Final Report
Ecological Profile for Coastal Talukas of Gulf of Kachchh
OVERVIEW
Sponsored by
Gandhinagar
by
Gujarat Ecology Society
in association with
Foundation for Ecological Security
MIR Projects and Consultants
September 2014
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A DYNAMIC ECOSYSTEM
It is a matter of concern and, at the same time challenge, to deal with increasing pressures on a varied and fragile ecosystem spanning almost one-third of Gujarat’s coastline. The Gulf of Kachchh has been attracting navigators over the centuries. However, the decisive economic push that Gujarat is witnessing since its formation and more so, during the last one and a half decades, has been bringing great pressure on natural resources on all sides of the Gulf. Gujarat has shown foresight in understanding the pressures on land, flora and fauna, water and other resources to reduce the adverse impact of economic development on ecology. This extensive study of the talukas around the Gulf rim and beyond is a case in point.
The detailed taluka-wise study of ecology of a 550 km coastline and its hinterland planned by Gujarat Ecology Commission will make enormous data available to planners to achieve the twin objectives of economic development and conservation of natural resources to a large extent. In this process we at Gujarat Ecology Society (GES) feel privileged to present this comprehensive document covering a whole range of data that goes beyond simple profiling. An effort has been made to indicate a management plan for each of the threatened segments of ecology. Over a period of nearly two decades GES has acquired capability to undertake such a task. Much earlier GES undertook a survey of entire Gujarat coast –covering 10 kms onshore and 10kms offshore – bringing it out in four volumes. The study being presented here is more detailed in its scope and content and has authenticity of a higher degree having been reviewed and vetted by experts.
We express our appreciation of GEC’s foresight and our thanks for giving us an opportunity to be a part of their on- going enlightened approach.
Vadodara, Sept. 27, 2014 Hasmukh Shah
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STUDY TEAM
GES
Dr. Deepa Gavali Team Leader
Dr. Jayendra J Lakhampurkar Environment Scientist
Dr. Sonal Deshkar Research Associate (Zoologist)
Dr. Jagruti Rathod Research Associate (Zoologist)
Ms. Amita Sankhwal Research Associate (Botanist)
Mr. Narayan Jadia Accountant
Mr. Sandeep Umratkar Field Assistant
FES
Mr. Arpit Deomrari GIS Expert
Ms. Atri Shaw GIS Expert
MIR
Mr. Jay S Damodaran Statistical Expert
Consultants
Dr. Jitendra Gavali Research Associate (Botanist)
Dr. Jessica Karia Environmental Planner
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CONTENT PAGE NO.
BACKGROUND 1
1 APPROACH & METHODOLOGY 3
1.1 Secondary Data Collection 3
1.2 Primary Data Collection 6
1.3 Analysis and Integration of the data 10
2 ABOUT THE STUDY AREA 12
2.1 Geo-environment 12
2.2 Geomorphology and Coastal Process 16
2.3 Climate 21
2.4 Demography 25
2.5 Biological environment 28
2.6 Grazing Pressures 39
2.7 Water Resource Status 42
2.8 Soil Salinity 45
2.9 Industries 48
2.10 Vehicles 53
2.11 Archaeological Sites 56
3 PROJECTIONS 62
3.1 Ground Water scenario 62
3.2 Solid Waste Generation 66
3.3 Industrial Effluents 68
3.4 Fuel Consumption Pattern 71
3.5 Urban Water Demand 76
4 CONSERVATION PLAN 78
4.1 Ecological Rich Areas 85
4.2 Biologically Hot Spots 90
REFERENCE 99
ANNEX I-IV 104-135
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LIST OF FIGURES
1: The Transects taken in Lakhpat and Abdasa-Naliya Taluka 7 2: The Transects taken in Anjar, Gandhidham, Mandvi and Mundra taluka 7 3: The Transects taken in Bhachau taluka 8 4: The Transects taken in Jamnagar, Lalpur and Jodiya taluka 8 5: The Transects taken in Dwarka and Khambhalia taluka 9 6: The Transects taken in Kalyanpur taluka 9 7: Geology of Kachchh 13 8: Geology of Jamnagar 14 9: Bathymetry of the Gulf of Kachchh 16 10: Current pattern during the ebb tides 19 11: Particle movement in the Gulf 20 12: Grazing land per livestock, 1997 40 13: Grazing land per livestock, 2007 40 14: Area under irrigation per scheme in coastal talukas 43 15: Rural water supply schemes in the study area 44 16: Areas with high fluoride, lead and nickel 45 17: Soil salinity as per NBSS & LUP 1998 47 18: Soil salinity as per Buvan 2005 47 19: Mining leases and areas in talukas of Kachchh district 52 20: Mining leases and areas in talukas of Jamnagar district 52 21: Trends in the transport and non transport vehicle from 2007-08 to 2012-13 in Jamnagar
district 53 22: Trends in the transport and non transport vehicle from 2009-10 to 2012-13 in Kachchh
district 55 23: Development category of ground water in 1991 63 24: Development category of ground water in 2002 63 25: Development category of ground water in 2010 64 26: Development category of ground water in 2025 65 27: Projected area for chemical industries 71 28: Rural energy consumption pattern in coastal taluka, Jamnagar 72 29: Urban energy consumption pattern in coastal taluka, Jamnagar 72 30: Rural energy consumption pattern in coastal taluka, Kachchh 73 31: Urban energy consumption pattern in coastal taluka, Kachchh 74 32: Rural energy consumption pattern in Maliya Taluka, Rajkot 75 33: Biological Hotspots around the Gulf 91
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LIST OF TABLES
1: A list of major earthquake events in Kachchh and Jamnagar since the 1819 15 2. The tidal elevations (in meter) along the Gulf of Kachchh 18 3: Cyclone hitting Gujarat coast 22 4: Devastation by major cyclones 23 5: Population residing along Jamnagar and Kachchh coastline 25 6: Density (persons/sq km) in coastal talukas of Kachchh district 26 7: Density (persons/sq km) in coastal talukas of Jamangar and Rajkot district 26 8: Workers force in the coastal talukas (figures in percentages) 27 9: Fishing families, total fishermen population and active fishermen 28 10: Forest areas in different talukas of Jamnagar District 30 11: The various categories of forest area of talukas of Kachchh district 30 12 Mangrove cover in the Gulf of Kachchh and the West Mangroves (in sq. km) 32 13 Area of the protected areas with the key species 33 14 Rare and threatened fauna in the coastal talukas in the study area 34 15: Species diversity of herbaceous layer in the coastal area of Jamnagar and Kachchh
districts 35 16: The status of upper tier of vegetation in Coastal Talukas of Kachchh District 36 17: The status of upper tier of vegetation in Coastal Talukas of Jamnagar District 36 18: Diversity indices of birds in Kachhch and Jamangar 37 19: Jaccard’s similarity index among different talukas, Kachhch 38 20: Jaccard’s similarity index among different talukas, Jamangar 38 21: Source-wise irrigation in costal talukas 43 22: Saline soils (sq km) in the talukas 46 23: Distribution of industries major and medium in the coastal talukas 48 24: The industries and number of employees in MSME sector 49 25: SIR planned around the Gulf of Kachchh 49 26: SEZs approved around the Gulf of Kachchh 50 27: Traffic and cargo handled by medium ports 51 28: Number of vehicle registered in Jamnagar district 54 29: Number of vehicle registered in Kachchh district 55 30: Stages of excavation at Dholavira 58 31: Historically important sites in Jamnagar 61 32: Projection of Solid waste generation in Major urban centres. 67 33: Results of coastal water monitoring by GPCB 69 34: Projected Urban Water Demand 77 35: Issues identified talukawise with conservation plans 79
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ACKOWLEDGEMENTS
The ecological profile of each coastal taluka of Gulf of Kachchh was carried out in a time period of one year. Working on the project and coordinating with other team members was a different experience. I thank the partners for their support and help that enabled us to bring out the present publication.
Due acknowledgment goes to all the experts and Institutes for sharing the information and without their cooperation and support it was very difficult to complete the task in the given time.
We extend our gratitude to the Head of the following Institutions, who took personnel care in sharing the information as and when demanded:
1. Gujarat Ecology Commission, Gandhinagar. 2. Industrial Extension Bureau (iNDEXTb), Gandhinagar. 3. Gujarat Fisheries Statistics, Commissioner of Fisheries, Gandhinagar. 4. Gujarat Water Resources Development Corporation (GWRDC),
Gandhinagar. 5. Gujarat Water Supply and Sewerage Board (GWSSB), Gandhinagar. 6. Gujarat Livestock Development Board, Gandhinagar. 7. Wild life Division of Gujarat, Gandhinagar. 8. Division of Management plans, Forest department, Gandhinagar. 9. Gujarat Ecological Education and Research (GEER) Foundation,
Gandhinagar. 10. Gujarat Water Resources Development Corporation (GWRDC), Rajkot. 11. India Meteorological Department. 12. Director of Census Operations, Gujarat. 13. Rajokot Zilla Panchayat, Statistical Department, Rajkot. 14. Rajokot Zilla Panchayat, Agriculture Department, Rajkot. 15. Rajokot Zilla Panchayat, Irrigation Department, Rajkot. 16. Rajkot Archeology Department, Rajkot. 17. Pachim Gujarat Vij Company Limited (PGVCL), Corporate Office, Rajkot. 18. Pachim Gujarat Vij Company Limited (PGVCL) Bhuj Circle, Bhuj. 19. Jamnagar Zilla Panchayat Kacheri, Agricultural Department, Jamnagar.
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20. Jamnagar Zilla Panchayat Kacheri, Statistical Department, Jamnagar. 21. Jamnagar Zilla Panchayat Kacheri, Irrigation Department, Jamnagar. 22. Jamnagar Mahanagar Seva Sadan, Solid waste division, Jamnagar. 23. Jamnagar Jilla Seva Sadan-4, Und Irrigation division, Jamnagar. 24. Pachim Gujarat Vij Company Limited (PGVCL), Jamnagar revenue
department, Jamnagar. 25. Pachim Gujarat Vij Company Limited (PGVCL), Jamnagar division 1, 2
and 3 Jamnagar. 26. Gandhidham Municipal Corporation, solid waste division, Gandhidham. 27. Pachim Gujarat Vij Company Limited (PGVCL), Gandhidham division
office, Gandhidham. 28. Pachim Gujarat Vij Company Limited (PGVCL), Khambhalia division
office, Khambhalia. 29. Gujarat Agricultural University, Anand. 30. Maharaja Sayajirao University, Vadodara. 31. Lalpur Gram panchayat, Lalpur. 32. Dwarka Nagarpalika, Dwarka .
The efforts of field team is worth mentioning and without their constant
travelling and survey work the report in present form could not be achieved.
Last but not the least, we are thankful to the GEC staff for their continuous
support and co-operation during the entire project.
Dr. Deepa Gavali Director (Acting)
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BACKGROUND
Gujarat has the longest coastline of 1600 km in the country, comprising of major
geomorphic segments namely; Gulf of Khambhat, Gulf of Kachchh, Saurashtra coast
and Coast of South Gujarat. Gujarat Ecology Commission prepared ecological
profiling of coastal talukas of Gulf of Khambhat in 2011 and such an exercise help
policy makers to develop the best management practices by providing an overview
of status of ecological process at the ground level. In continuation to that exercise
and relevance of Gulf of Kachchh, which is identified as critical habitat by the Union
Ministry of Environment and Forests, the present study was undertaken. The
objectives of the study under the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM)
programme are:
1. To prepare management decision support document that will help plan for
development activities with an overview of the ecological conditions of the
area.
2. To create an ecological and environment data bank at taluka level to utilise it
as a component of management support system.
3. To identify the environment issues of the coastal talukas of Gulf of Kachchh.
The study area consisted of 14 coastal talukas surrounding the Gulf of Kachchh (22°
15’ N to 22° 50’ N and 68° 20’ E to 70° 40’ E) as indicated below;
District Taluka
Devhoomi Kalyanpur, Khambhalia, Okhamandal (Dwarka)
Jamnagar Jamnagar, Lalpur, Jodiya
Morbi Maliya
Kachchh Abdasa-Naliya, Anjar, Bhachau, Gandhidham, Lakhpat, Mandvi, Mundra
These regions with their fragile ecosystems have experienced rapid industrialization
and urbanization in the last two decades. The present study aimed to create an
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ecological database and identify various environmental issues that would assist the
management support system for ICZM. The section divided into general details and
major issues of the study area with management plan.
Location map of the Study Area
N
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I APPRAOCH & METHODOLOGY
The study divided into three important components: 1). Secondary data collection, 2). Primary data collection and 3). Analysis and integration of the data.
The detailed methodology followed described underneath:
1.1 Secondary data collection:
Secondary data collected from the relevant government agencies and research organizations. The quantum of data collected described below:
(i) Social baseline data from census (1991, 2001 and 2011) for each of the talukas on the following variables.
Demography (male female ratio), population growth index. Occupation (workers, non-workers, agriculturists and farm laborers) and active
fisherman (Directorate of Fish Statistics). Industries and demand for workers trends of farm workers and fishers. Livestock for the last 20 years; Changes in livestock composition (data from
Directorate of Animal Husbandry). Water assessment – Groundwater: The changes in the following parameters
over the last 20 years at taluka level evaluated. Data procured from GWRDC on payment basis. Aquifer types and conditions Ground water structure and capacity Rainfall and runoff/recharge ratio Ground water resource assessments from GWRDC Ground water depth and quality data, including salinity data from GWRDC Degree of dependency on ground water for irrigation and domestic purpose Ground water demand and supply Ground water recharge- data Saline water intrusion from sea and Ranns and factors affecting RO water use by industry and its supply for domestic purpose (Mentioned
wherever applicable).
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Cases of wastewater recycling (Mentioned wherever applicable). Coastal industries, ports and thermal power plants
o Salt industries o Ports and Jettys o Refineries o Mining o Thermal power plants
(ii) Land environment: For terrain study The Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN) was derived
from the Aster Gdem datasets using the TIN modeling tool. Changes in the following parameters over the last 20 years at taluka level are
studied. Remote sensing images for the year 1997 and 2013 procured from NRSA and the land use mapping done as per the guidelines by partner organization, FES. For geo-rectification, ERDAS IMAGINE software version 9.2 used. The Arc GIS 10.0 software was used to retrieve the following processing
and analysis: Land use: changes in the various categories and trends of the same Land cover pattern
Apart from RS data secondary data was obtained for the following variables:
Area under unprotected vidis and grasslands (Forest Department Working plan)
Cropping pattern over the last 25 years. Change in cropping pattern
described in detailed (Directorate of Agriculture).
(iii) Forest, Protected Areas and Biodiversity:
Management plans for the protected areas obtained from the Forest Department, viz., Marine National Park and sanctuary, Khijadiya sanctuary, Wild Ass Sanctuary, Naliya Grasslands, Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary and Great Rann Sanctuary. The following variable reviewed.
Forest areas and forest cover
Mangrove area and mangrove cover
Protected Areas, their extent and flagship species
Trend in population of flagship and key species
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Marine biodiversity
Rare and threatened flora and fauna
(iv) Cultural heritage sites of Archeological Importance:
Data on Heritage sites from Office of Archeology Department in the Jamnagar and Kachchh District on the follwinng collected.
Fossil sites
Historical sites
Religious sites-temples
(v) Important institutions in the coastal zone
Marine National Park Authority, Jamnagar
Marine Research Station, Jamnagar
Fisheries Research Station, Okha
Service assessment
Important urban hubs considered for the present study include Jamangar, Gandhidham, Mundra and Mandvi. Other important towns and municipalities were Dhrol, Kambhalia, Mithapur, Sikka, Vadinar, Bedi, Dwarka, Naliya, Bhachau, Adipur, Anjar, Jodiya and Okha.
Since most of the urban centres added under class D cities, past data was not available and wherever available incorporated. The data for the last 15 years collected and analyzed for the following set of variables.
Demand of water per capita Status of basic amenities (hospitals, schools, street light, road and public
transport, linkages with important centres of the state) Effectiveness of drain storm channel and sewage system
Energy
Use of biogas and fuelwood by locals
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Coastal and Marine Environment
Major emphasis given on the fishing, which is the important livelihood of the region. Associated with fishing the state of art of the mangroves and breeding ground of the fishes assessed. Following is the list of parameters assessed.
Number of fish landing stations per taluka Total fishers, active fishers, number and types of boats, fishing gadgets,
pagadiya fishery (Fishery statistics) Fish catch trends (Fishery statistics) Port and shipping development existing and proposed (economics and trade,
environments aspects)
Wastewater generation
The important urban areas considered for the estimation and information on the following.
Generation of solid and domestic sewage in important urban centers of each taluka and future projections (Urban Development Authority)
Industrial effluent generation and disposal mechanism (from industries)
1.2 Primary data collection is mainly on the biodiversity of each taluka.
Biodiversity rich areas were marked out from the satellite imagery data using the grid method. In each grid transects were laid were laid and biodiversity status was evaluated. Transects were laid in a manner that it represented each of the ecosystem viz. terrestrial, wetland and coastal.
Random quadrate sampling technique used and data on the following parameters was collected.
Vegetation
Belt transect of size 1 Km X 500 m was laid. In case of terrestrial systems, all the three tiers were covered (Herbs, shrubs and trees). The size of the quadrate fixed as 10 X 10 m for trees, 5 X 5 m for shrubs and 1X 1 m for herbs. Around 2800 quadrates in talukas of Kachchh district and 1640 quadrates in Jamnagar district were l-aid.
All the species falling within the quadrate listed and their number noted down. In case of marine ecosystem belt transect was laid based on terrain identified from Bhuvan and Google earth images. The mangroves and associated species noted.
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Figure 1:The Transects taken in Lakhpat and Abdasa-Naliya Taluka
Figure 2: The Transects taken in Anjar, Gandhidham, Mandvi and Mundra taluka
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Figure 3: The Transects taken in Bhachau taluka
Figure 4: The Transects taken in Jamnagar, Lalpur and Jodiya taluka
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Figure 5: The Transects taken in Dwarka and Khambhalia taluka
Figure 6: The Transects taken in Kalyanpur taluka
Fauna
Fauna includes herpetofauna, aves and mammals. The survey for the faunal studies carried out during summer and postmonsoon, to cover the resident and migratory species (especially in case of birds). In case of wetlands of Jamnagar due to low rainfall in 2011-12, the wetlands were dry and no /few bird species sighted. However, good rainfall recorded in the last week of September 2013 and thus there was low population of water birds reported from the study area during the survey time.
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Belt transects was laid and spot identification technique (Javed and Kaul, 2002) was followed for avifauna. The time of the sampling was set as early morning when the activity of the birds was more. GPS, macrohabitat and microhabitat noted down for each location. Threats like destruction of habitat or presence of prey species
observed. Bird identified using Grimmett et al., (2001).
In the case of mammal direct sightings, if any, were recorded and the indirect evidence such as animal burrows/holes, dung, pellets, feeding signs, pug marks, tracks, Quills etc were noted(Singh, 2013). Reptiles present in transects were also recorded further the indirect evidences in the form of shaded skin of snake etc was also recorded (Daniel, 1983).
Intertidal survey
Intertidal survey conducted once during the entire study time tor record the benthos, seaweeds and corals. The survey emphasized on coral and associated species. Corals identified using standard books and reference material.
1.3 Analysis and Integration of the data
Data analysis and projections
The primary data pooled together for each quadrate and the following parameters estimated for each of the taluka.
Vegetation: Species diversity, species density, IVI, species evenness and richness.
Fauna: The diversity and the density were calculated and Shanon-Wiener similarity index used to estimate the evenness. Jaccard’s similarity index calculated between the two different seasons.
Rare and endangered species: A checklist of rare and endangered species based on IUCN Red list (2011) is prepared.
Various immediate threats faced by the species indicated.
Analysis
Integration of the primary and secondary data done to prepare the thematic maps using GIS:
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Physical environment- rainfall, drainage, geology, geomorphology, slope etc., Changes in LULC – Urban area, industrial areas, Agriculture, Forests,
grasslands and scrublands. Hot spots with regards to availability of ground water (GW) and overuse of
GW Biological hotspots (terrestrial, coastal & marine and heritage sites) Pressure on the existing natural resources: available grazing land, fodder
production vs livestock population, conversion of grazing land and agriculture land for other purpose.
Future trend of population, industrialization and surface irrigation development (eg, SSP and Kalpasar) and its impact on ground water quality and availability. Based on the data generated the changes in the land ecology would be prepared and trends discussed on the increase or decrease of fallow lands/agricultural lands/open lands. Change in agriculture pattern of each taluka in relation with the irrigation facility and industrial development was done.
Status of irrigation facilities at taluka level; dependency on ground water or minor irrigation scheme or Narmada waters.
Growth rate of urban centers and future demand of various resource base. Number of sewage and effluent treatment plant (capacity vs waster water
generation, maintenance, technology used and future needs)
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2 ABOUT THE STUDY AREA
General details of the study area include the physical environment (climate, geology,
soil) and biological environment (forests, flora and fauna). Each of the section is
presented in detailed.
As per the present satellite data, the total coastline of the Gulf of Kachchh is 550 km.
Out of this; major part of it is muddy as about 90 % of the coast is lined with
mudflat. The rocky coast is less and it is only 10 % of the coastline.
Characteristic of coastal line of the Gulf of Kachchh
Coast Muddy coast (km)
Sandy coast (km)
Rocky coast (km)
Total coastline (km)
Southern coast 80 - 20 250 Northern coast 75 20 5 300
2.1 Geo-environment
The study area falls in arid and semi arid belt of the country characterised by low
rainfall and frequent droughts.
