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Wetlands in Kachchh peninsula , Kachchh peninsula in Gujarat, Kachchh peninsula , Kachchh peninsula Gujarat. |
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WETLANDS OF KACHCHH PENINUSLA Gujarat
Location: on the Kachchh Peninsula, north of the Gulf of Kachchh, Gujarat
Area: Many wetlands, mostly artificial, ranging in size from 5 ha to c. 1000 ha, in a region of 1,500,000 ha
Altitude: Sea level to 150 m
Biogeographical province: 4.15.7 Wetland type: 02, 06, 08, 14, 16, 17
Description of site: The Kachchh Peninsula is a region of relatively high relief comprising sheets of lava intersected by trap dykes. Much of the low-lying country has saline soils. The region extends for about 230 km from east to west, and up to 70 km from north to south. Natural lakes are very scarce in this semi-arid and rocky environment. As a consequence, numerous water storage reservoirs (tanks) have been constructed over the centuries to permit the cultivation of groundnuts, pulses, cereals, and cotton. At least 60 of these reservoirs exceed 100 ha in area. Virtually all the water courses flowing out of the Chaduva Katrol Range (the central spine of the Kachchh peninsula) are dammed at some point along their relatively short path to the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Kachchh, or inland salt wastes of the Great and Little Ranns. There are several small estuaries along the south and west coasts of Kachchh and a few larger areas of saline and brackish marshes, particularly along the Wagardhrai Creek which connects the Gulf of Kachchh with the Little Rann. Some of the best known wetlands are the Bhimasar and Sinai Lakes, Dewisar Tank, Rudarmata Dam and Ninghar Dam, Kukma Village Tank and Lair Dam, Don Dam Reservoir, Topansar Tank, and Vijaysagar Dam. In periods of below average rainfall, most of the wetlands remain dry, or virtually dry, for the entire year. The monsoon has failed several times in the past decade and, as a result, most of the tanks have held very little water in recent years Climatic conditions: Dry, tropical monsoon climate with an average annual rainfall of about 400 mm concentrated in July, August, and September
Principal vegetation: None of the Kachchh wetlands manifest the rich profusion of aquatic and emergent plants so typical of the wetlands of lower Sindh in Pakistan. Species of Typha, Juncus, and Phragmites occur at some of the lakes, but are intensively grazed by domestic livestock and cut for fodder. Most of the peripheral vegetation, particularly tamarisk (Tamarix dioica), has been cut for fuel. Many of the tanks are therefore decidedly bare of vegetation, compounding the appearance of aridity with the processes of desertification. The saline tracts and river beds support sparse woodland composed of Salvadora persica, S. oleoides, Tamarix spp., and Calotropis procera. The flora of surrounding areas is generally xerophytic. Thorn forest is presumed to be the climax vegetation but it is everywhere degraded into various stages of scrub
Land tenure: No information
Conservation measures taken: Ninghar Dam (23°08’N, 69’55’E) was once maintained as a hunting preserve and in the 1930s, was considered to be the best area for duck hunting in Kachchh
Land use: The tanks were built to supply water for irrigation and domestic use. They have also been heavily exploited for firewood and fodder. As the tanks dry up, they are often brought under cultivation and, after a series of dry years, cultivation of the lake beds inevitably evolves into semi-permanent agricultural operations. Many of the tanks are centres of spiritual and physical recreation
Disturbances and threats: Excessive exploitation of the aquatic and peripheral vegetation exacerbates the deterioration of the tanks induced by lack of water. Over-grazing and cutting of natural vegetation in the catchment area is accelerating the processes of desertification
Economic and social values: The wetlands provide a source of firewood and fodder to the local inhabitants, but harvests have consistently exceeded sustainable levels and, as a result, yields have fallen. Many of the lakes are scenically attractive and are the sites of temples
Fauna: In years of average, or above average, rainfall, the region is a vital wintering area for migratory waterfowl, particularly Anatidae. Some of the larger lakes, e.g. Rudarmata Dam, are important for pelicans and cormorants. Anastomus oscitans, Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus, Threskiornis melanocephalus, and Pseudibis papillosa appear at many of the tanks, and up to 150 Mycteria leucocephala have been reported at Vijaysagar. However, during a waterfowl survey of five tanks in January 1987, following three consecutive years of drought, only small numbers of birds were recorded. These included:
20 Pelecanus onocrotalus 75 Phalacrocorax carbo
33 Mycteria leucocephala 24 Pseudibis papillosa
36 Platalea leucorodia 130 Phoemicopterus ruber
700 ducks of 12 species 50 Grus grus
150 Anthropoides virgo 680 Fulica atra
