whale shark protection campaign in the state which
turned out to be a role model for conservation. Morai Papu, a known religious
leader, was roped in by the Forest Department in 2003 and he worked as an
ambassador for a “Save Whale Shark”. The people from Gujarat supported this
campaign and joined hands to participate in this conservation movement. Since
the campaign started, 257 whale sharks have been saved during the seven years
(2004-10). The spiritual leader went to sea off Dwarka and blessed a whale shark
entangled in a net. The shark was rescued after cutting the net and released in
the sea water. Although Rs 25,000 is paid for each rescue, the loss to the
fishermen due to cutting of the net is high. The campaign convinced the
fishermen that the whale shark is like their daughter who comes home to give
birth, and it is their duty to take care of the animal like their daughter. The
fishermen community responded positively to this campaign as it may be referred
as one of the successful conservation initiatives of the world.
Mangroves Restoration: Mangrove cover in the inter-tidal area of Gujarat
depleted to its lowest level in the late 1970s, but the trend was reversed after
the beginning of intensive conservation in 1980s. A Marine Sanctuary was created
in 1980. Subsequently, ecologically rich area along with mangroves in Jamnagar
was declared as the first Marine National Park of India. Mangrove restoration
and conservation started in 1983 with plantation of Avicennia marina on a small
scale by the Forest Department, which was subsequently scaled up to cover an
area of over 50,000 ha area of inter-tidal mudflats in the last three decades.
Extensive meetings in coastal villages and nature education activities were
conducted to enlist support of the people. When mangroves restoration started in
Gujarat, extent of its cover was very low in small patches, which started
improving after withdrawal from the destructive activities by the people. The
accurate assessment of mangrove cover was not done before the 1990s. As per the
reports of the Forest Survey of India, Dehradun, published every two years, the
mangrove cover improved consistently and it was estimated at about 397 km2 in
1997. The recovery continued and has increased consistently to two and half
times in less than two decades – from less than 400 sq. km. in 1993 to 689 km2
in 1995, and then to 1,046 km2 in 2009. Although major areas of mangroves of
Gujarat are in semi-arid environment, the cover tuned extensive after massive
recovery. At present, Gujarat supports about one fifth of total mangrove cover
in India. At present, the extent of mangrove cover in Gujarat is the second
highest in India after Sundarbans in West Bengal. Also, the extent of successful
restoration – increase of mangrove cover by two and half folds in about two
decades – is commendable and may be listed among the best restoration stories in
the world.
Social Forestry - Trees Outside Forest (TOF): The Government of Gujarat adopted
a new approach and initiated Social Forestry as a People’s Programmes. The
result of the initiative of the Social Forestry implemented by Gujarat was
appreciated by the international community. The World Bank funded Social
Forestry activities in the State. Subsequently, Social Forestry became a part of
the externally aided Project and also the state plan. During the last decade,
social forestry activities were implemented primarily under the State Plan.
These plans have made a significant contribution in improving the ‘Trees Outside
Forest’ (TOF). As a result, the availability of wood resources increased and the
fuel deficit state has turned into a fuel surplus state. This is very apparent
in the reports of the Forest Survey of India, Dehradun and also in the reports
of tree censuses. The TOF is on its way to reach a level in the near future that
would meet the entire demand of timber in the state. During 2003-09, the number
of trees outside forest has increased from 251 million to 269 million at an
annual growth rate of 2.9 million trees. Tree cover of 8,390 sq. km. (4.3% of
geographical area) outside forest is the second highest among the states of
India and it is higher than the national average of 2.8 percent of the
geographical area. In terms of density also, Gujarat stands second amongst the
states of India, after Kerala, although a major part of the state is in
semi-arid and arid-zones.
Kheda (now Nadiad and Anand districts), Mehsana and Gandhinagar were tree poor
districts in 1970s. The canal irrigation and social forestry programmes have
changed the face of the landscape in these districts. Now they are green
districts, with a tree density of over 50 trees/ha outside the forest, and Anand
has tree density of 68 trees/ha, against states average of 16.1 trees/ha. At
present, Anand district may be one of the greenest districts in the country. In
this district, the land and water are used in such a fashion that productivity
of the land stands optimum for all three sectors agriculture, animal husbandry
and agro-forestry. Anand tops in agricultural, milk and wood production in the
country. Amul dairy at Anand is known across the globe. Also, the district is
nationally known for cash crops. As per the recent tree count, about 20.1
million trees grow with a density of 68.4 trees per hectare in the district,
which is four times the average tree density in the state. A good number of
trees are cut annually to produce substantial wood, beyond the local need and
are exported to other states. Earning from tree plantation has become one of the
main economic activities of the farmers in the district. Anand is also famous
for NTFP as a huge quantity of Amla (Emblica officinalis) fruit is exported to
the private companies across India.