The northern shore of the Gulf of Kachchh stretches about 300 km, with dissected
coastline. The eastern part of the Gulf is muddy in nature with extensive mud flats.
The western part forms the northern shore of the Gulf of Kachchh and is sandy/silty
in nature with narrow beaches. The drainage follows the region slope ie., South West
and South direction. The important rivers of this region include Kali, Godhatad,
Kehari, Mithi, Berachiya, Kankavati, Sai, Vingadi, Kharod, Rukmavati, Nagmati and
Bhukhi.
The southern shore of the Gulf of Kachchh is about 250 km long, highly crenulated
and complex in nature with mudflats, offshore islands, platforms and narrow
beaches. The important rivers are Gomti, Khari, Bhogat, Ghee, Sihan, Aaji, Und,
Demi, Bavani, Jhinjhera, Kankavati and Machchhu.
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Geologically the study area is divided into two sections viz., the northern Kachchh
basin and Kathiawar Peninsula in the south. Sedimentary rock dominates the
Kachchh district, whereas igneous rocks dominate Jamnagar and Rajkot districts.
The Kachchh basin represent one of the most complex geological setup of the
country with highly fragile, faulted and folded rock formation and prolonged
history of seismic activity (Figure 7). Major earthquakes recorded in the region
include those in 1819, 1956 and 2001.
Figure 7: Geology of Kachchh
On the other hand, geologically, Saurashtra represent (Figure 8) past active volcanic
phase that took place between Upper Cretaceous and continued till Tertiary
(Ecocene). These volcanic activities led to lava flow that latter solidified to form
basalt and its derivatives. Younger Tertiary (Gaj Formation, Dwarka Formation) and
Pleistocene (Miliolite Formation) rocks are exposed in Okha-mandal region.
Holocene formations are present mainly as valley-filled deposits, mudflats, beaches
and coral reefs.
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Figure 8: Geology of Jamnagar
Soils of Kachchh are coarse grained sandy, sandy loam and calcareous in nature.
These soils fall mainly under two Orders, namely Aridisol and Entisol. The soils
have the characteristics feature like high salinity, sodicity and gully erosion. Being
coastal talukas, closeness to the sea make the soil prone to salinity.
Soils of Saurashtra soils are dominantly Entisol and Inceptisol Order occurinbg on
different landforms of hilly terrain. The soils of Okha and Maliya are having saline
and sodic nature due to their vicinity to sea and Ranns.
Earthquake incidences
Kachchh is seismically active area, falling in the highest magnitude zone of V, where
several devastating earthquakes have taken place (Table 1). It is the unstable
structural framework of the crust of the area. With the changing climate and melting
of the polar ice caps at fast rate, the isostatic balance of the crust of the earth is apt to
change causing the structurally weak areas to readjust. In such a situation, Kachchh
would experience the highest impact resulting in occurrence of higher magnitude
earthquakes more frequently. That in turn could cause the net sea level change of
much higher order than in the other structurally stable areas. In view of the seismic
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vulnerability of the region such type of very specific likely impact of the climate
change for the area is a matter of concern and need to be closely studied.
Table 1: A list of major earthquake events in Kachchh and Jamnagar since the 1819
Date Time
Location Mag & Intn
Details
27 Jun 1819 Bhuj Accompanied by a loud noise 19 Apr 1845 Lakhpat Sixty six shocks some which were destructive 31 Oct 1940 Dhrol-Jamnagar
area VI. Maximum observed intensity This earthquake might be the same as the previous event reported in Kachchh for which no date (day and month) or origin times are available.
26 Jan 2001 Bhachau, Rapar Richter scale 7.9
The most severe earthquake of the centaury, felt all over the country, lead to severe damage in Kachchh, Ahemdabad, Jamnagar and Surat District. More then 20000 people killed and 167000 reported injured. Total property damage was around 500 billion rupees.
28 Jan 2001 01:02:10
Suvi-Rapar area, Mw 5.8:
A moderate to strong aftershock struck Gujarat, at 06:32 AM local time causing considerable panic in Gujarat. Tremors were also felt in adjoining parts of Maharashtra & Rajasthan.
Dwarka, capital of the Lord-King Krishna and Dvaramati, Dvaravati and Kushsthali is
the ancient names of the city. It had six well-organized sectors, residential and
commercial zones, wide roads, plazas, palaces and many public utilities. A hall
called "Sudharma Sabha" was built to hold public meetings. The city also boasted
having the possession of a good sea harbour. Dwarka has submerged six times and
modern day Dwarka is the 7th such city to be built in the area.
Dwaraka was a well-planned city with a modern and technologically advanced
harbour suitably designed to deal with the marine traffic of large ships entering the
port.. A probable earthquake around 0 A.D. near the historically important city of
Dwarka is recorded as a zone of liquefaction in archeological excavations of the
ancient city (Rajendran et al., 2003). Between 1983 and 1990, the well-fortified
township of Dwaraka was discovered, extending more than half mile from the shore.
The township was built in six sectors along the banks of a river. The foundation of
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boulders on which the City's walls erected proves that the land was reclaimed from
the sea.
Gujarat region had experienced at least three large killer earthquakes about 1500,
3000 and 5000 years BP respectively. Geomorphological evidences show beyond
doubt that the North-Western part of the Indian landmass was seismically active
during the last 10,000 years. These killer quakes are likely to have caused the shifting
of the rivers and sea level fluctuation including the sinking of the legendary city.
2.2 Geomorphology and Coastal Process
The coastal configuration of the Gulf is highly irregular with number of islands,
creeks and bays (Figure 9). The southern shore had numerous islands and inlets
covered with mangroves and surrounded by coral reefs. The northern shore is
predominantly sandy or muddy confronted by numerous shoals.
Figure 9: Bathymetry of the Gulf of Kachchh
(Source: Kunte et. al, 2003)
All along the coast, small rivers drain into the Gulf and carry small quantity of
freshwater during SW monsoon. These rivers have broad valleys and the riverbed is
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mostly composed of coarse sand and gravel. Sediments get transported into the Gulf
by river discharging from north and south of the shore along with those denuded
from the shores and aeolian sands. There is a network of creeks and alluvial marshy
tidal flats in the interior region. Dredge spoil from Kandla creek and the approach
channel add 5.4 x 106 T of sediment to the Gulf every year.
Sediment sources in the Gulf are a resultant of wave erosion of the rocks bordering
the shores of the Gulf and from River Indus. Variation in the bathymetry, bottom
topography and the abundance of mica and clay minerals on the continental shelf
north and south of the Gulf a macro tidal bay, indicate the presence of two distinct
sedimentary environments (Nair et al., 1982).
The bathymetry of the Gulf is very irregular at the mouth and the central part of the
Gulf and consists of pinnacles and scarps ranging from 6 to 32 m (Nair et al., 1982).
Towards the head, the relief is subdued due to the covering of fine-grained
sediments. A large area of the floor at the mouth of the Gulf, at depths greater than
20 m, is covered with algal limestone, aragonite, cemented sandstones and dead
corals. On the low-energy margin of the Gulf, created by the shelter provided by the
reefs especially on the southern side, wide tidal flats with patches of corals in the
inter-tidal and sub-tidal zones are present. The remainder of the Gulf consists of silt
and clay with patches of fine sand. Silt-size materials are found at the mouth, fine silt
and medium silt occur at the southern side of the Gulf at its head (Hashmi et al.,
1978).
In the last 30 years or so, some of the physiographic changes observed around the
head of the Gulf include accretion, migration and joining of different creeks,
reorientation of tidal current ridges and regression of sea (Wagle 1979). These
changes appear to be related to tectonically activated lineaments passing through the
head of the Gulf.
The Gulf has negative water balance i.e, annual evaporation (7,350 Mm3) always
exceeds the sum of precipitation (3,087 Mm3) and river runoff (140 Mm3). Turnover
time varies from around 15 days near the mouth to around 8 days near the head (Sen
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Gupta & Deshmukhe, 2000).
Physical Oceanography: Studies related to physical environment/ physical
oceanography in the Gulf have been mainly done for the various development
projects as a part of evaluating the impact due to changes in the physical regimes by
construction and operations of the projects e.g, ports, jetties, pipelines dredging
activities etc.
In the Gulf, tidal currents dominate the flow, as it experience macro-tidal regimes. It
is downstream to upstream during the high tide and the reverse during the low tide.
Maximum velocities occur during mid-tide, which is around 4 knots associated with
high wave energy. Spring currents are 60 to 65% stronger than neap currents.
Bottom currents are periodic, bimodal and flow parallel to the bottom contour.
Currents though tidal, are monsoonal in origin. The flow adjusts its directional
orientation with the changing direction of wind affected by changing seasons of the
year.
The Gulf, because of its peculiar shape is marked by high tides, the average
amplitude of mean high water spring tide at Okha and Navlakhi being 3.47 and 7.31
m respectively (Table 2).
Table 2: The tidal elevations (in meter) along the Gulf of Kachchh
Station MHWS MHWN MLWS MLWN MSL Okha 3.47 2.96 1.20 0.41 2.00 Vadinar 5.3 4.3 1.7 0.70 3.00 Sikka 5.38 4.35 1.74 0.71 3.04 Mundra 5.50 5.00 2.00 1.20 3.40 Rozi 5.87 5.40 1.89 1.00 3.60 Kandla 6.66 5.17 1.81 0.78 3.90 Navlakhi 7.21 6.16 2.14 0.78 4.20
(Source: Nair, 2002)
MHWS – mean high water spring, MHWN – mean high water neap, MLWN - mean low water neap, MLWS – mean low water spring, MSL – mean sea level.
The tides are of mixed semi-diurnal type with unequal amplitudes. High tidal range
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and associated tidal currents are effective geological agents that have played a
significant role in sedimentation process and shaping the bottom topography (Nair
et. al 1982).
Tidal flows and bathymetry control the circulation in the Gulf, though wind effect is
also evident. Hence, the currents are bimodal with two prominent directions -
landward during flood and seaward during ebb (Figure 10).
Figure 10: Current pattern during the ebb tides
(Source: Ramakrishnan and Rawat 2012)
Model studies indicated that the observed amplification of semi-diurnal tides in the
Gulf results from a combination of quarter-wavelength resonance, geometric effect
due to decrease in width of the channel (funnelling effect) and friction (Shetye, 1999;
Unnikrishnan et al., 1999).
Because of arid to semi-arid climate with low rainfall, the nature and distribution of
sediments point to the over-riding influence of the high velocity of the tidal currents
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in the Gulf. The tidal influence appears to be the principal cause for transporting
sediments from adjoining shelves into the Gulf (Figure 11). Redistribution of
sediments results from its interactions with tidal currents with irregular topography
of the Gulf (Hashmi et al., 1978).
Figure 11: Particle movement in the Gulf
(Source: Ramakrishnan and Rawat 2012)
Turbulence over irregular topography prevents accumulation of sediment in the
middle of the Gulf. Babu et al., (2005) studied and modelled the behaviour of
currents of Gulf of Kachchh concluded the currents to be predominantly tide-driven,
responding significantly to the seasonally changing wind pattern.
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Eddies present in the Gulf of Kachchh (GoK) confirm that they are permanent
features of the GoK circulation. Accurate estimation of residual currents and eddies
in an active industrial coastal zone like the Gulf of Kachchh is important because of
its potential applications with respect to discharge of pollutants. Though GoK is
considered as a well-mixed system, recent studies revealed that only the central Gulf
is well mixed. Stratification in temperature and salinity is noticed in the eastern Gulf,
where a cold and high saline tongue is observed in the subsurface layers. Model
results indicated the effect of seasonally changing winds the circulation. During
southwest monsoon, the predominant westerly winds enhance the flood currents by
about 20% and reduce the ebb currents significantly. In spite of semi-arid climate
and lack of major rivers flowing into it, the Gulf is highly turbid with suspended
sediment concentrations (SSC) during October-November 2002 ranging between 0.5
mg/l and 674 mg/l.
2.3 Climate
The climate of the coastal talukas along Gulf of Kachchh illustrated two distinct
conditions. The extreme west region that included talukas of Lakhpat and Abdasa
showed arid climate with very hot summers; dry and cold winters and scanty
rainfall (250 mm). On the other hand, talukas from Mandvi to Bhachau received
annual rainfall of 400 mm.
Rainfall difference along the Jamnagar coast recorded. Jamnagar coast being at the
head region of Gulf of Kachchh received more rain and the annual average rainfall
recorded was 605.0 mm. However, as one move towards outer gulf decline in
rainfall reported and the average rainfall of Okha Dwarka and Kalyanpur taluka was
500.9 mm and 493.6 mm respectively.
Thus, the rainfall pattern around the Gulf of Kachchh differed and this influenced
the vegetation pattern recorded in the region.
Cyclones: Cyclones striking in the Gulf of Kachchh or Arabian Sea are low, but
increase in cyclones from 1990 onwards recorded. Around 40 cyclones hit the region
from 1893 to 2010. However, in span of 20 years from 1990 to 2010, 10 cyclones with
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different intensities have struck the region (Table 3). There is increase in the cyclones
striking the region after 2000.
Table 3: Cyclone hitting Gujarat coast
S No. Year Month Intensity Track follow 1. 1893 Nov STR-SSTR Veraval – Bhavnagar. 2. 1894 Oct SSTR Jaffrabad - South Gujarat 3. 1896 Nov SSTR Off Jaffrabad – Bhopal, Allahabad 4. 1897 Jul DEPR Off Jaffrabad - Veraval-Gulf of Kachchh 5. 1897 Sept DEPR Veraval – Off Dwaraka-NW 6. 1903 Jul STR Off Jaffrabad – Veraval- N 7. 1909 Sept DEPR Surat – Jaffrabad - Kandla-NW 8. 1920 Jun SSTR Veraval - Ahmedabad 9. 1925 Jun DEPR Off Veraval – Kandla 10. 1925 Jun DEPR Bharuch – Bhavnagar – Okha 11. 1926 Spet DEPR Veraval – N –W- N 12. 1933 May DEPR Veraval – N 13. 1934 Oct DEPR Dissipated Off Jaffrabad 14. 1935 Jun DEPR Gulf of Khambhat 15. 1944 Aug STR Ahmedabad-Kandla-Off Jaffrabad-W 16. 1944 Oct
DEPR Pune-Mumbai-Off Jaffrabad -Ahmedabad
17. 1947 Apr SSTR Arabian Sea-Bharuch-Along West Coast 18. 1948 Sept SSTR Mumbai-Off Diu-Porbandar 19. 1954 July DEPR Vadinar-Karanchi 20. 1959 Oct
DEPR- STR Jaffrabad -Veraval-across the Arabian Sea-Oman
21. 1960 Jul DEPR Off Dwaraka-Mandavi 22. 1962 Sept DEPR Surat-Jafarabad-Dwaraka-Mandavi 23. 1964 Aug STR Jafarabad 24. 1969 Jun DEPR Jafarabad-Bhavnagar. 25. 1973 Jul DEPR Veraval-Porbandar-Vadinar-North. 26. 1975 Jun DEPR Okha west 27. 1976 May SSTR Jafarabad-Ahmedabad. 28. 1982 Nov DEPR Veraval-Ahmedabad-NE 29. 1983 Jun DEPR Veraval-Rajkot 30. 1985 Oct
DEPR Jafarabad-West of Bhavnagar-Jafrabad- Surat NE
31. 1989 Jun DEPR
Junagadh-Rajkot-Navalakhi-Vadinar - NW
32. 1996 Jun SSTR Kandla-Rajkot 33. 1996 Oct SSTR Kandla-Veraval-Jafarabad
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S No. Year Month Intensity Track follow 34. 1998 Jun SSTR Porbandar-Jamnagar- Kandla 35. 1999 Jun SSTR Porbandar-Dwarka-Nalia. 36. 2001 May SSTR N-Saurashtra- Kachchh 37. 2004 May DEPR NW off Maharashtra 38. 2007 June STR NW Gujarat- Kachchh- Karachi 39. 2009 June DEPR NW Saurastra- Kachchh 40. 2010 June SSTR Off Sindh- Karachi_ Northern Kachchh
SSTR: 88-117km/h DEPR: upto 60 km/h STR: 60-87km/h Source: IMD website
Records of destruction due to cyclones are available from 1975 onwards. The data showed that the severity of cyclones increased from 1975 and the extent of damage. In 1998, losses due to cyclone to the tune of Rs. 1865 crores recorded. This cyclone was very severe which had an impact on the mangroves and large scale uprooting of mangroves observed (Table 4).
Table 4: Devastation by major cyclones
No. Date Landfall/Devastation
1. October 19-24,1975
Crossed Saurashtra coast about 15 km to the northwest of Porbandar. Rajkot area with maximum wind speeds of 160-180 Km/Hr. 85 people died and caused considerable damage to property (estimated to be about Rs. 75 crores.)
2. May 31-June 5, 1976
The storm crossed Saurashtra coast with maximum wind speed of 167KM/hr. Around 70 people were killed 70 and 51 villages were affected badly, 25,000 houses damaged and 4500 Cattle heads perished. The total damaged was estimated to be Rs. 3 crores.
4. October 28 to November 2 , 1981
Crossed Saurastra coast close to and west of Mangrol shortly after mid-night of November 1 and moved closer to Porbandar in the early morning of November 2nd, moving northeastwards as a severe cyclone upto Jamnagar. About 5700 housed and about an equal number of huts were partially or fully damaged in Junagzarh, Jamnagar districts.
5. November 4 to 9,1982
Crossed south Gujarat coasts 5 km west of Kodinagar (Veraval) 511 persons lost their lives. 12624 Pucca and 54549 Kutchha houses completely destroyed. Damage to crop to the tune of Rs. 127.23 crores.
10. June 5-9 1998
The cyclone crossed Gujarat coast north of Porbandar at 0200 UTC of June 9. The system maintained its intensity till noon when it lay over Gulf of Kutch port. Thence onwards it moved north -east wards and weakened gradually. Total lives lost 1173 and 1774 persons were missing. Losses incurred due to storm were of the
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tune of Rs.1865 crores.
11. May 16-22, 1999
The system caused severe damage in Kutch and Jamnagar districts. Loss of life: 453: Loss of property: Rs. 80 crores. Partial damage: 5153. In Rajasthan loss of life is one. Cattle heads perished: 5104. Houses completely damaged: 50. Partially damaged: 5153
Source: IMD website
Various studies initiated to understand the increase in cyclones in the Arabian Sea.
IMD mapped the path of the severe cyclones and this would aid in disaster
management. Evan et al., (2011) reported that there change in the wind circulation
pattern over the Arabian Sea, which corresponded with the aerosols development in
the Indian Sub continent is responsible for increase in cyclones.
Phet (2010) 1998
With the increase in sea traffic in the region and vulnerability of the region there is
need for integrated management of Coastal waters with special emphasis on the
advanced warning systems and mitigation strategies.
2.4 Demography
Total population around Gulf of Kachchh is 3 million (as per 2011 census) and
represent 5% of total population of Gujarat (Table 5). The population growth in the
region recorded was 24%, which is higher than the population growth of State (5%).
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Population residing in the coastal talukas of Jamnagar coast is 1.7 million, where as
1.2 million reside in coastal taluaks of Kachchh district.
Table 5: Population residing along Jamnagar and Kachchh coastline
1991 2001 2011 Jamnagar coast* 12,19,159 15,49,607 17,61,708 Kachchh coast 7,17,831 9,10,963 12,85,420 Total 19,36,990 24,60,570 30,47,128
* includes Maliya
Population density
Population density for all talukas around the Gulf (in 2011) is 121.19 per sq km,
which is far low than the state average (382 persons/sq km). Further, population
density of Kachchh coastal taluka recorded is 71.77 persons/sq km as compared to
260 persons/sq km that of Jamnagar coastal talukas.
Among all taluaks, Lakhpat taluaka had the lowest density (33.17 persons/sq km)
and Jamnagar had the highest density (725.74 persons/sq km). Abdasa and Lakhpat
are border talukas with harsh conditions promoting low human density.
Talukas like Mundra, Bhachau, Anjar and Mandvi in Kachchh district showed
increase in population density by two folds (Table 6). The post earthquake
industrialisation phase and creation of special economic zones played an important
role in setting up new industries and attracting skilled and unskilled workers. In
case of talukas like Abdasa, Lakhpat and Gandhidham the population density have
increased marginally. Gandhidham taluka created from Anjar and include business
centres and majority of the workers reside in nearby Anjar taluka.
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Table 6: Density (persons/sq km) in coastal talukas of Kachchh district
Mundra Mandvi Abdasa Lakhpat Bhachau Anjar Gandhidham 1991 77.31 102.45 35.92 19.49 56.75 98.38 10.70 2001 93.47 119.67 40.54 26.57 73.14 131.71 14.83 2011 172.53 142.68 48.86 33.17 92.00 174.09 24.07
In case of Jamnagar district, Jamnagar taluka had good human density as compared
to other talukas’ in 1991 and with the establishment of industrial units in this region
the human density increased by 1.5 times in 2011 (Table 7). The industrial growth
also promoted increase in human density in Kalyanpur and Khambhalia talukas’. In
rest of the taluka marginal increase in human density was reported. Jodiya taluka
showed a negative growth and the damage to Navlakhi port post severe cyclone of
2005 could be one of the reason for the negative growth.
