Biodiversity threat through exotic species monitoring and management using Remotely Sensed data and GIS techniques - A case study of Banni (Kachchh) Gujarat, India Methodology Looking in to the typical problems of Banni grasslands and subsequent discussions held with experts, participating agencies and also with the agencies working in Banni development activity at Bhuj, it is felt that the problems of Banni can be addressed by four major action plans which are required for implementing for Banni development. They are:
 Fig - 01: Schematic Representation of Methodology for Banni Development Plan Results, Discussions and Suggestions Based on the analysis carried out the following results were found. §Prosopis invasion Invasion of Prosopis can be attributed to various allogenic and autogenic factors operating at spatial scales ranging from the small patch to entire landscape. Allogenic factors include climatic changes, over grazing etc. Allogenic factors operating to favor Prosopis invasion over good grasslands is an increase in the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of soil salinity, cattle droppings etc.. which promotes the invasion of Prosopis. Prosopis invasion in Banni using multi-temporal Satellite data of 1980,1985 1988 and 1998 (Normal, Drought, Normal) have been calculated. The percent of area under P.juliflora are as follows:
Looking at the present scenario and comparing with our own previous studies, it is very interesting to calculate the future trend of invasion in the Banni (W) area. To do the trend analysis of Prosopis invasion in Banni, Kachchh, we have considered an imperial equation, which had been validated by using 1988,1998 & 1999 Satellite data. Based on that equation we have predicted P-invasion in Banni upto 2020.The results are as follows:
This shows very alarming situation for Banni Grasslands. By the year 2020 more than 56% of the total geographical area of Banni would be under prosopis and destroys entire bio-diversity, and grassland eco-system of the area, if proper controlling measures were not taken immediately. One of the measures suggested was Mass weeding of Prosopis immediately after post - monsoon so as to control its invasion in new areas where good and palatable grass is growing at present. Fig-02 shows spatial distribution of areas for mass weeding of P.juliflora immediately after the post-monsoon. §Phase - wise removal of prosopis Looking at the stock of Prosopis in Banni, it is very essential to remove (uprooting or cut and burn with kerosene) from non - saline areas. But, removing entire Prosopis at once may cause ecological problems. So, it is suggested to remove Prosopis phase - wise (may be 1kmX1km plots) starting from matured patches to complete with in Four or Five years. Fig-03 shows priority areas for phase-wise removal of P.juliflora from pure patches of prosopis and prosopis invading in good grasslands. §Protecting and Controlling open Grasslands It is observed from the analysis that, if the rainfall is normal, there is a good grass growth in non-saline patches of land in Banni. Because of over grazing by domestic and migrated cattle from surrounding districts and also from Rajasthan, the grass is getting exhausted before it fully grows to a particular stage. To overcome this problem it is essential to protect open (uncontrolled) grasslands to arrest the entry of cattle freely from all sides of the patches. So, it is suggested to fence these patches. Moreover, it is required to do furrowing in these lands for moisture retaining and thereby better production in the subsequent years. |