and 275 shorebirds of 16 species, and 150 gulls and terns of eight species
Special floral values: None known
Location: on the Kachchh Peninsula, north of the Gulf of Kachchh, Gujarat
Area: Many wetlands, mostly artificial, ranging in size from 5 ha to c. 1000 ha, in a region of 1,500,000 ha
Altitude: Sea level to 150 m
Biogeographical province: 4.15.7 Wetland type: 02, 06, 08, 14, 16, 17
Description of site: The Kachchh Peninsula is a region of relatively high relief comprising sheets of lava intersected by trap dykes. Much of the low-lying country has saline soils. The region extends for about 230 km from east to west, and up to 70 km from north to south. Natural lakes are very scarce in this semi-arid and rocky environment. As a consequence, numerous water storage reservoirs (tanks) have been constructed over the centuries to permit the cultivation of groundnuts, pulses, cereals, and cotton. At least 60 of these reservoirs exceed 100 ha in area. Virtually all the water courses flowing out of the Chaduva Katrol Range (the central spine of the Kachchh peninsula) are dammed at some point along their relatively short path to the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Kachchh, or inland salt wastes of the Great and Little Ranns. There are several small estuaries along the south and west coasts of Kachchh and a few larger areas of saline and brackish marshes, particularly along the Wagardhrai Creek which connects the Gulf of Kachchh with the Little Rann. Some of the best known wetlands are the Bhimasar and Sinai Lakes, Dewisar Tank, Rudarmata Dam and Ninghar Dam, Kukma Village Tank and Lair Dam, Don Dam Reservoir, Topansar Tank, and Vijaysagar Dam. In periods of below average rainfall, most of the wetlands remain dry, or virtually dry, for the entire year. The monsoon has failed several times in the past decade and, as a result, most of the tanks have held very little water in recent years Climatic conditions: Dry, tropical monsoon climate with an average annual rainfall of about 400 mm concentrated in July, August, and September
Principal vegetation: None of the Kachchh wetlands manifest the rich profusion of aquatic and emergent plants so typical of the wetlands of lower Sindh in Pakistan. Species of Typha, Juncus, and Phragmites occur at some of the lakes, but are intensively grazed by domestic livestock and cut for fodder. Most of the peripheral vegetation, particularly tamarisk (Tamarix dioica), has been cut for fuel. Many of the tanks are therefore decidedly bare of vegetation, compounding the appearance of aridity with the processes of desertification. The saline tracts and river beds support sparse woodland composed of Salvadora persica, S. oleoides, Tamarix spp., and Calotropis procera. The flora of surrounding areas is generally xerophytic. Thorn forest is presumed to be the climax vegetation but it is everywhere degraded into various stages of scrub
Land tenure: No information
Conservation measures taken: Ninghar Dam (23°08’N, 69’55’E) was once maintained as a hunting preserve and in the 1930s, was considered to be the best area for duck hunting in Kachchh
Land use: The tanks were built to supply water for irrigation and domestic use. They have also been heavily exploited for firewood and fodder. As the tanks dry up, they are often brought under cultivation and, after a series of dry years, cultivation of the lake beds inevitably evolves into semi-permanent agricultural operations. Many of the tanks are centres of spiritual and physical recreation
Disturbances and threats: Excessive exploitation of the aquatic and peripheral vegetation exacerbates the deterioration of the tanks induced by lack of water. Over-grazing and cutting of natural vegetation in the catchment area is accelerating the processes of desertification
Economic and social values: The wetlands provide a source of firewood and fodder to the local inhabitants, but harvests have consistently exceeded sustainable levels and, as a result, yields have fallen. Many of the lakes are scenically attractive and are the sites of temples
Fauna: In years of average, or above average, rainfall, the region is a vital wintering area for migratory waterfowl, particularly Anatidae. Some of the larger lakes, e.g. Rudarmata Dam, are important for pelicans and cormorants. Anastomus oscitans, Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus, Threskiornis melanocephalus, and Pseudibis papillosa appear at many of the tanks, and up to 150 Mycteria leucocephala have been reported at Vijaysagar. However, during a waterfowl survey of five tanks in January 1987, following three consecutive years of drought, only small numbers of birds were recorded. These included:
20 Pelecanus onocrotalus 75 Phalacrocorax carbo
33 Mycteria leucocephala 24 Pseudibis papillosa
36 Platalea leucorodia 130 Phoemicopterus ruber
700 ducks of 12 species 50 Grus grus
150 Anthropoides virgo 680 Fulica atra
and 275 shorebirds of 16 species, and 150 gulls and terns of eight species
Special floral values: None known
For Wetlands in Kachchh Peninsula
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