Table 7: Density (persons/sq km) in coastal talukas of Jamangar and Rajkot district
Jamnagar Jodiya Kalyanpur Khambhalia Okha-mandal
Lalpur Maliya
1991 471.17 91.91 97.56 140.98 163.99 86.18 86.74 2001 648.58 103.12 113.68 171.91 201.30 94.26 108.41 2011 725.74 98.95 138.81 220.76 227.20 109.61 102.20
The percentage of total workers increased from 1991 to 2011 in Jamangar,
Kalyampur and Khambhalia taluka’s in tune with the industrialisation in the region
(Table 8). In case of other talukas’ in Jamnagar district there was marginal increase
in total workers. In case of Kachchh district, marked increment in total workers
observed in Mundra and Mandvi talukas’, an impact of Mundra SEZ. On the other
hand, talukas like Lakhpat and Bhachau showed decline in total workers in 2011.
The closure of mining areas in Lakhpat could be one of the reasons for decline in
total workers in this taluka.
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Table 8: Workers force in the coastal talukas (figures in percentages)
1991 2001 2011
Talukas / Occupation
Non worker %
Total Worker%
Non worker %
Total Worker%
Non worker %
Total Worker%
JAMNAGAR DISTRICT
Jamnagar 68.55 31.45 66.92 33.08 63.87 36.13
Jodiya 59.76 40.24 58.81 41.19 59.64 40.36 Kalyanpur 59.16 40.84 53.23 46.77 57.97 42.03 Khambhalia 64.61 35.39 60.48 39.52 60.74 39.26 Okhamandal 69.30 30.70 67.81 32.19 67.36 32.64 Lalpur 58.83 41.17 56.86 43.14 56.53 43.47 Maliya 62.94 37.06 61.50 38.50 61.53 38.47
KACHCHH DISTRICT Abdasa-Naliya 59.48 40.52 54.95 45.05 60.75 39.25 Bhachau 62.72 37.28 59.52 40.48 64.39 35.61
Gandhidham 68.02 31.98 64.10 35.90 Lakhpat 58.98 41.02 59.29 40.71 65.73 34.27
Mandvi 63.80 36.20 61.84 38.16 60.62 39.38 Mundra 65.24 34.76 61.65 38.35 54.57 45.43
Anjar 67.51 32.49 65.29 34.71 65.31 34.69
The fishermen population was reported high from Jamnagar, Khambhalia and
Okhamandal fishing centres (Table 9). The good fish stock in the Gulf of Kachchh
and outer continental shelf promoted good fish catch and therefore these talukas’
had fishing population. In case of talukas’ like Anjar and Bhachau decline in fishing
families and active fishermen was observed from 1997 to 2007. The expansions of
Kandla port and increase in saltpans in the mouth of the Gulf of Kachchh have
affected the fishery in the region. Thus, negative growth observed in these two
talukas.
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Table 9: Fishing families, total fishermen population and active fishermen
1997 2003 2007 1997 2003 2007 1997 2003 2007
Families
Total Population
Active Fisherman
Jamnagar 1490 1810 1932 10100 12403 12557 2006 3046 3383 Jodiya 393 474 542 2550 2989 2977 611 781 1061 Khambhalia 1118 1511 1876 8175 10196 12771 1874 2512 3521 Kalyanpur 41 98 207 329 807 1700 75 162 423 Okhamandal 386 692 1425 2678 4548 10895 694 1224 2788 Abadasa 607 819 856 2967 4031 4138 891 1986 1091 Lakhpat 163 197 387 805 918 1721 200 413 436 Bhachau 248 197 228 1167 1006 1068 674 486 219 Anjar 658 466 493 3510 2122 1832 1438 1120 618 Mandvi 522 558 583 3363 3341 3532 1059 2096 1159 Mundra 501 705 930 3078 3979 4725 1423 2411 2392 Gandhidham 645 2678 1555
2.5 Biological environment
The biological environment described includes the description of forests areas and
protected areas from secondary sources like working plan and management plans.
Apart from this floral and faunal composition present in the open areas (for each
taluka) as information collected through primary data collection described.
Entire coastal zone of the Gulf of Kachchh falls in semi-arid zone (Biotic province-4B:
Gujarat-Rajwada). Over a dozen vegetation communities are found in the coastal
zone of the gulf. The major vegetation communities or the forest subtypes, as per the
Champion and Seth classification 1968, and natural ecosystems occurring in the
coastal talukas of the Gulf of Kachchh are as follows.
4B – Tidalor swamp forests-mangroves
5/E8– Saline/alkaline scrub Savannah
5/E3 – Babool (Acacia nilotica) forests
6B/C1 – Desert thorn forests
6B/DSI – Zizyphus scrub
6B/DS2 – Tropical Euphorbia
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6E1–Euphorbiascrubs
6E2 – Acacia senegal forests
6E3 – Rann saline scrubs
6E4 – Salvadora scrubs
6/DS1 – Cassia auriculata
Prosopis scrubs- a major vegetation type developed during the last four to five
decades
Sueda sp. covered saline lands
Other natural ecosystems occurring in the area are-saline Rann, inter-tidal
mudaflats, rock and sandy beach, dead and live coral reefs, algal beds, sea-grass
beds, creeks and fresh-water lakes and brackish water bodies.
The main dominant tree and woody species in the coast of the gulf are-Acacia nilotica
(deshibabool), A. Senegal (gorad), A. leucophloea (hermo), Zizyphus sp. (bordi),
Salvadorapersica (kharapiloo), S. oleonoides (mithapiloo), Commiphora wightii (gugal),
Balanite ssp. (ingoriyo), Capparis sp. (kerdo), Euphorbia sp. and Prosopis chilensis.
Neem, Nariyeli, Mango, Badam, Vad, Pipado are normally grown in the villages.
Prosopis chilensis is an exotic but it is most dominant in the entire coast. It is a major
fuel wood supplier to the villagers.
Forest areas
The forests in the study area fall within the jurisdiction of two major forest divisions
viz., Jamnagar Forest Division and Kachchh Forest Division.
Jamnagar Forest Division comprise of forest areas distributed both in the coastal and
inland regions. The coastal and salt marsh forests are distributed in wetlands along
the coast from Dwarka to Okha, Jamnagar and Jodiya. Taluka-wise distribution of
forest area is given in table 10. Jodiya taluka has the maximum forest area with
15.51% of geographical area under forests followed by Lalpur taluka. Lalpur taluka
has terrestrial forest plantations and grasslands area. Important grasses of the region
include palatable grass like Zinzavo (Bothrochloa iscahaeum) Ratad (Themeda
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quadrivalvis), Shaniyar (Sehima sulcatum), Moshti (Iscillema prostratum) and Baru
(Sorghum spp.). Unpalatable and economically poor grasses like Lapdu (Aristida
adcenesionsis) Baru (Sorghum halepense) Melanocenchrus jaquamentii etc. reported in
abundance in the forest area, indicative of heavy grazing.
Table 10: Forest areas in different talukas of Jamnagar District
Sr.No Name of District
Name of Taluka
Total Forest Area in ha.
Reserved forest as % of total Geographical Area
1 Jamnagar Jamnagar 1428.4 1.92 2 Jamnagar Dwarka 4261.83 4.01 3 Jamnagar Kalyanpur 3872.15 2.60 4 Jamnagar Khambhalia 1975.91 2.07 5 Jamnagar Lalpur 5301.38 6.23 6 Jamnagar Jodiya 8242.71 15.51
Kachchh Forest Division divided into west and east divisions for better
management. The talukas of Mandvi, Naliya and Lakhpat fall under the jurisdiction
of the west division. Naliya and Lakhpat have maximum area under forest with
28.63% and 29.41% of the geographical area respectively (Table 11). The forests of
this region are under the category of reserve forest area, coastal and marine forests
and grasslands called rakhals.
Table 11: The various categories of forest area of talukas of Kachchh district
Sr. No
Name of Range
Reserved Forest area (in ha.)
Section -- 4 area (in ha)
Un-classified Forest area (in ha)
Total Forest area (in ha)
% of geographical area under forest
KACHCHH -WEST DIVISION 1 Mandvi 1333.38 2000.51 3042.77 6376.66 4.47 2 Naliya
(Abdasa) 56769.97 9948.00 2772.70 68890.67 28.63
3 Dayapar 35590.85 19590.80 300.00 55481.56 29.41 KACHCHH - EAST DIVISION
1 Anjar 10012.51 1753.94 260.00 12026.45 8.8 2 Bhachau 53.97 1552.88 3900.89 5507.74 2.72 3 Rapar 10556.78 16722.16 459.13 27738.07 9.16
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Mangrove vegetation occurs in the inter-tidal zone, all along the Gulf of Kachchh up
to Jakhau, but is with stunted growth except mangroves in Mundra, Mandvi and
Naliya talukas. The height of the mangrove ranged from 5 to 7 meters. Cher
(Avicenna officianalis) is the main species in these forest areas with Rhizophora
mucronata interspersed.
Gulf of Kachchh along with the Western Mangroves in and around Kori creek
supports the second largest mangrove area in the world. Mangroves in the gulf have
low height due to high tidal amplitude and salinity of the seawater. Mangroves in
the four districts-Devbhumi-Dwarka, Jamnagar, Morbi and Kachchh districts have
been notified as forests and taluka-wise status is given as below.
District Taluka Notified mangrove area (ha)
Remarks
DevbhumiDwarka Dwarka Kalyanpur Khambhaaliya
8,020 2150
24,635
Majority of the notified mangroves are under Section 4 of the IFA 1972 but a part of it is the reserve forest Jamnagar Jamnagar
Jodiya 19,288 10,500
Morbi Maliya-Miyana 7,770 Navalakhi forest Total in the south coast 74,363
Kachchh Mundra Abdasa-Lakhapat
5,330 Mundra mangroves are reserve forest
52,950 West Mangroves is not a part of the Gulf of kachchh but it is reserve forests
A large part of the notified mangrove area is without mangrove cover and some of it
is leased out to the salt industries. A large part of the mangrove cover is outside the
boundaries of notified mangroves but they are managed as forests. Some mangrove
area in Mundra is not a part of notified mangroves.
The status of mangrove cover, as per the recent report of the Forest Survey of India
in the Gulf of Kachchh and the West mangroves depicted in table 12.
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Table 12: Mangrove cover in the Gulf of Kachchh and the West Mangroves (in sq. km)
Districts Very dense mangroves
Moderately Dense mangroves
Sparse mangroves
Total
Jamnagar and DevbhumiDwarka
0 28 139 167
Morbi (Maliya-Miyan taluka)
0 1 3 4
Total in south coast 0 29 142 171 Kachchh 0 118 671 789 Grand Total 0 147 813 960
Out of total mangrove cover of 1103 sq. km in Gujarat, about 960 sq. km mangroves
are in the study area. Very dense mangroves having canopy density above 70 % as it
exist in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Sundarbans and Bhitakanika in Orissa is
absent in the Gulf of Kachchh. About 80 % of mangrove cover in the area is open and
scrubby and the moderately dense mangroves having canopy density above 40 %
and below 70 % is about one fifth of total mangroves. The top height of dense
mangroves varies between 3m and 6 m.
There 42 islands in the marine national park and sanctuary and 20 of them support
mangroves. Each of six islands-Pirotan, Kaludhar, Dedeka-Mundeka, Dhani, Bhaidar
and Chank has mangrove cover area over 100 ha. Mangroves diversity is relatively
high on islands.
Avicennia marina constitutes about 95 % of total mangroves. The species such as
Rhizophoramucranata, ceriopstagal, Aegicerascorniculatum and other species of
Avicennia have share below 5 % of total mangroves. Recently, about half dozen
species are introduced in the Jamnagar coast to improve floral diversity of
mangroves.
Mangrove cover was very low in the early 1980s but increased subsequently due to
afforestation and conservation measures. There has been consistent improvement in
mangrove cover during the last three decades. The recovery in the late 1990s was
very impressive. During the last, two years-from 2011 to 2013, mangrove cover
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improved by 21 sq. km. (8 sq. km in Jamnagar/Devbhumi district, 11 sq. km in
Kachchh district and 2 sq. km in Morbi district).
Protected areas
The study area has four important protected areas viz., Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary,
Kachchh Bustard Sanctuary, Khijadia Bird Sanctuary, Marine National Park and
Sanctuary. The coastal area of the Gulf of Kachchh is represented by the Wildlife
Protected Areas. Four Protected Areas are in the coastal taluka of the Gulf of
Kachchh and other two in the western coast of Kachchh. Most of the Protected Areas
mentioned in the Table 13 have some marine elements and the Marine national Park
and Sanctuary is in the gulf. Details regarding biodiversity status, management
issues and threats to these protected areas are described in Annexure 2.
Table 13: Area of the protected areas with the key species
Name of Protected Area
District Area (ha)
Key species
1. Gaga GIB Sanctuary Devbhum-Dwarka
333 Common Fox, Jackal, Blue Bull, Houbara Bustard
2. Marine National Park and Sanctuary
Devbhum-Dwarka and Jamnagar
45792 Corals, marine life, mangroves, Dugong, Common Dolphin, Porpoise, Jackal, sea birds
3. Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary
Jamnagar 605 Hyaena, Jackal, Blue Bull, Water birds
4. Wild Ass Sanctuary Kachchh 495,370 Wild Ass, Blue bull, Common Fox, Desert Fox, Chinkara, Hyena, Wolf, Jackal, Jungle Cat
5. Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary
Kachchh 44423 Chinkara, Blue bull, Jungle Cat, Desert Cat, Caracal, Common Fox, Hyena, Wolf.
6. Naliya GIB Sanctuary
Kachchh 203 Chinkara, Jungle Cat, Common Fox, Caracal, Hyena, Great Indian Bustard, Lesser Florican.
Great Rann Wildlife Sanctuary and Chharidhandh Conservation Reserve other two
Protected Areas in Kachchh district but they are not in the coastal zone.
There are several key and flagship species indicated in the Table 14. The rare and
threatened species in the study area are described.
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Table 14- Rare and threatened fauna in the coastal talukas in the study area
Species Status Indian Wild Ass Schedule I of WPA 1972, Appendix I of CITES and Vulnerable in the
IUCN Red Data Book. The population was low in 1960s but increasing subsequently.
Indian Wolf Schedule I of WPA 1972, Appendix I of CITES and Vulnerable in the IUCN Red Data Book. Population is declining. About four dozen animals may be in the study area zone
Desert Cat Schedule I of WPA 1972 and not in the threat list of the IUCN Red Data Book
Desert Fox Schedule I of WPA 1972 and not in the threat list of the IUCN Red Data Book
Caracal Schedule I of WPA 1972, Appendix I of CITESbut not listed as threatened species in the IUCN Red Data Book. It has become rare and sightings have declined.
Chinkara Schedule I of WPA 1972 and Vulnerable in the IUCN Red Data Book. Pangolin Schedule I of WPA 1972, Appendix II of CITESbutnot in the threat
list of the IUCN Red Data Book. High possibility of occurrence of this species
Dugong Schedule I of WPA 1972, Appendix I of CITES and Vulnerable in the IUCN Red Data Book. Highly threatened in the Gulf of Kachchh and population may not be more than two dozen.
Great Indian Bustard
Schedule I of WPA 1972 and Critically Endangered the IUCN Red Data Book. About three to four dozen may be surviving in the study area in Kachchh.
Lesser Florican Schedule I of WPA 1972 and Endangered in the IUCN Red Data Book
Houbara Bustard Schedule I of WPA 1972, Appendix II of CITESbutnot in the threat list of the IUCN Red Data Book. High possibility of occurrence of this species
Long-billed Vulture
Schedule I of WPA 1972, Appendix I of CITES and Vulnerable in the IUCN Red Data Book. Sighting is not rare in the coastal zone in the Kachchh and Saurashtra.
Egyptian Vulture Schedule IV of WPA 1972 and Endangered in the IUCN Red Data Book.
Great Avadavat Schedule IV of WPA 1972 and Vulnerable in the IUCN Red Data Book. Rare in the area in Kachchh
Imperial Eagle Schedule I of WPA 1972, Appendix I of CITES and Vulnerable in the IUCN Red Data Book.
Greater Spotted Eagle
Schedule IV of WPA 1972, Appendix II of CITES and Vulnerable in the IUCN Red Data Book.
Lesser Adjutant Schedule IV of WPA 1972 and Vulnerable in the IUCN Red Data Book.
Spiny-tailed Lizard
Schedule II of WPA 1972, Appendix II of CITES and Vulnerable in the IUCN Red Data Book
Green Sea Turtle Schedule I of WPA 1972 and Endangered in the IUCN Red Data Book.
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Olive Ridley Turtle
Schedule I of WPA 1972 and Endangered in the IUCN Red Data Book.
Sea Horse Rare in the Gulf of Kachchh. It was not rare three decades ago but not seen now days.
Bonelia Rare and endemic to the coral reefs in Gulf of Kachchh Corals Schedule I of WPA 1972 and several corals are highly threatened
Primary survey
Vegetation Composition: More than 250 Transects laid for quantification of
terrestrial vegetation throughout the study area. These laid in the open and
wilderness area of each of the talukas. The upper strata (trees and shrubs) and lower
strata (herbs) quantified.
The result showed rich species diversity in Kachchh talukas as compared to that of
Jamnagar talukas (Table 15). The herbaceous layer in Kachchh had 159 species,
whereas only 63 species reported in the Jamnagar taluka. High anthropogenic
activity and absence of fallow lands and wastelands in Jamnagar have resulted in
absence of native vegetation.
Table 15: Species diversity of herbaceous layer in the coastal area of Jamnagar and Kachchh districts
Total species in district Trees and Shrubs Herbs
Jamnagar 42 63
Kachchh 63 159
Within Kachhch, high herbaceous vegetation recorded in Abdasa, Lakhpat and
Mandvi talukas, which had low anthropogenic activity. Bhachau taluka recorded
higher species richness of trees and shrubs, due to presence of intact native
vegetation around Dholavira island, which has low human interference. Based on
the Important Value Index, the vegetation composition showed presence of thorny
species like Prosopis juliflora, Zizyphus nummularia and Capparis decidua (Table 16).
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Table 16: The status of upper tier vegetation in Coastal Talukas of Kachchh District
Taluka Species richness of Trees and shrubs
Species richness of Herbs
Important Value Index Prosopis juliflora
Zizyphus nummularia
Capparis decidua
Gandhidham 17 25 74.4 30.4 40.1 Anjar 16 41 70.8 20.3 12.7 Bhachau 31 47 62.2 14.4 13.3 Lakhpat 19 82 83.1 23.2 17.1 Abdasa 18 84 94.6 30.0 34.3 Mandvi 19 82 66.1 34.5 22.5 Mundra 17 75 55.8 56.3 9.7
Density of Prosopis juliflora was high in Lakhpat and Abdasa talukas largely due to
plantations undertaken by Forest Department to arrest desertification. This exotic
species then slowly invaded other areas of the taluka replacing the native vegetation.
In a few pockets of Lakhpat and Mandvi talukas, threatened and endemic species
like Helichyrum cutchicum reported. Other important species recorded include
Dactylandria welwitchii and Citrullus colocynthis.
Among the various talukas of Jamnagar district, species diversity was high in Lalpur
(Table 17). The vegetation dominated by Prosopis juliflora, Acacia nilotica and
Commiphora wightii. Good population of Commiphora wightii (Guggal) reported from
Dwarka taluka growing in wild. Prosopis juliflora was the dominant species in Jodiya
and Kalyanpur talukas. Both these talukas are afflicted with soil salinity problem
that prompted growth and spread of Prosopis juliflora.
Table 17: The status of upper tier vegetation in Coastal Talukas of Jamnagar District
Species richness of Trees and
shrubs
Species richness of Herbs
Important Value Index Prosopis juliflora
Acacia nilotica
Commiphora wightii
Jamnagar 16 22 36.0 11.3 23.0 Lalpur 25 38 43.9 26.4 24.7 Kalyanpur 15 24 80.8 32.4 21.0 Khambhalia 10 22 62.5 27.0 32.0 Dwarka 16 31 59.4 19.1 55.8 Jodiya 16 20 113.77 19.23 23.29
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Threatened species recorded during the primary survey included Convolvulus
stocksii, Corallocarpus conocarpus, Dactyliandra welwitschii, Dipcadi erythraeum,
Heliotropium rariflorum and Schwenfuthia papilionacea. These species sighted from
different location in the wilderness area from Lakhpat, Abdasa Naliya and Dwarka
talukas. The major threat to these species was trampling by the livestock. At no
location collection of the plants by the locals was observed directly.
Apart from threatened species, endemic species restricted to Kachchh like
Helichrysum cutchicum and Tribulus rajasthanensis reported from Lakhpat and Abdasa
Naliya taluka.
Faunal Composition
The faunal diversity study was undertaken for three seasons in the study area. A
total of 142 species of birds was sighted in Kachhch and 130 species in Jamnagar
(Table 18). The diversity index and species evenness was high in Kachchh district as
compared to Jamnagar district. Low anthropogenic disturbance and presence of
wilderness areas have provided good habitat for the birds resulting in high diversity
in Kachchh as compared to Jamnagar.
Among the talukas of Kachchh, Lakhpat showed the highest species richness of 100.
On the other hand, in Jamnagar district, abundance of some species like the
Common crane (Grus grus) and Brown headed Gull (Larus brunnicephalus) was
recorded in some of the talukas.
Table 18: Diversity indices of birds in Kachhch and Jamangar
Indices Kachchh Jamnagar Species richness 142 130 Shannon- Wiener index 3.79 3.32 Evenness 0.76 0.68
The Jaccard’s similarity index was observed high between Mandvi and Anjar,
wherein around 57 % bird species were similar (Table 19). Both the talukas are
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characterised by the presence of urban centres intermingled with open fields and
wetlands.
