Charri Dhand 'conservation' reserve to boost birds' protection

Parag Dave

Ahmedabad, Sept 11 (PTI) Gujarat government's decision
to declare the Charri Dhand wetland area in Banni region of
Kutch as a conservation reserve will be a major boost to the
efforts of preservation of lakhs of avian species found in the
area, a top wildlife official has said.

The exotic wetland of Charri Dhand falls on the
international migratory route of birds coming from Siberia
and Europe during winter.

It is a paradise for bird watchers and ornithologists
as 74 different avian species are found in the area during the
winter.

Though the state falls on the migratory route of
birds, so far little was done for their conservation.

"The declaration of 22,700 hectares of the wetland and
surrounding areas as conservation reserve last month by the
state government will be a major boost for preservation of
wildlife found there," Conservator of Forest of Kutch, R L
Meena, told PTI.

"Commercial fishing activity which had increased in
the wetland posing threat to the food resources for the birds
will be entirely stopped now," Meena said.

The activity of hunting of these birds will also be
controlled.

"Charri Dhandh has recorded 74 species of birds. There
were over one lakh pelicans in the last bird count in and
around the wetland," Meena said.

Apart from the birds, 55 distinct species of animals
have been spotted from the areas in and around Chhari Dhandh.

"Given its ecological, fauna, flora, geomorphological,
natural and zoological significance, the aim of declaring
Chhari Dhandh a conservation reserve is to protect, propagate,
and develop wildlife and its environment," the government
notification said.

Over 30,000 common cranes have been reported during
winter. Endangered species like Dalmatian Pelican (Pelicanus
crispus), Oriental Darter (Anhingia rufa), Blacknecked Stork
(Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) and Indian Skimmer (Rynchops
albicollis) migrate through these wetlands every year.

Key species in Chhari Dhand also include many types of
raptors and water dependent birds.

Banni conceals many depressions where rainwater gets
collected during a good monsoon. These shallow water bodies
are locally known as dhand (dhand in Kutchi language means a
saucer shaped natural depression).

There are around 224 such wetlands in and around the
wast Banni grasslands. Chhari Dhand is the largest of these,
with an area of almost 10 sq km.

The reserve will now cover over 22,700 hectares of land
in the three Kutch talukas of Bhuj, Nakhtrana, and Lakhpat.
PTI PD
SCY