Seven districts in Gujarat have a tree density of over 30 trees/ha. It has been
estimated that the TOF produce about 31.7 lakh cubic meter of small and large
timber, including poles and 164 lakh tones of fuel wood in the state. By
estimates of the timber production in the state from the TOF by the Forest
Survey of India, Dehradun is at a level higher than the estimate of Gujarat
Forest Department. As per the Central Statistical organization (CSO, 2010), the
annual contribution of the TOF to the State economy in terms of timber was about
Rs 4,052 crores and this figure will go up when fuel wood is accounted in the
estimates. The story of TOF – the success of social forestry in Gujarat – has
turned up a model conservation and sustainable development story. The state
plans to replicate Anand-Kheda model in Narmada Canal irrigated districts. As a
part of Greening Gujarat Campaign, agro-forestry programmes have been
intensified and it was planned to increase the TOF from 269 million trees in
2009 to about 350 million trees in the next two five years plan, ending in the
year 2022.
Cultural Forest: In the ancient times, our forefathers lived in co-existence
with trees and have recognized the importance of plants for health, wealth and
prosperity of human life, so they were worshiping trees. In a major initiative
to boost tree plantation and improve the ecology of the State, and also to
connect people with tree, the Government of Gujarat embarked upon an ambitious
drive in the year 2004. This initiative not only aims at tree plantation but,
more importantly, at involving the people of Gujarat by introducing them to
different plants and trees through various Sanskritik Vans, and through them to
the ancient mythological and medicinal Indian traditions. In 2004, with the
inspiration of the Chief Minister of Gujarat State, this idea was conceived at
Gandhinagar Van Mahotsava and was executed in the shape of the Punit Van. The
Punit Van (pious forest) is a synthesis of Panchvati (tree grove of five pious
trees-Ficus benghalensis, F. religiosa, Saraca indica, Afgle marmelos and
Emblica officinalis), Nakshatra Van (Tree groves related to constellations of
stars – 27 constellations), Rashi Van (trees having relations with zodiac
signs), Navgraha Van (groves of trees having astrological connection with eight
planets and Sun), and Arogya or Charak Van (medicinal forest). A Bilva Van
(trees of Aegle marmelos) in the shape of a Shivling has also been included. The
Punit Van is, however, not merely a botanical collection, but also a modern park
with all the amenities for people of every age.
Till year 2011, Sanskritic Vans have been established at eight sites in eight
districts, each with an average area of about six to seven hectare. These
Sanskritic Vans created during the last eight years are – (i) Punit Van at
Gandhinagar (2004); (ii) Mangalya Van at Ambaji, Banaskantha in 2005; (iii)
Harihar Van at Somnath, Junagadh in 2006; (iv) Tirthankar Van at Taranga,
Mehsana in 2007; (v) Bhakti Van (forest for worship) at Chotila , Surendranagar
in 2008; (vi) Shyamal Van at Shamalji, Sabarkantha in 2009; (vi) Pawak Van at
palitana, Bhavanagr in 2010; and, (viii) Virasat Van (Heritage forest) at
Pawagadh (World Heritage Site), Panchamahals in 2011. All these centres have
turned into important tourist centres for learning.
Above successful sustainable conservation stories, showcase innovations and
solutions, present community and state level (regional) initiatives, tradition,
culture and indigenous knowledge, and more sustainable business models that
inspire ethical behaviour and people’s action. These conservation successes also
send a message how local people and the state government can support national
governments in achieving the biodiversity goal and it is also a lesson to learn
how citizens can be involved in sustainable development, biodiversity
conservation and greening the landscapes.
Nature education programmes, wetland conservation, restoring degraded forest
through Joint Forest Management, agro-forestry, canopy plantation to improve
NTFP and livelihood option of the local people and water conservation are some
other such outstanding works carried out by the Department during the last
decades.
|