Table 19: Jaccard’s similarity index among different talukas, Kachchh
Jaccard's similarity Similarity in, % Gandhidham Anjar Bhachau Mandvi Mundra Lakhpat Anjar 43 Bhachau 43 49 Mandvi 44 57 53 Mundra 40 33 53 46 Lakhpat 41 49 51 50 39 Abdasa-Naliya 39 45 44 52 36 47
The lowest similarity index noted between Anjar and Mundra, though
geographically both of them lie next to each other. The difference observed is due to
dominance of fresh water wetlands in Anjar and urban centres in Mundra taluka. In
Anjar taluka, migratory species like Variable Whetear (Oenanthe picata), shoveller
(Anas clypeata) and Ruff (Philomachus pugnax) recorded, while these birds were
absent in Mundra taluka.
The Jaccard’s similarity index suggests that the species were similar in taluka Jodiya
and Jamnagar (59%) (Table 20). Both the talukas show high anthropogenic activity
and therefore recorded similar bird diversity. On the other hand, low similarity
index noted in Lalpur and Jodiya (42%). Lalpur taluka is characterised by good
vegetation cover and supported species like Common Iora (Aegithina tiphia), Oriental
white ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus) and Ashy Prinia (Prinia socialis). As Jodiya
taluka is under continuous urbanization pressure, only the common species
acclimatized to urban set up wre sighted.
Table 20: Jaccard’s similarity index among different talukas, Jamnagar
Jaccard's similarity Similarity in % Jodiya Jamnagar Lalpur Khambhalia Dwarka Jamnagar 59.7 Lalpur 42.8 54.6 Khambhalia 42.3 47.6 59.7 Dwarka 50 50 45.1 47.9 Kalyanpur 45.3 54.3 58.7 51.2 51.4
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The biological profile shows that the talukas with good native vegetation intact had
presence of high bird diversity and density. Further, the endemic species and
threatened species still report from wild areas in Lakhpat and such areas need
protection. The forest areas are under heavy grazing pressure and the management
plans need to tackle the grazing problem at the village level. Solutions like increase
in fodder cultivation and plantation of hedge plants for ready availability of fodder
throughout the year would lessen the dependence on forest areas for grazing.
2.6 Grazing Pressure
Grazing pressure calculated as pressure on the open lands in terms of ha land
available/individual livestock for grazing. The total livestock (cattle + buffalo +
browsers) considered as individual livestock and the livestock population census.
The landuse considered were the wastelands, open areas and barren areas. The
generated grazing pressure excludes the migratory livestock that comes to the area
for grazing from the neighbouring States (Rajasthan and Maharashtra) during
monsoon.
In 1997 the grazing pressure was high in Khambhalia among the talukas in Jamnagar
district (Figure 12). The grazing pressure further rose due to increase in livestock
population and decline in land available for grazing. Infact, in all the talukas of
Jamangar the grazing pressure increased with decline in land available for grazing
(Figure 13). The land use changes have shown diversion of wastelands and fallow
lands for industrial or agricultural proposes. Heavy grazing is also evident from the
vegetation studies undertaken, wherein ground vegetation dominated by non-
palatable grasses. For example in Khambhalia taluka, ground vegetation dominated
by Aristida spp., followed by Sorghum haplense, Justicia diffusa and Indigofera cordiflora.
All these species are sturdy species and non-palatable and indicators of heavy
grazing. Similarly, in Dwarka taluka herbaceous layer is dominated by grass species
of Aristida and Cenchrus biflorus.
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Figure 12: Grazing land per livestock, 1997
Figure 13: Grazing land per livestock, 2007
1.82
0.05
1.02
0.12
0.75
0.7
1.11
0.070.16 0.87
0.58
1.02
>1.5
1-1.5
0.5-1
0.5-0.1
< 0.1
1997
1.55
Ha/livestockGulf of Kachchh
1.11
0.05
0.62
0.08
0.4
0.7
0.8
0.050.1 0.66
0.57
0.62
>1.5
1-1.5
0.5-1
0.5-0.1
< 0.1
1.34
Ha/livestock
0.27
Gulf of Kachchh
2007
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In the case of Kachhch taluka, Lakhpat had larger area available for gazing as
compared to other talukas. The livestock population in Kachchh taluka maintained
due to pastoralism culture and arid conditions. Talukas like Mundra, Mandvi and
Anjar that are industrialised have shown high grazing pressure. In Kachchh district,
like Jamangar district, dominance of non-palatable grass was reported. In Mundra
taluka, density of non-palatable species was high like Aristida histricula (68.73
individuals/sqm), Indigofera cordiflora (37.38 individuals/sqm) and Dactyloctenium
aegyptium (23.35 individuals/sqm).
The figure 13 clearly showed that by 2007 the pressure on the existing land have
increased and there are 3 talukas viz., Mandvi, Mundra and Kalyanpur where the
land available per livestock is less than 0.1 ha. Interestingly Jamnagar, Lalpur and
Bhachau taluka have shown the same category in 10 years ie., 0.5 to 1.0 ha/livestock.
These talukas have undergone rapid industrialisation during the same period and
lot of diversion of land for industrial purpose took place. However, improvements in
dairy industry and stall-feeding have helped to meet the dairy demand from urban
centres.
Management plan
There is need to promote fodder cultivation and stall-feeding. Already some of the
talukas like Mundra, Mandvi and Khambhalia have moved in this direction to
reduce the pressure on the open lands and forest areas. The same need replication in
other talukas as well.
The tradition of open grazing is preferred, as the locals believe that the practice
results in better milk yield. Plantation of fodder trees on the hedges of the farm field
could tackle the shortage of fodder.
The decline in cereal crops, which provided the major fodder as a by-product is
another issue of concern. There is increase in cultivation of cash crops like cotton and
castor that have low fodder value. The cultivation of fodder in small patches in one
corner of the fields would help in sustaining the demand for fodder.
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Development of grasslands in the inland forest areas with the people’s participation
would not only help in preventing soil erosion, but also provide fodder. Forest
Department have undertaken grassland development and there is need to
strengthen research to improve the grass productivity by integrating the same with
leguminosae members like Sesbania sesban.
2.7 Water Resources Status
Water forms an integral part of the ecosystem and is essential for human survival
especially in the harsh condition of the study area. The water resources play an
important role for the future development and human settlements. A brief about the
trends on various water sources, pressure and management plan described below.
Water demand has a close relationship to the demographic changes and industrial
growth in the region. The population trends in the coastal talukas of Jamnagar
district was in direct relation with the industrial growth. For example, Jamnagar
taluka showed population increase by 2.35 times in 2011 on comparision with 1991.
Among the coastal talukas of Kachchh district, population increase was evident in
Mundra and (Anjar+Gandhidham) taluka largely due to industrialisation and
creation of Mundra and Kandla SEZ respectively. Non-industrialized talukas like
Abdasa, Lakhpat and Bhachau have shown steady increase in population.
Ground water development
There are 60715 minor irrigation sources in the study area dominated by dug wells
(98%) (Table 21). This showed dominance of ground water in irrigation. Number of
irrigation schemes is more in Jamnagar compared to Kachchh; however, their
efficiency is relatively less in Jamnagar in terms of gross area under irrigation.
Shallow and deep tube wells are more in coastal talukas of Kachhch as compared to
Jamnagar.
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Table 21: Source-wise irrigation in coastal talukas
No of schemes Gross irrigation in ha Kachchh Jamnagar Total Kachchh Jamnagar Total Dug wells 11158 48714 59872 30180 69022 78894 Shallow TW 291 0 291 1178 0 1178 Deep TW 377 25 402 2934 33 2959 Surface flow 376 575 951 8691 4960 9266 Lift Irrigation 113 1301 1414 141 228 1442 Total 12372 48343 60715 43124 74243 91467
Area irrigated by dug well scheme in Jamnagar is almost half as compared to
Kachchh region (Figure 14). There is difference in the geological strata between the
two regions. In Kachchh, the streams have sandy bed that facilitates better ground
water recharge compared to rocky bed made up of Deccan trap in coastal region
Jamnagar. Thus, the surface flow accounts for 23 ha under irrigation/schemes in
Kachchh and it is only 8 ha in Jamnagar.
Figure 14: Area under irrigation per scheme in coastal talukas
2.704.05
7.78
23.11
1.253.49
1.42 1.32
8.63
0.181.54
0.00
5.00
10.00
15.00
20.00
25.00
Dugwells Shallow TW
Deep TW Surface flow
Lift Irrigation
Total
area
irrig
ated
(ha)
per
sch
eme/
sour
ce
Kachchh
Jamnagar
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In the case of rural water supply schemes, ground water played a major role. In
Kachchh 88% of dependency is on ground water, dominated by deep tube wells
(Figure 15). Ground water forms the 53% water supply in Jamnagar. Reliance on RO
water accounted for 23% of supply sources in Jamnagar and it is only 5.5% in
Kachchh.
Figure 15: Rural water supply schemes in the study area
There are 18 villages of the Jamnagar district affected by high TDS, 39 villages by
high Fluoride and 2 villages by high both TDS and Fluoride. Dwarka region is
afflicted with high chloride and fluoride problems (Figure 16). High lead and Nickel
reported in Jamnagar, Khambhalia, Kalyanpur and Dwarka region (Das and Prakash
2008). Poor ground water quality and less efficient aquifers could have led to
increased dependency on RO water.
8%0.004
81%
6%5%
Kachchh RWSOpen well
Shallow Tubewell
Deep Tubewell
Ponds & Streams
Treated Surface Water
16%
16%
22%
23%
23%
Jamngar RWSOpen well
Shallow Tubewell
Deep Tubewell
Ponds & Streams
Treated Surface Water
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Figure 16: Areas with high fluoride, lead and nickel
(Source:Das and Prakash 2008)
2.8 Soil Salinity
Soil salinity is a major parameter indicating desertification in the region. Talukas of
Lakhpat, Anjar, Bhachau, Jodiya and Maliya bordering the Ranns of Kachchh face
salinity ingress (Table 22). A big patch of Okha Rann separates Okha and Kalyanpur
affecting soil of these two talukas. Soil salinity in Abdasa, Mandvi and Mundra is a
result of salinity ingress from the Gulf of Kachchh.
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Table 22: Saline soils (sq km) in the talukas
NBSS & LUP 1998 Bhuvan 2005 Taluka Slight Moderate Severe Total slight moderate severe Total
Lakhpat 5 816 822 498 206 126 830 Abdasa 854 1303 2158 627 511.5 81.5 1220 Mandvi 138 822 37 997 105 72 32 209 Mundra 111 579 26 717 45 10 131 186 Anjar+G’dham 521 3 525 85 127 275 487 Bhachau 794 88 883 2 146 111 259 Okha 538 50 588 82 17 3 102 Klayanpur 785 23 809 278 10 9 297 Khambhalia 68 68 52 3 55 Lalpur 26 26 21 0.5 22 Jamnagar 284 284 6.5 8 15 Jodiya 448 0.9 176 627 138 18 4 160 Maliya 498 157 656 320 15 2.5 338 Total 2899 3736 2526 9161 2260 1144 775 4178
There are two different sources of soil salinity; the first one is by NBSS and LUP
(1998) which categorises the soils as per padon characters like texture, porosity,
drainage, erosion, salinity, sodicity etc. As per this study, 9161 sq km of the study
area are salinity affected (Figure 17). Kachchh taluka had higher salinity as
compared to Jamnagar. The second source is by Bhuvan (2005), which include
interpretation of remote sensing data. According to this source 4178 sqkm of the
study area is salinity-affected soil (Figure 18).
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Figure 17: Soil salinity as per NBSS & LUP 1998
(Source: Sharma et al 1994)
Figure 18: Soil salinity as per Buvan 2005
(Source: http://bhuvan3.nrsc.gov.in)
0 50 km
SlightModerate
StrongSevereV. Severe
SlightModerateSevere
0 50 km
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Since, approaches for quantification of soil salinity are different, the data interpreted
and the following observations were marked out.
Talukas of Kachchh showed more salinity compared to that of Jamnagar
districts.
Lakpat, Abdasa, Mundra, Anjar and Bhachau had large area affected by
severe salinity.
Rann of Okha is responsible for high salinity in Okha and Kalyanpur Talukas
Areas in close vicinity to Little Rann showed high soil salinity as in case of
Jodiya and Maliya talukas.
2.9 Industries
The distribution of industries in the coastal talukas indicate presence of 53 major and
27 medium industries in coastal talukas of Kachchh as against 37 major and 18
medium industries in coastline of Jamnagar district (Table 23).
Table 23: Distribution of industries major and medium in the coastal talukas
Taluka Major Medium Abdasa - 6 Mandvi - 1 Mundra 7 - Anjar 17 5 Gandhidham 14 4 Bhachau 15 11 Kachchh Total 53 27 Jamnagar Total 34 18
Source: MSME–Development Institute
In MSME sector, during the last decade number of industries increased from 588 (in
2000) to 858 (in 2013) recording growth of 45% (Table 24). Simultaneously, the
accordingly employment increased by 43%. Gandhidham, Bhachau and Anjar are
the most industrialised taluka in the region followed Mundra and Jamnagar.
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Table 24: The industries and number of employees in MSME sector
2000 2013 Industries Employees Iindustries Employees Lakhpat 27 16784 30 17766 Bhachau 126 51669 195 92791 Anjar 107 30928 192 55629 Abdasa-Naliya 28 11905 33 12312 Mandvi 12 7309 12 7309 Gandhidham 160 11119 207 18789 Jamnagar 35 2164 67 3372 Jodiya 7 1625 8 1703 Kalyanpur 3 0 4 10 Khambhalia 8 6031 10 6301 Okhamandal 10 18815 14 19366 Mundra 64 30863 85 35767 Maliya 1 1000 1 1000 588 190212 858 272115
Proposed SIRS: There are three SIRs proposed with an area of 1008 sq km of area in
three coastal talukas around the Gulf (Table 25).
Table 25: SIR planned around the Gulf of Kachchh
SIR Area Anjar 630 sq km Port based industries, mineral and agro based
engineering Navalakhi 182 sq km Ceramic, Engineering & automobiles, food
processing and electronics, textile and chemicals and petrochemicals
Okha 196 sq km General manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, CRO, Biotechnology and bio-pharmacy, auto and ancillaries, mineral based and tourism
Special Econimc zones: Out of total 57 approved SEZ in the state, 16 are located in
the in the region, covering 156.15 sqkm area and located in Kachchh district (Table
26).
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Table 26: SEZs approved around the Gulf of Kachchh
Location Developer Area
Status Of Approval By Goi
Gandhidham-Kandla
Kandla SEZ Office Of Development Commissioner
- 280 Ha +(120 Hec For Expansion)
Functional SEZ - Multi-Product
Kandla Port Trust,
5000 Ha Formal Approval - Port Based Multi-Product
LMJ Warehousing Pvt Ltd
40 Ha In-Principle Approval - FTWZ
Mundra Adani Port & Special Economic Zone Limited (MPSEZ)
6472.8684 Ha
Notified And Operational Multi-Product
Adani Port And Special Economic Zone Ltd.
168.41 Ha Notified - FTWZ
OPG Power Gujarat Pvt Limited
104-72-24 In-Principle Approval -Power Project
Bhachau Euro Multivision Ltd, Shikara
- 11.6347 Ha Notified And Operational Non-Conventional Energy Solar Energy Eqpts / Cells
(GGDCL) Gujarat Industrial Dev. Corpn.
- 131.59 Ha Formal Approval - Handicraft &Artisan
Plastene Infrastructure Ltd
100.00 Ha In-Principle Approval Plastic And Plastic Products
Anjar Welspun Anjar SEZ Ltd -284 Ha Notified - Engineering (Earlier: Textile & Garments)
Asia Pacific Corpn Ltd --120 Ha Formal Approval Polymer Based
Indian Infrastructure Corpn Ltd
-1011.71 Ha In-Principle Approval - Multi- Product
Welspun Anjar SEZ Ltd. Welspun City,
- 121 Ha
In-Principle Approval - Engineering
Mandvi Sealand Ports Pvt. Ltd. 1112.4348 Ha
In-Principle Approval Multi-Product
Awash Logistic Park Pvt. Ltd.
496.28-78hec
In-Principle Approval -FTWZ
Bhimasar Kutch
Indian Steel Corporation Ltd
-164.80 Ha In-Principle Approval - Flat Steel
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Port activity
Out of 22 major and medium ports in the State, the study region supports six ports.
Kandla is the major and busiest port in the country handed highest cargo (82.5
MMT) in the country. Apart from this, there are several medium and small ports
include GMB operated ports like, Jakhau, Navalakhi, Bedi, Sikka and Okha. Mundra
(GAPL) port is a private port in the Gulf.
Port activity in the GMB ports have increased in all the ports except Bedi ports,
which reported decline in quantum of cargo handled and the number of ships. The
cargo handled at Sikka and Mundra ports showed tremendous growth in the span of
five years. Poshitra, Salaya and Jodiya are the proposed ports in the region (Table
27).
Table 27: Traffic and cargo handled by medium ports
Port 2005-06 2010-11 No. Of
ships Cargo handled in Lakh tonnes
No. Of vessels Cargo handled in Lakh tonnes
Jakhau 68 8.19 54 12.10 Navlakhi 58 18.22 114 45.17 Bedi 163 144.03 109 21.22 Sikka 986 521.8 1456 1154.06 Okha 142 12.51 33 11.50 Mundra (GAPL) 462 81.27 1343 362.71 Total 1879 786.02 3109 1606.76 Gujarat (excl. Kandla)
6042 1038.08 8325 2108.96
Source: GMB annual reports
Mining sector
As per 2006 CGM data, there are 1029 mine leases with 18,230 ha area in the region.
Kachchh contribute to 75% of total lease area. The important minerals in Kachchh
area Lignite, Limestone, Bentonite, Bauxite, sand, chinal clay and Black trap. Bauxite,
Gypsum, Limestone and Black Trap are the important mineral of Jamnagar.
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The areas under mining have increased in Lakhpat and Abdasa taluka of Kachchh
district since 1990 (Figure 19). While mining activity in other taluka have reduced.
Figure 19: Mining leases and areas in talukas of Kachchh district
In case of Jamnagar district, increase in mining reported from Kalyanpur only
(Figure 20). Here small mining leases are prevalent, thereby increasing the overall
area. Mining in Okha stopped after the declaration of MNP and ban on coral mining.
Figure 20: Mining leases and areas in talukas of Jamnagar district
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
0
50
100
150
200
250
mundra mandvi Abdasa Lakhpat Anjar Bhachau
Area
in h
a.
No.
of L
ease
Area 1990
Area 2006
No. 1990
No. 2006
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
020406080
100120140160180200
Leas
e ar
ea h
aNo
of le
ase
Area 1990
Area 2006
No. 1990
No .2006
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2.10 Vehicles
Vehicles broadly classified into transport and non-transport vehicle. The transport
vehicles comprises of trucks, trailers, tankers, goods vehicles and passenger vehicles.
The non-transport vehicle includes two wheelers and motor cars.
In case of Jamnagar, district the transport vehicles showed very marginal rise in the
numbers registered in the span of 5 years (Fig 21). There was steady increase in the
non-transport vehicle dominated by motorcycle and two wheelers.
Fig 21: Trends in the transport and non transport vehicle from 2007-08 to 2012-13 in Jamnagar district
'Truck/ Lorries, Three Wheeler LGVs and Trailers together comprised 72% of the
total transport vehicle. This clearly reflects their demand in the movement of goods
from the ports (Table 28). This is due to high port activity in the region. There are
GMB ports and private ports in the district and industries that require movement of
goods. The growth in the two wheelers in the non-vehicle sector indicates demand
due to increase in wages and from the industrial employees. Thus, overall the
figures indicate growing economy in the region added to the industrial growth.
050000
100000150000
200000250000300000350000
400000450000500000
2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13
Transport vehicle
Non transport vehicle
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Table 28: Number of vehicle registered in Jamnagar district
Years 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 'Truck/ Lorries 11758 12222 12681 13130 13939 14884 'Tanker 473 486 497 497 497 498 Three Wheeler LGVs 15821 16576 17311 17989 18791 19459 Other LGVs 3433 3825 4169 4683 5530 6730 Buses 677 715 744 786 839 874 Maxi 1532 1718 1801 1951 2326 2621 School Buses 39 47 55 64 71 79 Private Service Vehicles 187 194 200 208 225 243 Taxi 1452 1504 1560 1734 1940 2324 Auto Rickshaw 5340 5546 5734 5951 6319 6747 Ambulance 149 155 161 165 172 181 Trailer 11758 12222 12681 13130 13939 14884 Police Van 30 30 32 33 35 40 'Motor Cars & Station Wagon 18416 20497 22744 26138 30847 34847 Jeep 2714 2954 3179 3482 3816 4062 'Motor Cycle/ Scooters 169433 185592 204456 231303 270664 300691 Mopeds 89226 94491 99259 102016 102800 105202 Tractor 11268 12895 14508 16614 19712 20796 Others 3057 3409 3576 3729 3983 4191 Total 346763 375078 405348 443603 496445 539353
Kachhch district showed an increase in non-transport vehicle as compared to the
non-transport vehicle (Fig 22). These figures are for entire Kachchh district that also
includes the other talukas like Bhuj and Nakhatrana not included in the present
study.
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Fig 22: Trends in the transport and non transport vehicle from 2009-10 to 2012-13 in Kachchh district
Truck/ Lorries and Trailers are the major transport vechicle in Kachchh district. Both
the type of vehicle used for transportation of goods for the port activity from
Mundra and Kandla. The non-transport vehicle comprises of 50% of motorcycle
(Table 29). Observation in the field indicates increase in motorcycle for
transportation in the entire coastal stretch of the taluka. Rise in income due to better
opportunities in the industries have prompted growth in this sector.
Table 29: Number of vehicle registered in Kachchh district
Years 2009-2010
2010-2011
2011-2012
'Truck/ Lorries 27867 31193 35876 'Tanker 7253 7884 8340 Three Wheeler LGVs 7020 7449 8120 Other LGVs 5643 6329 7727 Buses 581 676 776 'Maxi 1463 1755 2167 School Buses 110 110 110 Private Service Vehicles
351 351 394
Taxi 2555 2760 2894
0
50000
100000
150000
200000
250000
300000
350000
400000
450000
500000
2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012
Transport Vehicles Non Transport Vehicles
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Auto Rickshaw 11922 12876 14086 Ambulance 350 374 405 Trailer 16885 18206 20217 Police Van 29 29 29 'Motor Cars & Station Wagon
33046 38757 44331
Jeep 7739 7800 7858 'Motor Cycle/ Scooters
234855 262669 297673
Mopeds 84400 85491 90702 Tractor 21047 22528 25128 Others 3600 4324 5356 Total 466716 511561 572189
2.11 Archeological Sites
Every coastal taluka of Kachchh district has archeological sites except Mundra and
Gandhidham. The details of each site described below.
Okha-Dwarka
The Dwarka temple was Kalika mata temple at Drashanvel village of Dwarka.
Dwarka is famous for the shrine of Lord Krishna called Jagadish mandir or the
universe shrine built 1400 years ago.
Beyt was the short name of Shankhoddar Beyt because its shape resembles ‘shankh;,
the conch-shell. It is a narrow crooked strip of sand and rock situated in the Gulf of
Kutch about 5 km. to the north of the mainland of Okhamandal and to the east of
Okha port. It is the place where lord Krishna lived with his family when he ruled
Dwarka and is the place where Vishnu slew the demon Shankhasura.
i. Okha Mandal-Treasure of Marine Fossil and Paleotological Heritage
Okha Mandal stores huge quantity of limestone with rich fossil material.
Availability of fossils, remnant of marine life and dead corals at numerous sites
provide a scope to develop history of tectonic movement experience in this area. As
per the Purans, the capital city of Lord Krishna lost and submerged in sea several
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times due to the tectonic movement and these evidences approve the story in the
Purans.
Historical coral reef dating back to about 20 million years belonging to Gaj
Formation, Miocene, and Tertiary reported by the Geological Survey of India and
mentioned in a document by the Marine Park Authority. The site is located about 15
km away from Dwarka near Bhimpura village of Okha Mandal. This fossilised
ancient reef is a valuable paleontological heritage of the Arabian Sea and Gulf of
Kachchh coasts. Fossils of marine life and coral fossils found near Gopitalav. This
uplifted fossilised reef reveals the story of rigorous tectonic movements experience
in this area in the past result of coast got up- lifted above the present day sea level.
Dead coral reef layer below the earth surface at Mithapur: At Mithapur, about 300-
400 m from the Arabian Sea coast, dead coral stones in form of coral reef found
below the earth surface. Setting of coral reef stones is in a form of layer below two
meters from the surface of earth in a well. The dead coral stones extracted during
the excavation of the well kept near the well. It appears that this part of the land was
under the sea in the past and supported rich coral reefs.
Coral stones extracted from the layer of dead coral reef, and photographed after
cleaning it. Although dating of coral stone is unknown but not fossilized and might
be of recent origin-a few thousand years old. This indicates that tectonic movement
continued severely during the recent past and present.
ii. Village Tera, Abdasa-Naliya
Village Tera, declared as heritage village and was the first Heritage Village declared
by the government of India. Tera Jagir consisted of 41 villages, and was one of the
largest jagirsof Kutch. The village had outer-fort with four-foot thick wall to protect
the village as well as inner-fort (Darbargadh) for the Jaagirdar. Half of the portion of
the outer-fort is either removed or destroyed significantly during the 2001
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earthquake. The ancient 250 years old Jain Temple (Derasar) is known for colorful
carved glass paintings.
iii. Bhadeshwar Mahadev, Anjar
Bhadeshwar Mahadev is one of the oldest temples in Anjar, according to some
people it is about 1000 years old. The carvings and sculptures on the outer walls of
the main temple resemble a lot to that of world-famous Khajuraho temples of
Central India Other important site is historic temple of Saint Jesal and Saint Toral,
built around the tombs of the two saints around 1500 CE.
iv. Dholavira, Bhachau
Dholavira: is an archaeological site in Bhachau Taluka, locally known as Kotada
timba. The site contains ruins of an ancient Indus Valley Civilization/Harappan city.
It is one of the five largest Harappan sites and most prominent archaeological sites in
India belonging to the Indus Valley Civilization. It is located on the Khadir bet island
in the Kachchh Desert Wildlife Sanctuary in Great Rann of Kachchh and the area
more than 100 ha (250 acres). R.S. Bisht, the director of the Dholavira excavations,
has defined following seven stages of occupation, at the site (Table 30):
Table 30: Stages of excavation at Dholavira
Stages Dates Stage I 2650–2550 BCE Early Harappan – Mature Harappan Transition A Stage II 2550–2500 BCE Early Harappan – Mature Harappan Transition B Stage III 2500–2200 BCE Mature Harappan A Stage IV 2200–2000 BCE Mature Harappan B Stage V 2000–1900 BCE Mature Harappan C 1900–1850 BCE Period of desertion Stage VI 1850–1750 BCE Post-urban Harappan A 1750–1650 BCE Period of desertion Stage VII 1650–1450 BCE Post-urban Harappan B
Estimated to be older than the port-city of Lothal the city of Dholavira has a
rectangular shape and organization, and spread over 100 ha (250 acres). The city
composed to a pre-existing geometrical plan, of three divisions – the citadel, the
middle town and the lower town. The acropolis and the middle town is further
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furnished with their own defence-work, gateways, built-up areas, street system,
wells and large open spaces. The most striking feature of the city is that all of its
buildings, at least in their present state of preservation, built out of stone, whereas
most other Harappan sites, including Harappa itself and Mohenjo-daro, almost
exclusively built out of brick. Dholavira is flanked by two storm water channels; the
Mansar in the north, and the Manhar in the south.
It is suggested that a coastal route existed linking Lothal and Dholavira to Sutkagan
Dor on the Makran coast. Most of the inscriptions are found on seals (mostly made
out of stone) and sealing (pieces of clay on which the seal was pressed down to leave
its impression). Some inscriptions found on copper tablets, bronze implements, and
small objects made of terracotta, stone and faience. The seals may have been used in
trade and for official administrative work.
v. Mandvi
Mandvi town was one an important port city of the region and dates back to 16th
century AD. The city had more than four hundred year old ship building industry
that still manufactures small ships. In 18th century, the Mandvi merchants
collectively owned a fleet of 400 vessels trading with East Africa, Malabar Coast and
the Persian Gulf. In the early 19th century, it was a major port of entry for the inland
trade with Malwa, Marwar and Sindh. Mandvi was a rich and prosperous town,
earning four times more revenue from export than import.
Rukmavati bridge, Taluka: Mandvi: The Rukmavati bridge is the longest stone
bridge, built in 1883 A. D. It was built by Vishram Karman Chawda of Chandiya,
belonging to the Mistris of the Kutch community.
Lal Bungalow: Mandvi has the famous Lal Bungalow / Arihant Bungalow built by
Khengarji III. It took 16 years to build this palace with unique architecture of five
floors and ceilings made up of teak and currently owned by Sanket Shah.
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vi. Lakhpat
There are two important heritage sites in this taluka viz., Lakhpat fort and
Koteshwar.
Lakhpat fort: Lakhpat, the last frontier of Kutch, is an amazing sea fort situated in
the mouth of Kori Creek. The literal meaning of Lakhpat is the city of millionaire.
Historically it was very important trading post connecting Gujarat to Sindh. Rice
used to be cultivated and Lakhpat earned annual revenue of 800,000 Koris just from
rice. Lakhpat used to generate an income of 100,000 Koris everyday from maritime
activities. The decline of the prosperity started when an earthquake diverted the
flow of the Sindhu River away from it in 1819.
An attraction is the Lakhpat Gurudwara Sahib, religious place for the Sikhs. Guru
Nanak on his way to Mecca for Haj stayed over here and even today Guru Nanakji's
footwear and the palkhi worshiped by the Udasi Sect. The Gurudwara is declared a
protected monument by the Archeological Department and has won the UNESCO
Asia Pacific Heritage Award for its restoration after the earthquake.
Koteshwar: It is name of an ancient Shiva temple located on the western tip of India
in Lakhpat taluka and is the last outpost of human construction at the westernmost
limit of India. It is located only 4km from Narayan Sarovar, which is one of the most
sacred pilgrimage sites for Hindus. It is one of the five holy ponds in India
mentioned in Shrimad Bhagvat Narayan Sarovar meant the Lake of Narayan, a
name for Vishnu. As per legends, one of the holy rivers of India, Sarasvati River had
an out let in to sea near present day Narayan Sarovar and waters of lake filled with
holy waters of River Saraswati that is why hindus consider this place as one of the
five holy lakes. This lake finds mention in the chronicles of Alexander, the Great. In
1550 AD, the temple priest constructed the embankments and ghats on all three
sides of the lake except on east. He also constructed separate compartments for
bathing, using carved stone jails.
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Archaeological survey of India identified 13 sites of historical important in the
coastal taluka of Jamnagar and details mentioned below (Table 31). Jodiya,
Kalyanpur, Khambhalia, Lalpur do not have Archaeological sites.
Table 31: Historically important sites in Jamnagar
Name of Sites Villages Talukas Timbo Amara Jamnagar Shiv Mandir Khimran Jamnagar Kotho (Bhujiyo) Jamnagar Jamnagar Khambhaliyo Gate Jamnagar Jamnagar Jumma Masjid Shila lekh Jamnagar Jamnagar Naag naath Temple Jamnagar Jamnagar Lakhota Tower Jamnagar Jamnagar Timbo Narmana Jamnagar Timbo Bed Jamnagar Timbo Moda Jamnagar Timbo Lakhabaval Jamnagar Timbo Vasae Jamnagar Paliya lekha and war field Shekh paat Jamnagar
(Source: ASI Jamnagar office)
ASI list suggest ancient Vav in Sarvad village is a heritage site at Maliya taluka of
Rajkot district.
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3 PROJECTIONS
3.1 Ground Water scenario
In absence of any perennial river, ground water is the importance source for
domestic and agriculture needs of the region. The state of Gujarat observe drought
years in 1986-87 which affected water resources during the decade as a result, arid
semi arid region observed critical conditions with two over exploited and 4 talukas
in dark/black category of ground water development.
There is increase in the draft of groundwater in Kachchh i.e., 174.5 MCM (in 1991) to
326.8 (in 2010). Similarly, increased dependence on ground water in Kachchh has
resulted in pressure on ground water. Anjar, Mandvi and Bhachau Talukas fall in
over exploited categories in 2010, whereas Mundra falls in Grey category and
Gandhidham taluka declared saline.
In the case of Jamnagar, drafts of ground water have increased from 216.8 MCM (in
1991) to 311.41 (in 2010). This has affected the availability of ground water resource
as developments have shifted from White (Safe) category in 1991 to Grey in 2010.
Infact all the talukas in the region are categorised as grey.
In 1991 ground water status and quality was good in the coastal talukas of Jamangar
except Maliya and Dwarka (Figure 23). Whereas increased dependence on ground
water in Anjar and Mandvi degraded the ground water status and were under
overexploited status.
By 2002, within 10 years more the ground water status in the Kachchh district
deteriorated at a rapid rate. Anjar, Bhachau and Mandvi talukas were categorised as
overexploited and Gandhinagar declared saline (Figure 24). On the contrary, along
the Jamnagar coast the water scenario improved due to construction of minor check
dams on the upper stretches of the rivers criss-crossing the area.
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Figure: 23: Development category of ground water in 1991
Figure: 24: Development category of ground water in 2002
15.02
111.08
88.7
91.63
50.72
139.18
55.99
68.6698.10 37.77
69.88
100. 73
White/Safe
Grey
Black
Over exploited
Saline
1991
Development CategoryGulf of Kachchh
22.08
121.44
70.83
88.51
149.64
129.98
41.99
58.9879.09 45.13
63.53
70. 63
White/Safe
Grey
Black
Over exploited
Saline
2002
Development CategoryGulf of Kachchh
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Post earthquake and new industrial policy declared by the state resulted in
industrial growth in the region. However, the ground water status remained similar
to that of 2002 without further deterioration. On the other hand, the ground water
status in Mundra improved from black to grey category (Figure 25). This largely
took place due to supply of Narmada water. Mandvi, Anjar and Bhachau continued
to remain over exploited and require immediate attention. In case of Jamnagar coast,
the ground water reached grey category due to low rainfall and increase in demand
for ground water by the industrial units. Nevertheless, none of the taluka reached
over exploited status.
Figure: 25: Development category of ground water in 2010
Projections for 2025 after taking care of urbanisation pressure and industrialisation
indicate that Anjar, Bhachau and Mandvi would remain overexploited and there is
29.62 %
111.59 %
65.19 %
65.13 %
141.6 %
113.16 %
68.80 %
68.35 %65.54 % 45.13 %
69.79 %
65.5 %
White/Safe
Grey
Black
Over exploited
Saline
2010
Development CategoryGulf of Kachchh
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need to increase the ground water recharge through Narmada canal (Figure 26).
There is need to tap in rainwater and improve water harvesting system in these
talukas. It is projected that the talukas of Jamnagar coast would remain in grey
category and the operation of the Narmada branch canal could provide relief to the
water of the region.
Figure: 26: Development category of ground water in 2025
Management strategies
With above projections there is need for effective interventions and some of them
discussed below:
Harnessing surface water during the rainfall months by construction of small
dams at more sites/locations within the small streams be explored.
In the Jamnagar district capacity of aquifers be improved in areas with good
quality ground water by using modern techniques of creating micro-fractures
to increase secondary porosity of Deccan Trap.
33.06%
115.22 %
68.96%
70.07%
154.88%
116.78%
77.75%
76.73 %81.05% 72.03 %
69.79 %
69.93%
White/Safe
Grey
Black
Over exploited
Saline
2025 Projections
Development CategoryGulf of Kachchh
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In Mundra, Mandvi, Anjar and Bhachau talukas spread of awareness and
strict monitoring is required to improve efficient use of groundwater resource
to avoid of overexploitation.
There is need to increase the role of Narmada water in domestic water supply.
Diverting excess of Narmada waters to small water bodies or streams in the
region for domestic purpose could solve the water problem.
Strict norms for industry and urban area, particularly in Jamnagar district be
implemented so that water quality is not affected by industrial pollution.
3.2 Solid Waste Generation
With the increase in urbanisation and expansion of the existing urban centres
generation and disposal of solid waste is an important issue in the study area. The
existing solid waste disposal facilities in the study area is shown below.
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The urban centres being close to the gulf of Kachchh the amount of waste that
generated in the next decade was evaluated (Table 32). The calculations based on the
quantum of solid waste generated at present and extrapolated with the rise in
envisaged human population in the next decade (based on census data).
Table 32: Projection of Solid waste generation in Major urban centres.
Disposal of Solid waste / Day (Tones)
2012 2040
Jamnagar City 240 312
Dwarka City 15 20
Lalpur city 14 41
Khambhalia city 11 43
Gandhidham City 36.75 144
Anjar city 28.8 86
Mandvi city 23 89
In Kachhch region data is not available for all the urban centres. In the case of Anjar
town, the present quantum of waste generated is 28.8 tonnes/day and anticipated
amount of waste generation in the next decade would be 86 TPD by 2040. Problem of
waste generation is more in case of twins urban centres under same municipal limits
like Gandhidham and Adipur. At present 36.75 TPD generated and expected to
generate around 144 TDS by 2040. Mandvi is fast on expansion track and the solid
waste generated would be around 89 by 2040.
In the case of Jamnagar district, Jamnagar town itself is the major urban centre and
generated around 260 TPD, out of which 250 TPD is collected. A landfill area near
Suvarda village identified with an area of 100 ha. Next important urban centre is
Dwarka known for pilgrimage and around 15 TPD of solid waste is generated, out of
which only 3 TPD is treated and rest is disposed of directly to sea. Khambhalia and
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Lalpur town is the second major urban centre where there is waste generation to the
tune of 9.5 TPD and expected to increase to 43 TPD by 2040.
To summarize solid waste disposal would be a major problem in the next decade
and expansion of cities would make the situation complicated. Immediate steps and
management plans are required to tackle the problem. Some initiatives carried out
by Jamnagar Municipal Authority. The expanding urban centres need to tackle the
problem at this stage itself least it becomes difficult to handle the quantum of solid
waste generated.
Management plans
Ban use of plastics and carry bags in the urban centres.
Segregation of bio-degradable and non-bio-degradable waste. The former could
be recycled as biofertiliser. In the case of further segregation of non bio-
degradable waste into recyclable items should be done.
Proper identification of dumping site so that spill over does not reach the
protected areas or areas with native vegetation. Regular monitoring of dumping
site spill over is necessary to see the impact one ecosystem as a whole.
Design landfill site for the proper reuse of waste and generate bio gas, electricity
and manure for agriculture etc.
Capped landfill used for recreation sites such as parks and gardens after
beautification.
3.3 Industrial Effluents
There exist no CEPTs in the coastal talukas of Kachchh and Jamnagar. The industrial
units along the coastline of Jamnagar have individual treating facility and discharge
their effluents directly into the open sea via underground pipeline.
The industrial giants in Jamangar have individual treatment plants and release the
effluents in the sea. The Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) plant of GSFC located at
Motikhavdi village has no production of wastewater in their industrial process and
therefore has zero effluent discharge. Further, the sewage water colony utilized for
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the plantation after chemical treatment. Likewise Reliance Industrial complex have
also effluent treatment facility and dumping site for hazardous waste. After
treatment, the water released into the open sea and there is recycling of the
wastewater of the colony. The water used for gardening and watering the green belt
through sprinkler system.
Mithapur houses large integrated salt works and inorganic chemical complex of Tata
Group's Tata Chemicals Ltd. The treated waste released into Arambhada bay
through an open channel in the MNPS. There is regular monitoring of the effluents
and discharges maintained within the permissible limits prescribed by GPCB.
Recently there are reports of coral recruits in the close vicinity to the discharge, thus
indicative of low pollution load.
The monitoring results of GPCB in the coastal area indicate low BOD in the
Mithapur outfall area as compared to the Kandla port (Table 33).
Table 33: Results of coastal water monitoring by GPCB
Name of outfalls Parameters * pH D.O. B.O.D. NH3 – N
Tata Chem., Mithapur outfall 8.30 5.02 N.D. 2.17 Sea water at Kandla 8.09 - 70.00 6.40
(Source: GPCB annula report 2012-13)
According to satellite data, the total reef area in the Gulf is 139.72 sq km. it has
decreased from 217 sq km in 1975 to 139.7 sq km in 2011 that amounts to a net loss of
43%.
The natural flushing of pollutants in the Gulf of Kachchh has an advantage and there
is coexistence of corals amongst industrial activity. A 2D Hydrodynamic-Particle
Analysis model applied to the Gulf of Kachchh (GoKh) to estimate the residence
time of pollutants. The depth is ~ 15m near the head region. The tidal currents in the
Gulf have a strong E-W component, which prevent the material in the north
transported towards south. The circulation showed a net transport towards Kandla
(along the northern rim of the Gulf) with a tendency to form a clockwise circulation.
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The tidal currents in the Gulf have a strong E-W component, which prevented the
material from the north from transported southwards. Some influence on the
residence time is apparent from the central eddies and dynamic barrier across the
Sikka- Mundra section. Eastern GoKh shows a relatively large residence time, order
of 2-4 days, warranting caution while releasing industrial wastes in the northeastern
Gulf.
In the regions situated very close to the open boundary, where the GoK waters
exchange freely with the northern Arabian Sea, dilution takes place rapidly with the
incoming waters and hence, the residence time in order of 1 day.
Generally, the residence time is relatively short for the Gulf of Kachchh, and
therefore, the Gulf waters are relatively unpolluted. The residence time increases as
we move from the mouth to the head region of the Gulf. As different sections of the
Gulf behave differently with respect to residence time, the studies extended to
identify locations where coastal-based industries could be installed (Patgaonkar et
al., 2012).
GIDB has project new area for chemical industries along northern coast of the Gulf
of Kachchh (Figure 27). Extreme care must be taken when the industrial wastes are
released in the north-eastern Gulf.
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Figure 27 Projected area for chemical industries
3.4 Fuel Consumption Pattern
Cooking fuel consumption pattern differed between rural and urban areas. The data
based on percentage of households using different type of cooking fuel as per 2001
records. The fuel consumption of the rural households was largely dependent on
firewood collected from the nearby open wastelands or farms.
In case of all the coastal talukas of Jamnagar district, fuel consumption pattern
varied between rural and urban areas (Figure 28, 29). In case of rural areas, firewood
dominated the household fuel requirement (47.8%), followed by cowdung fuel
(23.4%) and crop residue (10.5%). Thus, agriculture provided around 33.9% of fuel.
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Figure 28: Rural energy consumption pattern in coastal taluka, Jamnagar
In 2001 urban centers considered was Jamnagar and Khambhalia. In these urban
areas, cooking gas formed the major fuel utlised (47.9%), followed by kerosene
(19.7%) and firewood (16.3%). The kerosene distributed through PDS scheme and its
use is largely by the industrial workers. The firewood largely used by the low-
income group.
Figure 29: Urban energy consumption pattern in coastal taluka, Jamnagar
47.8
10.5
23.4
0.35.9
1.89.9
Fire wood
Crop residue
Cowdung cake
Coal/Charcoal
Cooking gas
Bio-gas
Kerosene
16.3
4.1
7.3
2.5
47.9
0.4
19.7Fire wood
Crop residue
Cowdung cake
Coal/Charcoal
Cooking gas
Bio-gas
Kerosene
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With the increase in the urban centres and growth of towns like Dwarka, Lalpur the
demand for cooking gas would increase in the next 10 years.
Prosopis juliflora comprises the major source of firewood and the same is collected
from open wastelands. The vegetation studies also indicate that Prosopis juliflora is
the dominant species and the Important value Index (IVI) index ranged from 36
(Jamnagar) to 113.77 in Jodiya. In case of Jamnagar taluka the open wastelands are
largely converted to industrial and residential areas that resulted in low IVI, unlike
Jodiya which still has open wastelands intact. With the expansion of urban centres
and upgradation of C category town to cities would result in more dependency on
cooking gas as the availability of firewood would reduce.
In case of coastal talukas of Kachchh the scenario differed with that of Jamnagar
(Figure 30, 31). Since agriculture is very low and less intensive, 70% of the household
rely on firewood followed by kerosene (16.95). Prosopis juliflora is the major source
of firewood. The growth of Prosopis is very good and has adapted to the saline and
arid conditions of the region. There is high IVI value ranging from 62.2 in Bhachau to
94.6 in Abdasa taluka indicating domaince of the plant. Due to its availability
throughout the year local’s dependency on Prosopis is very high for firewood.
Figure 30: Rural energy consumption pattern in coastal taluka, Kachchh
70.4
2.91.60.2
6.9
0.3
16.9
Fire wood
Crop residue
Cowdung cake
Coal/Charcoal
Cooking gas
Bio-gas
Kerosene
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The urban centres considered during 2001 were Mundra, Mandvi, Bhachau, Anjar,
Adipur and Gandhidham. The fuel consumption pattern of urban centres was
different from that of Jamnagar urban centres. In case of Kachchh three type of fuel
viz., firewood, kerosene and cooking gas represented in almost equal proportions.
Firewood usage was high in the urban centres, which could be due to its ready
availability from nearby areas.
Figure 31: Urban energy consumption pattern in coastal taluka, Kachchh
Maliya taluka at the time of 2001 was totally under rural and no urban centre was
present. Here also firewood (60.8%) was the major source of fuel followed by, crop
residue (22.2%) and kerosene (8.4%). Thus, dependency on natural sources like
Prosopis julilfora and agriculture waste dominated the fuel usage consumption
(Figure 32).
The landuse pattern changes in Maliya taluka indicated conversion of open
wastelands into agriculture. There are predictions that agricultural waste would
suffice to the fuel demand of the locals, as availability of firewood from the open
areas would decline.
29.1
1.40.42.6
36.2
0.3
29.1 Fire wood
Crop residue
Cowdung cake
Coal/Charcoal
Cooking gas
Bio-gas
Kerosene
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Figure 32: Rural energy consumption pattern in Maliya Taluka, Rajkot
Future projections in the fuel usage include more demand from the new urban
centers like Lalpur, Dhrol, Mundra, Dwarka and Kalyanpur. There island use
changes as shown in individual talukas and there is conversion of open wastelands
to industrial or urbanization or agriculture. This would exert pressure on availability
of Prosopis as firewood and exert pressure on the existing forest areas. Further, with
decline in agriculture the availability of agriculture waste would also pose a problem
to the talukas dependents on the same.
There is one sector, which is untapped that is biogas. There is large livestock
population in the coastal talukas and increasing the use of biogas would help in
tackling the problem of fuel shortage in near future.
Increase in use of community solar cookers could be promoted in the area of
Lakhpat, Abdasa, Mandvi and Bachhau talukas. There is ample presence of sunlight
and the concept of community solar cookers would benefit the community at large.
Energy plantations of fast growing species along the farm hedges be promoted. As
in near future, maximum utilization of land available for farming has to be done in
order to sustain the population at large.
60.822.2
5.50.42.30.1
8.4
Fire wood
Crop residue
Cowdung cake
Coal/Charcoal
Cooking gas
Bio-gas
Kerosene
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3.5 Urban Water Demand
Supply of water for domestic purposes in the urban centres would a major
challenges and issues in the coming years. Water supply and future demand in the
urban centers for the year 2025 was calculated.
Considering liner rate of population, the population of urban centers would increase
from 1 million (2011) to about 1.9 million in 2025. The Urban population increased at
very fast rate in Okha, followed by Sikka, Bhachau, Jamnagar and Anjar and
expected to increase in future as well. This will lead to increased water demand in
future.
At present supply rate future water demand in demand from the urban centre will
increase by 66%. There would be double the demand for water from present supply
in case of Bhachau and Sikka towns. In Bhachau 44% dependency on ground water
for its water supply and with the area declared as saline, GW extraction would be
difficult.
In case of cities like Jamnagar water demand will increase from 92 MLD to 156 MLD
in 2025. This would a major problem as the water supply in Jamnagar and Sikka,
which totally rely on surface water for its water supply and failure in rainfall would
lead to severe water crisis in the city.
Other major urban centers are Anjar, Okha and Mandvi whose water supply will
required to be augment in 2025 (Table 34). Okha, Dwarka and Mandvi are on
tourism site and have large inflow of tourist visiting. Okha and Dwarka also receive
water from the surface flow and reservoirs.
BIS standards require minimum of 135 LPCD in cities with proper sewage system
and 70 LPCD in case of urban centers without sewage facility. With the increase in
population there would be requirement of better sewage and drainage system, thus
demand for water would increase. Overall, an increase of 210 MLD by 2025 for all
talukas predicted.
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Table 34: Projected Urban Water Demand
Urban area Population Supply Demand in 2025 2011 2025
(projected) 2011 (MLD)
% dependency on GW
@ present per capita supply rate
Future demand MLD as per BIS
MLD % increase
Jamnagar 649181 1100727 92 - 155.99 69.6 148.6 Anjar 87183 123233 6.6 77 9.33 41.4 8.63 Okha 62052 275295 2 - 8.87 34.5 19.27 Dwarka 38873 47972 1.5 - 1.85 23.3 3.36 Khambhalia 41734 50752 4 25 4.86 21.5 3.55 Mandvi 51376 67790 5.9 49 7.78 31.9 9.15 Salaya 33246 45068 0.5 100 0.68 36.0 3.15 Bhachau 39532 72564 2.7 44 4.96 83.7 5.08 Dhrol 25883 29588 4 - 4.57 14.3 3.99 Maliya 15964 19280 1.5 - 1.81 20.7 1.35 Sikka 28814 55937 1.8 - 3.49 93.9 3.92 1073838 1888206 122.5 204.21 66.7 210.05 BIS standard: 135 LPCD with sewage facilities, 70 LPCD without sewage facility
There are problems associated between source of water supply and demand.
Mandvi, Anjar and Bhachau towns are heavily dependent on ground water for their
water supply. These talukas fall in over exploited category of ground water
development, therefore with increase in urban population in future the groundwater
situation expected to worsen in the future.
There is need to implement water conservation strategies and increase in rain
harvesting system to sustain the water needs. There is proposal for Narmada water
and work on Maliya branch canal initiated. This would help to ease out water
problem in the region. However, complete dependency on Narmada waters
avoided. Already there are number of minor dams sanctioned in the upstream
region of Narmada River in Madhya Pradesh and in case of rain failure, the release
of waters would be low. One positive part is that there is plan to fill up the reservoirs
of Jamnagar with excess water from the Namada and this would help in better
recharge of the streams and ground water as well.
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4 CONSERVATION PLAN
Based on the secondary literature and analysis of the data, major critical issues of
each taluka highlighted and indicated in the table 35. In general decline in open
land, grazing pressure, increase in agricultural activities and dependency on ground
water resource are the major issues faced by the coastal talukas. Apart from this
talukas like Maliya, Anjar, Bachchau, Mandvi face soil salinity and soil degradation
problem.
Increase in port activities would be major challenge in the years to come. Along with
the integration of fishermen with the main stream of workers is difficult task to
handle. These fishermen come from a background, where in they have no skills that
would suite the requirement of the industries and therefore are the losers. Better
training facilities to integrate them with the need of the industry chalked out.
With the increase in industries and urban centres, waste generation and disposal is
an issue of worry. New technologies that would help in better utilisation of the
waste implemented. Perhaps experiences from Sweden that is declared zero waste
and the waste to generate electricity.
Based on the distribution of threatened and endemic species from the primary data
collected ecological important area and biological hot spots are marked out. These
areas need to be conserved for future and perhaps declared these areas as biological
heritage sites similar to that of archaeological heritage sites.
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Table 35: Issues identified talukawise with conservation plans
Taluka Issues Conservation plan Lakhpat Salinity ingress (TDS increased from 5,000 ppm
(1190) to about 9,000 ppm (2010) in Narayan Sarovar) Dependency on GW (60% irrigation and 88%
domestic water supply is done by ground water) Presence of endemic and threatened species Decline in population of Khariya breed of camel 3000
(1982) to 496 (2007) Increase in grazing pressure (browsers population
from 21,692 (1988) to 67,317 (2007) Proposed mining and cement industry (setting up of
mineral based SEZ with 2.4 million TPA of Cement Plant, approved mining in 3319 ha)
Small cheek dams across the rivulets would help in improving the GW recharge.
Declaration of ecological rich area and biological hot spot as Biodiversity heritage sites for conservation of species.
Special conservation efforts for Khariya breed of camel through interactive efforts. Study on optimum population that the mangrove of the region can sustain should be carried out.
EIA process be stringent in this taluka as this represent endemic species and there is decline in population reported.
Abdasa Naliya
GW saline (TDS >2000 ppm) and high dependency (60% irrigation and 93% water supply by GW)
Conversion of open grazing land (reduction in 10% from 1997 to 2013) and overgrazing (grazing land per livestock reduced from 1.02 ha (1997) to 0.62 ha (2007).
Decline in marine fishery and closure of fish landing centres from 28 (2003) to 22 (2007)
Infestation of Prosopis juliflora replacing native vegetation
Small cheek dams to recharge the GW water Promote cultivation of fodder crops to sustain the livestock Sustainable fishery and add value products to improve the
revenue of fishermen. Prosopis be considered as source of firewood Conservation of GIB habitat
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Mandvi 33% of GW saline and remaing is being overexploited
Livestock dominated by browers (53%) Increase in mining areas (454 ha (1990) to 957 ha
(2005)) Intensive agriculture (83% of irrigation by GW)
pressure for domestic supply on the GW (94%) Tourism potential due to presence of heritage sites
and beach Nesting site of Olive Ridley turtle at Bada , Layja
Nana, and Mandvi palace beaches, 61 nests reported in 2013
Optimize use of water in agriculture by promoting dryland crops and water conservation agriculture techniques.
Mining leases be reviewed periodically and impact on the surrounding ecology be recorded as this taluka harness good population of migratory species.
Proposed Beach tourism be considered after reviewing the turtle nesting sites.
Proper disposal mechanism of solid waste and waste water generation due to high tourism in Mandvi
Mundra 32% of GW saline and predicted as grey category in 2025. Dependency on RO and Narmada canal
Decline in open fallow land (by 100 ha) and increase in grazing pressure ( Grazing land per livestock reduced from 0.12 ha (1997) to 0.08 ha (2007))
Increase in salt pans (doubled since 1997) Decline in mangrove area (from 5000 ha to 1335 ha
in 2010) Decline in fishery (7000 tonnes in 2001 to < 4000
tonnes in 2011) Increased port activity (11 Million MT in 2005 to 100
Million MT in 2014) Alteration in coastal morphology
Conservation and management of wetlands/waterbodies for effective ground water recharge
Promotion of Stall feeding Developing skills of the fishermen in sector of office
maintenance through training Coastal development be expanded and reviewed
periodically (every 3 years) for changes taking place in the costal ecology and morphology
Disaster management cell should be given priority
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Risk due to cyclones (in 1981, 1982, 1998, 1999 it was hit by cyclones)
Anjar Active tectonic plate and therefore at higher risk of earthquakes
Overexploitation of ground water and 48% of GW declared saline and would be catogrised as over exploited by 2025.
Decline in fishing activity. Active fishermen reduced by 50% in 2007 and fish catch declined from 3600 in 1998 to 400 tonnes in 2007.
Browsers dominate livestock (78% of total livestock in 2007) and grazing land per livestock reduced from 0.75 ha (1997) to 0.4 ha (2007)
Anjar town, has no proper disposal facility of solid waste
Disaster management cells need to be on high alert Conservation and protection of waterbodies and use the
same to recharge the GW aquifer CEPT and solid waste management practices be initiated at
this stage itself
Gandhidham Designated as saline taluka with limited scope of GW development
Reduction in open fallow lands by 15 % High industrial activity (10% area under industrial
development, with 207 indutries) and port activity with Kandla as the only major port
Improve the recharge capacity of freshwater lake by diverting runoff.
Study on sustainable hotel industry in Gandhidham Conservation of the existing mangroves CEPT and better waste disposal mechanism Improve the green cover through plantation within the
industrial zone of native species Bachhau Seismically very active; as it is close vicity of Anjar
having epicentre of 2001 eathquake GW declared saline and would be in the status of
Reduce dependency on GW and Narmada waters would help in effective GW recharge
Improve the green cover through plantation within the industrial zone of native species
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overexploited in 2025. Increase in area under industalisation and salt pans
(just 3 % in 1997 to 9% in 2013) Increase in buffalo population Reduction in number of active fishermen Management of solid waste (around 10 tonnes per
day)
High conservation value of Khadir islands have representation of endemic species and breeding ground of Flamingoes
Maliya Soil sodocity problem due to closeness to Little Rann of Kachchh
GW saline Poor vegetation growth and indicate degraded
system Decline in fishermen population
Regulating flow of water in the upstream dams Mangrove plantation activity need to be enhanced so as to
improve the fish breeding grounds Need to undertake plantations along the agricultural
hedges to retain moisture and remove soil sodicity problem
Jodiya Salinity ingress (TDS upto 7000 ppm) and dependency on GW more (79% of irrigation and 52% of domestic water by GW sources), by 2025 likely to turn grey
Agriculture expanded by 76% between 1997 and 2013.
Decline in fish catch (1100 tonnes in 2006 to 700 tonnes in 2011)
Native vegetation( like Acacia nilotica var indica, Salvadora persica, Capparis decidua, Balanites aegyptica) present in few pockets in gauchar land of villages
Improvised agriculture techniques need to be implemented to reduce dependency on GW.
Conservation of village ponds with adequate recharge wells
Increase in mangrove plantation efforts for the mudflats along the coast
Plantation of native species within the agricultural hedges to improve the green cover
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Jamnagar Taluka categorized as ‘grey’ in GW development. Fish catch declined (5000 tonnes in 2000 to 3000
tonnes in 2011) Limestone mining area increased as mining lease
increase from 81 ha (1990) to 127 ha (2005) Management of protected area of Marine National
Park admist port and industrial development is a big challenge for authorities.
Disposal of solid waste (260 tonnes per day) in catchment by Khijadia Bird Sanctuary creating threat for its existence
Sewage/ effluents treatment
Micro fractures to improve ground water seepage and recharge
All the rivers are dammed at the upstream and there is need to create small check dams for effective recharge of aquifer
Proper closure of mining are with effective restoration Damming at upstream have reduced the fresh water flow
in Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary and need to be addressed Releasing of untreated and improper treated effluents close
to the estuary could be harmful to the ecology of MNP.
Khambhalia Dependency on GW (92% of irrigation and 64% of domestic suppy) and taluka likely to turn grey by 2025
Low bird diversity largely due to loss of open areas and cultivation of fodder and castor
Conservation of small water bodies to improve the recharge
Strict monitoring of discharges from industrial zones to reduce air and water pollution
Need to bring the fishermen into the mainstream by introducing special schemes and imparting training
Need to go for multiple crop that provide habitat for the birds
Lalpur Over drawing of GW for agriculture (90 of irrigation by GW)
GW likely to run grey in 2025 Increased mining activity (increase in lease area from
500 ha in 1990 to 700 ha in 2006).
Improvised agriculture techniques for effective use of GW Conservation of wetlands Monitoring proper closure of mining areas with proper
restoration action Design of effective disposal of waste generated in the city
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Waste disposal in Lalpur city (around 10 tonnes/day)
Kalyanpur 36% of the GW saline and likely to be grey in 2025 High dependancy (90%) on ground water for
irrigation Developmental pressure (sand mining) in the turtle
nesting sites (Bhogat, Navadra, Sethala and Harshad mata)
Improvised agriculture techniques for effective use of GW Conservation and protection of waterbodies Conservation of the turtle nesting sites Cultivation of fodder to reduce the soil degradation
Okha Dwarka
Pressure on GW (94 % of irrigation and 57% of domestic water supply by GW) and likely to be grey in 2025
Grazing pressure very high (just 0.1 ha of grazing land per livestock)
Decline in fishery (71,000 tonnes in 2001 to 51,000 tonnes in 2011)
Tourism (17 lakh tourist visited Dwarka temple in 2012-13)
Release of waste (around 20 tonnes/day) into the open sea threatening marine life
Narmada canal would provide relief, but dependency on GW need to be checked.
Rainwater harvesting in the Dwarka to meet the demand due to high tourist inflow
Proper disposal of waste to prevent pollution of the coastline and the marine life especially the sea weeds that are food for the fish
Protection of corals on the open coast between Dwarka and Kachhigarh
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4.1 ECOLOGICAL RICH AREAS
Based on the primary data and the richness of the various locations surveyed
throughout the coastal talukas biologically important regions identified. The criteria
for the selection included: (i) presence of endemic plant species in good population
(ii) rich faunal diversity (iii) the location represented the general biodiversity of the
area.
Seven areas identified as ecological rich areas and require special attention to protect
the areas as these represent hte ecological unit of the region. All the regions are close
to industrial zone and face threat from encroachment or pollution in near future. The
detail decription of each of the sites described below.
4.1.1. Coastal track outside Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary The stretch between Guneri village and Gaduli village comprises of coastal terrain
with sandy and calcareous soil features. The area consists of grasslands interspersed
with Salvadora oleoides forming thick canopy and GBH more than 150m. The region
stands alone from other sites as it represented presence of endemic and threatened
species reported from Kachchh.
Important threatened species like Dactylandria welwitchii, Heliotropium rariflorum and
Dalechampia scandens recorded. Apart from this large population of Citrullus
colocynthis and Helichrysum cutchicum (endemic species) was also reported. Apart
from this, the grass species reported included Aristida adscensionis, Dactyloctenium
aegyptium and Chloris tenella.
Important animal species directly sighted in this location Indian Ratel. Thus,
presence of flagship species in the site itself indicates presence of good ecosystem.
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4.1.2. Coastal area near Pingleshwar
This area showed the presence of good population of migratory Crab plovers
(Dromas ardeola). The presence of crab plovers in large number indicate presence of
food in abundance especially crabs. The coastline is sandy and supports crabs. The
other bird species present in the region include black winged stilt, and other birds
like Snipe, sand piper etc.
Ghost crab at Pingleshwar
4.1.3. Open grassland area near Changdai
The open area is the common land present near village Changdai. The area
represents typical grasslands features with dominance of Aristida spp. The area
supported Chinkara (Gazella gazella) and around 6 were sighted. The area is
important as it lies outside the Naliya Bustard Sanctuary.
4.1.4. Dholavira
It is located in the khadir beyt well known site for remains of harrapan civilization.
The vegetation here includes Salvadora sp, Prosopis juliflora, Acacia sp., Cordia sp.,
Euphorbia neriifolia, Grewia tenax etc. and more than 150 plants. The main grass
species are Cymbopogon martini, Aristida adenemsoidis, Jinjvo/Marvel grass
(Dichanthium annulatum), Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Dhaman/Anjan (Cenchrus
ciliaris), Khevali/gharola (Sporobolus fertilis), Ganthelokhevan (Eleusine compressa),
Okrich (Sporobolus helvolus), Dabh/dabhado (Desmostachya bipinnata) etc.
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Mammalian species reported in this area include Indian Wild Ass (Equus hemionius
khur), Chinkara (Gazella gazelle, It is abundant in this island), Indian Wolf (Canis lupus
pallipes), Caracal (Caracal caracal), Indian Fox (Vulpes bengalensis), Desert Fox (Vulpes
vulpes pusilla), Stripped Hyena (Hyaena hyena), Desert Cat (Felis silvestris) etc (GEER
1999).
General vegetation of Dholavira
There is nesting site of greater flamingo on the northern and eastern side of the beyt
and therefore gains importance for protection.
4.1.5. Coastal belt between Dwarka and Okha
The stretch between Dwarka and Kachchigarh had corals, seaweeds and benthic
fauna. Coral belonging to class Anthozoa reported from intertidal region of
Kachchigarh. The morphological and sheltered natures of the two bays of
Kachchigarh protected corals from the strong currents of the Arabian Sea. Corals
also reported from intertidal region of Dwarka (3) and Okha (4). Apart from corals,
around 40 species of benthos recorded in the stretch with 30 gastropod species at
Dwarka location, 19 seaweed species were reported from Dwarka and 17 from
Kachhigarh in the intertidal region. The subtidal region in Kachhigarh area
harnessed good seaweed population as well (GES 2012).
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Favia pallida Coral recruites
There is need to conserve the area and promoted for ecotourism with concept of
awareness generation and sea walk could be organised.
4.1.6. Kori Creek
The estuaries and mangrove systems serve as nursery and spawning grounds for
number of shrimp and fish species. The major breeding grounds of fish in Kachchh
region are in Sir Creek, Kori creek and the small estuaries along the coastline. Most
of the species of mullet spawn at sea and the juveniles enter the estuaries that serve
as their nursery grounds. Kori Creek has good mangrove diversity and density and
is the major area of fish breeding in the region.
Estuarine and Fish breeding ground around Kori & Sir Creek
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4.1.7 Surajbari Creek-A critical habitat for prawn breeding
Surajbari creek, connecting Gulf of Kachchh and the Little Rann of Kachchh, is part
of the Gulf of Kachchh and is an important ecological unit of the coast of the gulf. In
the historic past, during the Mid-Holocene period, The Rann of Kachchh was part of
the sea and the Little Rann was an extended feature of Gulf of Kachchh. Due to
siltation and geomorphological changes over the period, it is now a flat saline land.
During monsoon, the rivers like Banas, Rupen, Sarswat, Machchhu, Brahmini,
Kankavati and Falku and other several streams discharge rainwater in the Little
Rannfrom from all sides, resulting in the inundation of the low-lying mudflats in the
Rann and Surajbari creek. . The waters of the Rann meet seawater in the Surajbari
creek. The salinity gradient of water varies from fresh water in the Rann to saline
seawater after Surajbari Creek in the gulf. This brackish water with salinity gradient
and with salinity difference between seawater and fresh water provide a unique
habitat for breeding of prawns and fishes.
The Little Rann of Kachchh along with Surajbari creek has great potential to support
marine and estuarine fisheries. It provides varied aquatic habitats (marine, estuarine
and fresh water) for several species of fishes and prawn. The mixing of tidal waters
from the Gulf of Kachchh with freshwater provide an important nursery ground for
prawns. Eleven species of prawn recorded in the catch of the Little Rann of Kachchh,
and bulk of the prawn catch contributed by Metapenaeuskutchensis and M. affinis. The
other species found in Surajbari creek are M. brevicornis, Parapeneopsissculptilis, P.
hardwickii, P. stylifera, Trachypenaeuspescandarensis, Palaemanstylifera,
Hippolysmataensirostris, Solenoceracrassicornis and Acetesindiicus. Catch of prawn in
the Gulf of Kachchh depends on health of Surajbari creek. Being a breeding ground
for prawns, especially local and endemic prawn species Metapenaeuskutchensis, the
Surajbari creek is a critical habitat and deserve for high degree of protection for
sustaining prawn fisheries in the gulf. In addition to prawns, 22 species of fishes
recorded in Surajbari creek (Singh et al 1999).
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In 1990s, about 8,663 active fishermen were involved in fish and prawn catch in the
LRK and Surajbari creek. Principal fishing ground in and around Surajbari creek are
Surajbari, Jangi, Tikar, Koparni, Nimaknagar, Khajarda, and Hanjasar villages.
Fishing was done in flat bottomed boats locally called a Paatiaris in shallow water of
about 1-2 meter depth, operating bag, stake and cast nets. This is traditional fishing
in the area which support a large number of fishermen families living around the
Rann. During 1990s, annual fish and prawn catch varied from about 4,100 metric
tonnes to 7,574 metric tonnes with average annual catch of about 6,000 metric tonnes.
Increasing salt manufacturing units at both sides of creek are the major threat to the
breeding ground in Surajbari creek.
Due to presence of prawns, fishes and zooplankton, a large number of water birds
enjoy feeding in this shallow water lake in monsoon and winter.
4.2. BIOLOGICALLY HOT SPOTS
The five Protected Areas (except Gaga GIB Sanctuary) in the study area considered
important conservation areas and they named as biodiversity rich or biodiversity hot
spots. The following important areas reported and described in detail (Figure 33):
4.2.1 Guneri village (Lakhpat Taluka)
Guneri is a small village located on the northern side of Lakhpat fort. The area at
present is under the Border Security Force and there is Guneri check post with low
human interference.
The area supported wetland as well as grasslands species. Endemic plant species
Helichrysum cutchicum reported in good population. Apart from this, other
threatened species like Dactylandria welwitchii, Citrullus colocynthis, Heliotropium
rariflorum, Dalechampia scandens were also reported. The other important vegetation
representing the arid system included Aristida adscensionis, Cress cretica Chloris spp.,
Eragrostris spp., Polycarpaea corymbosa and Cenchrus spp.
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Figure 33: Biological Hotspots around the Gulf
There is a reservoir in the village that provided habitat for pelicans and around 1000
sighted during the month of October 2013. The other birds reported from the area
included two near threatened species (as per IUCN red data book 2013) viz., Darters
(Anhinga melanogaster) and Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala) and Schedule I
species (as per WPA) viz., Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) and Eurasian Marsh Harrier
(Circus aeruginosus).
Apart from rich avifaunal diversity, chinkara (Gazella gazelle) and Indian Rattel
(Mellivora capensis) also sighted. The population of chinkara was 14.. The area also
showed the presence of herpetofauna Brook’s Gecko Hemidactylus brooki.
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White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus ) Chinkara (Gazella gazella)
Reservoir in the Guneri
There is need to carry out detailed survey of the area and record the biodiversity
including the herpetofauna.
4.2.2 Lakhota Lake of Jamnagar
Lakota Lake situated in the middle of the Jamnagar city, which support the large
number of species of birds during winter. Large congregations of Black headed Gull
(Larus ridibundus), Brown headed Gull (Larus brunnicephalus), Spotbill ducks (Anas
poecilorhyncha), and White Pelicans (Pelecanus onocrotalus) were sighted at Lakhota
Lake.
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White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus ) Gulls, Spotbill ducks and Grey heron
4.2.3 Near Nageshwar temple of Dwarka
Wetland which is situated behind Nageshwar temple which support good number
of terrestrial as well as aquatic birds like Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea), Little Grebe
(Tachybaptus ruficollis), Little Cormorant (Phalacrocorax niger), Darters (Anhingidae
melanogaster), Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope).
Moreover, wetland is surrounded by thorny vegetation like Prosopis, Acacia,
Euphorbia sp. which supports residential birds like House Crow (Corvus splendens),
House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) as well as migratory species of birds like Rosy
Starling (Sturnus roseus).
The area sustains native grasses and invasion by Prosospis julifora is threatening the
ecosystem.
Little Cormorant (Phalacrocorax niger) Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope)
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4.2.4 Lakshar (Topansar) lake (Mandvi Taluka)
Lakshar Lake is situated in center of the Mandvi city. It is surrounded by the trees,
which support the roosts for the birds like cormorants and egrets. Moreover,
congregations of the Black headed gull (Larus ridibundus), Brown headed gull (Larus
brunnicephalus), and little cormorants (Phalacrocorax niger) were observed during
winter season. Near threatened speceis of bird like Oriental White Ibis (Threskiornis
melanocephalus), Black–necked stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) (as per IUCN red
data book 2013) were observed summer. Lake support vegetation like Cyperus
nutans, and other wetland sp.
Ibises, and Cormorants Black headed gull (Larus ridibundus), Brown headed gull (Larus brunnicephalus)
Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) Black–necked stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus)
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4.2.5 Gurgadh Village (Kalyanpur taluka)
The creek passes through this village therefore, it supports both the type of aquatic
species of birds, fresh and marine water birds like Ruff (Philomachus pugnax),
Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago), Blacktailed Godwit (Limosa limosa), Common
Redshank (Tringa totanus), Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber), Western Reef
egret (Egretta gularis). Further, it also support near threatened speceis of bird like,
Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala), Oriental White Ibis (Threskiornis
melanocephalus) (as per IUCN red data book 2013). Moreover, this village cultivate
different crops which support agro-birds like , Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), Eurasian
collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto). It is unique habitat which suppport different
species of birds.
. 4.2.5 Turtle nesting sites in Kalyanpur taluka
Oriental White Ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus)
Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala) Western Reef egret (Egretta gularis)
Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) Blacktailed Godwit (Limosa limosa)
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The turtle nesting grounds reported towards east of the Bhogat and beyond Navadra
(Fig). The section between Navadra to Sethala mandir had the highest nesting
grounds of Olive Ridley and green turtle. Around 455 nests between Navadra to
Harshad mata mandir were recorded in previous study (Wesley et.al., 2004). The
major threats recorded were nest predation by the animals and collection of eggs for
human consumption. Indirect threats like the sand mining at the beaches were
recorded that led to the destruction of the nests.
Nesting site of Olive Ridley and green turtle in the Saurasthra coast
(Wesley et al., 2004)
4.2.6 Charkala Salt Work in Okhamandal
It is one of the Important Bird Area (IBA). There are 120 species of the birds reported
from this area. During winter migratory birds like Black-necked grebe (Podiceps
nigricollis), Great Creasted Grebe (Podiceps cristatus), Rosy pelican (Pelecanus
onocrotalus), Dalmatian Pelican (Pelicanus crispus) was observed. Other bird species
like stints, sandpipers, plovers, curlews and godwits recorded. Near threatened
species of birds like Darter (Anhinga melanogaster), Painted Stork (Mycteria
leucocephala), Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) and Lesser Flamingo
(Phoenicopterus minor) were sighted. Due to presence of this birds this site select as an
Important Bird Area. This place has ≥ 1 % of bio-geographic populations of many
species as well as ≥ 20,000 water birds (Islam and Rahmani, 2004).
Major threat is the use of mangroves as fuel wood by the local people, which
destroys the nesting activity of the residential bird species.
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4.2.7 Euphorbia-Gorad-Guggal forest in Okhamandal
The area falls under reserve forest area and has good population of Commiphora
wightii growing in wild. The gum of the plants is of high quality and growng
naturally in wild. The combination of Euphorbia spp and Acacia senegal (Gorad) is
unique in this forest. Such natural areas need protected to conserve the gene pool.
4.2.8 Navinal area, Mundra
Navinal area at Mundra has representation of native vegetation of Kachchh. Some of
the important thereatened plant species reported from the region include Dipcadi
erythraeum, Helichrysum cutchicum, Ephedra foliata, Heliotropium rariflorum, Tribulus
rajasthanensis, Pavonia ceratocarpa, Convolvulus stocksii, Commiphora wightii. Out of this
Helichrysum cutchicum, Ephedra foliata and Tribulus rajasthanensis are endemic species.
Gujarat State Biodiversity Board proposes to declare the area as Biodiveristy heritage
site and as the site is close to Mundra SEZ, it deserves more protection.
4.2.9 Wetlands of the coastal talukas
Coastal region of Kachchh and Jamnagar district is dotted with small but important
wetlands. These wetlands support good number of resident as well as migratory
species. Important bird spcies reported are plovers, sandpipers, flamingoes, pelicans,
cormorants, grebe, Jacana, storks, ducks, geese and others.
The number of water bodies in each taluka presented in the table below. Lakhpat has
the maximum number of waterbodies.
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S No. Name of Talukas Total number of water
bodies 1. Lakhpat 23 2. Abdasa-Naliya 12 3. Mandvi 17 4. Mundra 10 5. Gandhidham 1 6. Anjar 14 7. Bhachau 14 8. Maliya 4 9. Jodiya 3 10. Jamnagar 12 11. Lalpur 5 12. Kalyanpur 5 13. Khambhaliya 4 14. Okha- Dwarka 9
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e – link
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
http://www.censusindia.gov.in
http://www.india-wris.nrsc.gov.in
Http://indiawater.gov.in/imisreports/nrdwpsubmaindist.aspx?Rep=55&t=S# (rural water supply)
http://bhuvan3.nrsc.gov.in/bhuvan/bhuvan/bhuvan2d.php
http://www.imd.gov.in/
http://gpcb.gov.in/annual-report.htm
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ANNEXES
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ANNEX I
PROTECTED AREAS
The study area has four important protected areas viz., Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary,
Kachchh Bustard Sanctuary, Khijadia Bird Sanctuary, Marine National Park and
Sanctuary. The description of each protected areas comprising of flagship species,
location, problems associated are described in the following text.
Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary
Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary lies between 23°27’ – 23°42’ N latitude and 68°30’ –
68°57’ E longitude. It was an important reserve area of ex-princely state of Kachchh
and declared a Sanctuary in 1981. The area of the Sanctuary is 444.2 km2 and there
are 31 villages within the sanctuary. Sanctuary exhibit the edaphic climax of tropical
thorn forest and is a unique area that support 15 threatened species of wildlife
belonging to Schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) Act.
Dominant plant species are Acacia nilotica, Salvadora spp, Euphorbia spp., Commiphora
wightii, Balanites sp., Capparis spp., Carissa spp., Tamarix diocia, Suaeda sp., etc.
Sanctuary supports 11 threatened plant species as mentioned in Red Data Book of
Indian Plants viz. Campylanthus ramosissimus, Citrullus colocynthis, Commiphora
wightii, Dipcadi erythraeum, Helicrysum cutchicum, Heliotropium bacciferum, H.
rariflorum, Ipomoea kotshyana, I. caerulea, Tribulus rajasthanensis, Ephedra foliate
(Pardeshi et al., 2010).
Important animal species of the region were caracal, desert fox, desert cat, ratel,
chinkara and pangolin. The population of Chinkara rose from 950 in 1989 to around
1500 in 1999. The population of Blue bull increased from 61 in 1989 to around 350 in
1999 (Anon 1999).
The sanctuary provided habitat for threatened bird species like Ardeotis nigriceps
(Great Indian Bustard), Chlamydotis undulate (Houbara Bustard), Sypheotides indica
(Lesser Florican), Parus nuchalis, Pelecanus crispus (Dalmatian pelican), Aythya nyroca
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(Ferruginous poachard) and Aquila heliaca (Imperial eagle) (Singh 2001). Among
vertebrates, only five species of reptiles mentioned in various categories of IUCN
recorded. Varanus benghalensis, Sara hardwickii (Spiny-Tailed Lizard), Cytrodactylus
kachhensis (Banded Rock Gecko), Coelognathus helena (Common Indian Trinklet
snake), Echis carinatus (Indian Saw-Scaled Viper).
The management plan was prepared in 2006 (Anon 2006) and include the following
measures to strengthen conservation:
Strengthening the protection measures through demarcation, fencing and
barriers on strategic points and administrative infrastructure.
Zoning the sanctuary area (for sanctum-sanctorum and different management
zone) for effective conservation and development
Evolving in and around sanctuary (e.g. eco-development measures including
eco-tourism, micro-enterprises) within broad principle of self-helps.
Strengthening of research and monitoring base and create infrastructure for
access to information.
Problems associated: The major threat to the wildlife is from no proper demarcation
on the ground and free movement of human and livestock within the sanctuary
boundary (Anon 2006). The sanctuary overlaps with the revenue area and the locals
are highly dependent on sanctuary for firewood and other biological resources.
There exist heavy grazing pressures after the monsoon destroying the vegetation.
Industrial development and presence of mining sites around the sanctuary caused
damage to the habitat. Lignite mining sites of GMDC and open cast mining practices
result in heavy deposition of fine dust on the vegetation due to movement of
vehicles during the transportation of the ores.
Unregulated cattle grazing and invasive alien species is another major threat to the
sanctuary. Several grasslands eroded due to overgrazing (Pardeshi et al., 2010).
Collection and poaching of Sara hardwickii occur regularly in the NSS by some
nomadic tribes (GUIDE & GEER 2001) mainly for oil extraction and for food (meat)
and also due to some superstitious thoughts.
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Another threat is from road kills and species like, Hyena hyena; Felis chaus; Varanus
bengalensis, S. hardwakii; Varanus bangalensis and Echis carinatus were at high risk
from vehicle hits between Dayapar and Panandhro village (Pardeshi et al., 2010).
The Kachchh Bustard Sanctuary
The Kachchh Bustard Sanctuary notified in 1992 with an area of only 2.03 km2. The
Sanctuary is an important grassland ecosystem of the country. This open grassland
interspersed with sparse vegetation of bushy Zizyphus, Prosopis and Acacia is the
major habitat of India Bustard in the entire state. It supported rare and endangered
species such as lesser florican, chinkara, wolf, desert cat other grassland birds and
raptors. The population of GIB in the sanctuary increased from 29 individuals in
1999 to 48 in 2007 (Pandey et al., 2009) (Table bleow).
GIB population during different years at Kachchh Bustard Sanctuary
Year Population of GIB 1999 29 2001 35 2004 45 2007 48
(Source: Pandey et al., 2009)
Conservation measures undertaken include restriction of grazing during the
breeding season from February to September (Anon 2002-2011).
Major pressure to the sanctuary is from uncontrolled grazing and spread of Prosopis
juliflora. Another pressure is from expansion of agriculture field as well as
urbanization. Hunting is also one of the major threats for Great Indian Bustard.
Agricultural fields have encircled the sanctuary and GIB uses the habitat for various
purposes resulting in complains from the farmers.
Increased used of insecticides in cotton and groundnut crops is posing a mjor threat
to the birds. Mining and salt Industry around sanctuary is around threat. Tata
Chemical Ltd. situated at Mithapur but their saltpans constructed near sanctuary.
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There are bauxite mines present in Daban Wamoti, Naredi Nandra, Naredi-II, Roha
– Kotada- Jarjok, Mothala-Balachod that use open cast mining method and causes
dust storm during the dry season (Radadiya et al, 2011-12)
Khijadia Bird Sanctuary
Khijadia Bird Sanctuary was a revenue wasteland, declared protected area in 1981,
and expanded to 6.1 km2 in 1982. It comprises of shallow water lake, intertidal mud
flats, creeks, salt pans, saline land and scrub mangroves. Prosopis juliflora, Acacia
nilotica, Salvadora spp. are the main tree species. The sanctuary supported a variety of
water birds including migratory birds and identified as a breeding ground of
waterfowl. Some of the birds were – black-necked stork, painted stork, cranes,
ducks, herons, egrets, ibis and flamingos. Blue bull, jungle cat, mongoose are the
main mammalian species of the sanctuary.
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The management plan was prepared in 2002 (Anon 2002-2011).
Conservation and development of grass land ecosystem.
Conservation of genetic diversity of rare and endangered species of the area
by improving habitat of the sanctuary.
Preservation and improvement of grassland, wetland, marine, estuarine
ecosystem to provide ideal habitat for birds.
Build up scientific database through research organization by providing
facilities to researcher, and naturalists.
Eco-development works for the rural community living around the sanctuary
and reduced man-wildlife conflicts.
Threats
Agriculture and illegal grazing are the major threat faced by the sanctuary. Khijadia
saltpans situated on the boundary of the sanctuary and releases brine that sometimes
disturb the salinity regime of the sanctuary. The Sachana ship breaking industry is
also situated vicinity of the sanctuary and expansion of this industry will disturb the
ecology of the area. In case of droughts, there is low fresh water inflow into the fresh
water reservoir created on one side the bund, which affects the birds’ population.
Treatment in the upper catchment area is required to ensure requisite flow of
rainwater during the reservoir for the conservation of the birds.
Marine National Park
Marine National Park and Sanctuary is situated in inter- tidal zone along the
coast of Jamnagar. The National Park and Sanctuary cover an area of 448.2 km2 with
56 coastal villages. The MNP & MNS as per the notification of 1982 includes three
categories of areas namely 11.82 km2 of Reserve Forests, 347.90 km2 of unclassified
forests and 98.20 km2 territorial waters of India. The Gulf of Kachchh MNP & MNS
is the first of its kind established along the Indian coast, later followed the Gulf of
Mannar and others.
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Island wise area protected under the Act
Name of Area Area in ha Okha base Coral area near Mithapur village 56.00 Coral area near Okha village. 56.00 Coral area of Chundri reef. 266.00 Coral area near Shankhodhar. 70.00 Paga reef with its coral area 1267.86 Boria reef. 560.00 Devdi and Dhaba islands nearby coral area 49.00 Lafa marudi and Man marudi 5.00 Sanbelia bet 28.00 Khimrakhant and Garubet 56.00 Coral area in the Western part of Chank reef. 224.00 Bhaidar Bland and coral area to the east of Bhaidar. 1182.36 Chusna island and near by coral area 74.33 Coral area of the East of Marodi islands. 203.00 Naru bet and coral Area to the east of Naru bet 1330.63 Ajad island and near by coral area 255.72 Chank Island 27.98 Gandia kado 118.79 Panaro 171.21 Okhari 161.29 Morangi 162.06 Baraninas 27.07 Gorad 19.80 Dani 267.41 Bhalaninar 117.80 Khararaninal 409.38 Moshido 512.81 Kakadi 358.63 Salayani Nar 92.21 Raibet 43.82 Bhalarinar 50.18 Bharana jungle 22.81 Karumbhar island 2468.05 Coral area near Western side of Karumbhar island 133.00 Bhad 717.19 Narara Jungle 792.36 Narara Reef 84.00 MNP Okha base 12441.75 Jamnagar base Coral area near Sikka creck. 70.00 Coral area in the eastern part of goose reef. 56.00 Jhanjharawadi 582.92 Chakhadi (Navada) 79.19
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Name of Area Area in ha Bhesbid 264.42 Sanero 36.60 Chhad island 1064.00 Pirotan island With coral area 300.54 Jindro island 991.58 Shikotrititadhora 118.87 Raval Pirnu Jungle 283.33 MNP Jamnagar base 3847.45
(Source: GURARAT GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, EX., Notification No. AKH-138-(2)-82-WLP-1081-
126827-V2, Dated, 20-7-1982)
The area supports rich corals and sponges on 34 out of the total 42 islands. There are
seven species of mangroves (Avicennia spp., Rhizophora mucronata.), seagrasses
(Aleuropus lagopoides, Sporobolus sp.) and other species (Salvadora sp, Suaeda sp).
Apart form these, the area has three species of endangered sea turtle, sea mammals
(Dugong, Dolphin and Whale) and about 200 species of water birds. In addition,
there are about 200 species of algae.
MNP with jetties and port limits
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The gradual ecological degradation and declining in population of some species
mentioned in the different report but it still supports rich flora and fauna. The
species documented by various studies have been summarised in a Table given
below.
Species diversity in Marine National Park, Jamnagar
Category No of species of fauna
Category No of species of flora
Fauna (Invertebrate) 462 Coastal vegetation 300 Sponges 74 Angiosperm 293
1 6
Hydrozoan 4 Gymnosperm Bryozoan 1 Mangroves Jelly fish 3 Algae 103 Sea anemone 4 Green algae 37
36 37
Hard coral 42 Red algae Soft corals 10 Brown algae Zoanthids 7 Sea -grass 3 Flatworm 4 Phytoplankton 53 Polychaet 4 Fauna( Vertebrate) 363 Echinoderm 8 Fishes 144 Ascidian 1 Birds Isopode 1 Water birds 123
85 Shrimps Terrestrial birds Crabs 21
1 5
51 5
27 136
2 2 2 2 2
Reptiles Lobster Sea snake 4
3 Barnacles Turtle Bivalve MarineMammals Cephalopods Dolphin 2 Prawns Porpoises 1 Gastropod Dugong 1 Urochordata Nudibranch Echiura Amphineura
Fauna 420 invertebrates +363 invertebrates
783
The management plan was prepared in 2002 with the following objectives: (1) to
preserve the coral reefs and marine bio-diversity, improve the health of the coral
reefs and its management (2) protection and rejuvenation of existing mangrove
forests management of coastal ecosystem, regularization of tourists and (3)
providing better facilities to the tourists and socio eco-development of the area. In
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the initial phase the infrastructrure facilities were upgraded and capacity building
programmes of the staff undertaken.
Major problem of MNP is the stakes of number of government agencies on the area
and now a map drawn in association with GMB demarcating overlapping the
boundaries. Another major problem affecting the area is pollution from industries
and sewage disposal from the urban centres.
There are 57 villages of six Talukas which are located on the coast. Some villages like
Jodiya, Navagam (Ghed), Bedi, Sikka, Salaya and Okha are bigger in size. The
population as at large is comprised of vaghers, Muslims, Rabaris, Bharvad, Darbar
and miscellaneous communities like vaniya Brahmin and Lohana. Under the
management plan, there is provision for using the skills of the fishers folks for
betterment of sanctuary and national park. Local educated youth identified and
trained in eco-tourism. Solar light facilities installed in the remote villages.
Jamnagar district has around 34 medium and large-scale industrial units involved in
production of solvents, edible oils, cement, yarn, agriculture equipment, soda ash,
salt, and fertilizers, about 69% of these are concentrated in Jamnagar taluka only.
There are over 12,700 small-scale industries operating in Jamnagar, covering an area
of 225 ha (Table below). Most industries under SSI in Jamnagar are metal industries,
food products, rubber, and plastic products.
Industrial Estates in Jamnagar
Industrial estates Area, ha Jamnagar II 136.12 Arambhadu 22.20 Bhanvad 3.32 Jamnagar I 53.48 Jam Khambhalia 1.00 Dhrol 1.00 Bhatia 7.97 225.09
The present scenario in the Gulf for industries mix shows 21 salt work units along
the coast spread over an area of 10,325.27 ha, extracting about 2 million tones of salt
(2/3 of state). Tata Chemicals and Associated Cement Company at Mithapur,
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Digvijay Cement Factory and Unit of Gujarat State Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited
at Sikka, Salaya-Mathura oil pipeline; Crude oil terminals of Indian Oil Corporation
at Vadinar, Reliance Petroleum and ESSAR. To facilitate unloading of oil from Very
Large Crude Carrier (VLCC), Nine Single Buoy Moorings (SBM) placed along the
southern shore of the Gulf. Most of these activities are either close to or inside the
MNP & MNS.
Rapid geomorphologic changes in the area observed during the last three decades
such as silting up, joining and migration of creeks at the head of the Gulf (Grover
and Sareen 1997). These changes have implications not only for the new industrial
investment but also for aquatic environment and its dependant biodiversity. The
impact of construction of ports and movement of traffic, especially oil cargo, need to
study in more details on environment and biodiversity, especially for ecologically
sensitive biota and economically important biota resources.
A modeling study done by DOD in 2007, considered SPMs, pipeline leakage and oil
tankers transporting ~ 40 MMTA (Kankara and Subramaniam 2007). They projected
number of tankers to increase to 480 in coming years. The modeling assumed three
different scenarios of impact on MNP, based on wind direction.
Figure Spread of oil during winter calm conditions
(Source: Kankara and Subramaniam 2007)
Figure Spread of oil during SW monsoon.
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(Source: Kankara and Subramaniam 2007)
Figure Spread of oil during NW wind (mainly in summers).
(Source: Kankara and Subramaniam 2007)
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It is inferred that, the maximum damage to corals would occur in the intertidal
region in Salaya when the oil reaches this area in calm wind conditions. These
intertidal coral reefs exposed during low tide, and oil may strand on reef flats.
Submerged and subtidal reefs of the gulf have the probability of exposure to oil
mainly due to the dispersed fraction of oil and, to some extent, oil-coated sediment.
Due to high tidal currents, the subtidal reefs have relatively low risk from an oil
spill, but repeated spills can lead to severe decline in coral community in this region
also.
The study indicated that the layer of oil slick on the water surface would reduce the
wave action in coastal waters. This would attract the flying birds, which may get
trapped in the sticky emulsified layer of oil. A 0.1-mm-thick oil layer is assumed to
create ‘‘high risk’’ to sea birds. Therefore, even a small quantity of oil spill may
befatal to birds when the oil adheres to and penetrates into the plumage leading to
reduction in heat insulation.
Plenty of mangrove patches are located along the coast near the oil installations.
Most of the mangrove patches are associated with reef, mudflats, and sea-grass
ecosystems. These productive ecosystems are at high risk.
It could be seen that damage to marine life in cases of calm and wind from North
direction, damaging reef in length of 5 to 10 km, particularly in the region of Narara
and Karumbhar beyt.
Gaga Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary
The Gaga Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary covers an area of 332.87 ha of Gaga village
of Kalyanpur taluka in Jamnagar district is divided into two parts. The area is the
grassland intermixed with saline scrubs. Prosopis scrubland and saline grassland are
two major ecosystems. The high tidal zone adjoining the sanctuary adds
conservation value to the area. The cultivated fields and wastelands surround the
Sanctuary.
Due to presence of the endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB), the area recognised
for its conservation value. Dr. Salim Ali sighted bustard in this area in 1976. Great
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Indian Bustard not seen now but the Sanctuary supports different terrestrial birds
and some wild mammals. Prosopis juliflora has colonized large area of the Sanctuary.
Capparis sp. (Kerdo), Acacia senegal (Gorad), Salvadora sp. (Piloo) are the other main
tree/shrub species. Cyperus sp., Sporobolus, Dichantheum sp. and Suaeda sp. constitute
the major ground flora.
Three to five Great Indian Bustards perhaps survived in 1980s. Birds like larks,
partridges and sand grouses sighted in the area. The Sanctuary and the surrounding
areas support wild mammals like wolf, jackal, mongoose, jungle cat and blue bull.
Mmigratory cranes and harrier visit the sanctuary.
Local people demand this area for grazing their livestock. The Sanctuary is facing
several problems, and invasion of the Prosopis chilensis and degradation of the
grassland habitat is the major of them. The two parts of the Sanctuary is separated
by a distance of over one kilometer. This makes management a difficult task.
Frequent droughts, scarcity of water and salinity ingress are other severe problems.
There are no water sources in the area. Settlement works are incomplete. Overall,
status of management is very poor due to the nature of the area and the problems
associated with the use of the land. The bustards have disappeared due to habitat
degradation. Invasion of Prosopis chilensis, which engulfs the grassland and heavy
grazing pressure, are the most responsible factors for its degradation.
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Annexure II: Checklist of plant species reported from agriculture fields
S N O Name Gandhidham
Anjar
Bhachau
Okha
Khambaliya
Jamnagar
Jodiya
Lalpur
Kalyanpur
Lakhpat
Mandvi
Mundra
Maliya
Abdasa
1. Barleria prionitis √ 2. Blepharis maderaspatensis √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 3. Justicia diffusa √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 4. Lepidagathis trinervis √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 5. Ruellia tuberosa √ √ 6. Avicinnea marina √ √ 7. Achyranthus asper √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 8. Achyranthus globosa √ 9. Aerva javanica √ √ √ √ √ √
10. Aerva persica √ √ √ √ 11. Celosia ajansa √ 12. Phoenix dactylifera √ √ √ √ √ √ 13. Borassus flabefera √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 14. Cocus nucifera √ √ 15. Pentatropis spiralis √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 16. Pergularia daemia √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 17. Calotropis procera √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 18. Leptadaneia pyrotechnica √ √ √ √ √ 19. Sarcostemma acidum √ √ 20. Acanthospermum
hispidum √
21. Blumea mollis √ 22. Echinops echinatus √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 23. Grangea maderaspatana √ √ 24. Laggera aurita √ 25. Launea procumbens √ √ √ √ √ √
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S N O Name Gandhidham
Anjar
Bhachau
Okha
Khambaliya
Jamnagar
Jodiya
Lalpur
Kalyanpur
Lakhpat
Mandvi
Mundra
Maliya
Abdasa
26. Parthenium hysterophorus √ 27. Pulicaria wightiana √ 28. Tricholepsis radicans √ 29. Tridax procumbens √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 30. Vernonia cinerraria √ 31. Vioca indica √ 32. Xanthium strumarium √ √ 33. Balanites aegyptiaca √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 34. Trichodesma indicum √ √ √ 35. Heliotropium
currasivacum √ √ √ √ √ √
36. Heliotropium ovalifolium √ √ √ √ 37. Heliotropium sublatum √ √ 38. Commiphora wightii √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 39. Opuntia elatior √ √ √ 40. Cassia italica √ √ √ √ 41. Cassia auriculata √ √ √ √ √ √ 42. Tamarindus indica √ 43. Caesalpinna alata √ 44. Cassia fistula √ 45. Cassia esculentus √ 46. Cleome viscosa √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 47. Maerua oblongifolia √ 48. Cadaba indica √ √ 49. Capparis decidua √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 50. Capparis spinosa √ √ √ √ √ √ 51. Maytenus emarginata √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 52. Suaeda fruticosa √ √
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S N O Name Gandhidham
Anjar
Bhachau
Okha
Khambaliya
Jamnagar
Jodiya
Lalpur
Kalyanpur
Lakhpat
Mandvi
Mundra
Maliya
Abdasa
53. Suaeda nodiflora √ 54. Salicornia brachiata √ 55. Commelina bengalensis √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 56. Ipomoea aquatica 57. Ipomoea pes carpe √ 58. Ipomoea pestigredis √ 59. Rivea hypocrateriformis √ 60. Convovulus microphyllus √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 61. Cressa cretica √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 62. Merremia emarginata √ √ 63. Citrullus colocynthis √ √ √ 64. Cucumis prophetarum √ √ √ √ 65. Dactyliandra welwitschii √ 66. Cuscutta reflexa √ 67. Cyperus bulbolus √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 68. Cyperus bulbosus Vahl √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 69. Cyperus compressus √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 70. Cyperus compressus L. √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 71. Cyperus esculentus L. √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 72. Cyperus iria L. 73. Cyperus nutans √ 74. Cyperus rotundifolius √ 75. Digitaria adscendens √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 76. Sericostoma pauciflorum √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 77. Cordia gharaf √ √ 78. Dalechampia scandens √ √ √ √ 79. Chrozophora plicata √ √ 80. Euphorbia clarkeana
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S N O Name Gandhidham
Anjar
Bhachau
Okha
Khambaliya
Jamnagar
Jodiya
Lalpur
Kalyanpur
Lakhpat
Mandvi
Mundra
Maliya
Abdasa
81. Euphorbia hirta √ 82. Euphorbia caudicifolia √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 83. Abrus precatorius √ √ 84. Alysicarpus vaginalis √ √ 85. Crotolaria burhia √ √ √ √ 86. Desmodium 87. Indigofera linnea √ 88. Taverniera cuneifolia √ √ √ 89. Tephrosia purpurea √ 90. Indigofera cordifolia √ √ 91. Indigofera oblongifolia √ √ √ √ √ 92. Butea monosperma √ √ √ 93. Fabaceae S-31 √ 94. Enicostemma axillarie √ 95. Enicostemma hypsofolium √ √ 96. Ocimum indicum √ √ √ √ √ √ 97. Asparagus racemosus √ √ √ 98. Aloe vera √ √ √ √ 99. Abutilon indicum √ √ √ √
100. Abutilon polyandrum √ 101. Sida alba √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 102. Sida cordata √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 103. Sida spp. (S-25) √ 104. hibiscus sp. √ 105. malvacea? √ √ √ 106. Marytina annua √ 107. Azadirachta indica √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 108. Cocculus hirsutus √ √ √ √
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S N O Name Gandhidham
Anjar
Bhachau
Okha
Khambaliya
Jamnagar
Jodiya
Lalpur
Kalyanpur
Lakhpat
Mandvi
Mundra
Maliya
Abdasa
109. Tinospora cordifolia √ √ 110. Mimosa pudica √ √ 111. Mimosa hamata √ √ √ √ 112. Prosopis juliflora √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 113. Prosopis cinneraria √ √ √ √ √ 114. Acacia farnesiana √ √ √ √ 115. Acacia jacquemontii √ √ √ 116. Acacia leucopholea √ √ √ √ 117. Acacia nilotica sub sp
astringens √
118. Acacia nilotica sub sp indica
√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
119. Acacia senegal √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 120. Acacia tortilis √ 121. Pithecellobium dulce √ √ 122. Glinus lotoides √ √ √ 123. Glinus oppositifolius √ 124. Mollugo hirta √ 125. Boerhavia chinensis √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 126. Boerhavia diffusa √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 127. Argemome mexicana √ 128. Periploca aphylla √ 129. Dyerophytum indicum √ √ 130. Aeluropus lagopoides √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 131. Andropogon spp √ 132. Apluda mutica L. C 133. Aristidia hystrix √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 134. Cenchrus biflorus Roxb. √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
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S N O Name Gandhidham
Anjar
Bhachau
Okha
Khambaliya
Jamnagar
Jodiya
Lalpur
Kalyanpur
Lakhpat
Mandvi
Mundra
Maliya
Abdasa
135. Chloris barbata √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 136. Chloris virqata √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 137. Chrysopogon fulvus (Spr.)
Chiov.
138. Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.
√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
139. Dactyloctenium aegyptium (L.) P. Beauv.
√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
140. Dichanthium annulatum (Forsk.) Stapf
√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
141. Digitaria adscendens (H. B. & K.) Henrard
√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
142. Echinochloa colonum (L.) Link
√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
143. Eleusene indica √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 144. Eragrostis ciliaris (L.) R.
Br. √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √
145. Eragrostris tenella √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 146. Paspalidium distans √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 147. Paspalum conjugatum √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 148. Setaria glauca √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 149. Setaria tomentosa (Roxb.)
Kunth
150. Setaria viridis √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 151. Sporobolus marginatus √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 152. Sporobolus pallidus √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 153. Themeda triandra √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 154. Saccharum spontaneum √ 155. Polygonum plebium √ √
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S N O Name Gandhidham
Anjar
Bhachau
Okha
Khambaliya
Jamnagar
Jodiya
Lalpur
Kalyanpur
Lakhpat
Mandvi
Mundra
Maliya
Abdasa
156. Clematis hedysarifolia √ 157. Zizyphus nummularia √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 158. Zizyphus mauritiana √ 159. Oldenlandia aspera √ 160. Salvodora oleodies √ √ √ 161. Salvodora persica √ √ √ √ √ 162. Linderbergia indica 163. Lindernia crustacea √ 164. Stemodia viscosa √ 165. Datura metel √ √ √ 166. solanum incanum 167. Solanum xanthocarpum √ √ √ √ √ 168. Tamarix aphylla √ √ 169. Corchorus depressus √ √ √ √ √ 170. Triumpheta rotundifolia √ √ 171. Grewia tenax √ √ √ √ √ 172. Grewia villosa √ √ √ √ 173. Typha angustata √ 174. Phyla nodiflora √ √ 175. Lantana camara √ 176. Fagonia cretica √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 177. Tribullus terrestris √
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Annexure III: Check list of species of birds reported Kachchh Talukas
No Name of talukas Gandhidham Anjar Bhachau Mandvi Mundra Lakhpat Abdsa-
Naliya Species of Birds Scientific Name
1 Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis √ √ √ √ √
2 Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix grisea √ √ √ √ √ √
3 Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea √ √ √ √ √ √ 4 Bank Myna Acridotheres ginginianus √ √ 5 Baya weaver Ploceus philippinus √ √ √ √ √ √ 6 Bay-backed Shrike Lanius vittatus √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 7 Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus √ √ √ √ √ 8 Black Ibis Pseudibis papillosa √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 9 Black winged Kite Elanus caeruleus √ √ √ √
10 Black-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus √ √ √ √
11 Black-Necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus √ √
12 Blacktailed Godwit Limosa limosa √ √ √ 13 Black-rumped flameback Dinopium benghalense √ 14 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 15 Blue Rock Pigeon Columba livia √ √ √ √ √ 16 Brahminy Starling Sturnus pagodarum √ √ √ √ √ 17 Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus √ 18 Caspian Tern Sterna caspia √ 19 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 20 Citrine Wagtail √ √
21 Chesnut-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles exustus √
22 Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos √
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No Name of talukas Gandhidham Anjar Bhachau Mandvi Mundra Lakhpat Abdsa-
Naliya 23 Common Babbler Turdoides caudatus √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 24 Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita √ √ √ √ 25 Common Coot Fulica atra √ √ √ √ 26 Common Crane Grus grus √ √ √ √ √ 27 Common Crested Lark Galerida cristata √ √ √ √ 28 Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia √ 29 Common Hoopoe Upupa epops √ 30 Common Iora Aegithina tiphia √ √ √ 31 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus √
32 Common Lesser Whitethroat √ √
33 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus √ 34 Common Myna Acridotheres tristis √ √ √ √ √ 35 Common Pochard Aythya fuligula √ 36 Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula √ √ 37 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos √ √ √ √ √ √ 38 Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago √ 39 Common Stone Chat Saxicola torquata √ √ √ √ 40 Common Swallow Hirundo rustica √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 41 Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius √ √ √ √ 42 Common Teal Anas crecca √ √ 43 Common tern Sterna hirundo √ √ √ √ √ 44 Crab-Plover Dromas ardeola √ 45 Cream-coloured courser √ 46 Crimsonbreasted Barbet Megalaima haemacephala √ 47 Darters Anhinga melanogaster √ √ √ √ 48 Demoiselle Crane Grus virgo √ 49 Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti √ √ √
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No Name of talukas Gandhidham Anjar Bhachau Mandvi Mundra Lakhpat Abdsa-
Naliya 50 Dusky Crag Martin Hirundo concolor √ 51 Eurasian collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 52 Eurasian Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus √ 53 Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope √ 54 Gadwall Anas Strepera √ √ √ 55 Garganey Anas querquedula √ 56 Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus √ √ √ √ 57 Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo √ √ √ 58 Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus √ 59 Greater short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla √ √ 60 Great Thick-knee Esacus recurvirostris √ 61 Greater coucal Centropus sinensis √ √ √ 62 Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber √ √ √
63 Grey Francolin Francolinus pondicerianus √ √ √ √ √ √ √
64 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea √ √ √ √ √ √ 65 Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica √ 66 House Crow Corvus splendens √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 67 House Sparrow Passer domesticus √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 68 House Swift Apus affinis √ √ √ √ √ 69 Indian BushLark Mirafra erythroptera √ √ √ √ √ √ 70 Indian Courser Cursorius coromandelicus √ √ 71 Indian Peafowl Pavo Cristatus √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 72 Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii √ √ √ √ √ √ 73 Indian Robin Saxicoloides fulicata √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 74 Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis √ √ √ √ √ 75 Indian Silver bill Lonchura malabarica √ √ √ √ √ √ 76 Jungle Babbler Turdoides striatus √ √ √ √ √ √ √
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No Name of talukas Gandhidham Anjar Bhachau Mandvi Mundra Lakhpat Abdsa-
Naliya 77 Large Grey Babbler Turdoides malcolmi √ 78 Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos √ 79 Lesser Flamingo Phoenicopterus minor √ √ √ √ 80 Lesser Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis √ √ 81 Lesser Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna javanica √ √ √ 82 Little Brown Dove Streptopelia senegalensis √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 83 Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger √ √ √ √ √ √ 84 Little Egret Egretta garzetta √ √ √ √ 85 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis √ √ √ √ √ 86 Little Stint Calidris minuta √ √ √ √ √ 87 Little Tern Sterna albifrons √ 88 Long Tailed Shrike Lanius vittatus √ 89 Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis √ √ 90 Marshall's Iora Aegithina nigrolutea √ √ 91 Median Egret Mesophoyx intermedia √ √ √ √ √ √ 92 Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis √ √ √
93 Oriental White Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus √ √ √
94 Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosa √ 95 Osprey Pandion haliaetus √ 96 Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus √ √ 97 Painted Sandgrouse Pterocles indicus √ √ 98 Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala √ √ √ √ √ 99 Pallid Harrier √
100 Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta √ 101 Pied Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus √ 102 Pied or White Wagtail Motacilla alba √ √ √ √ 103 Pintail Anas acuta √ √ √
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No Name of talukas Gandhidham Anjar Bhachau Mandvi Mundra Lakhpat Abdsa-
Naliya 104 Pintail Snipe Gallinago stenura √ 105 Plain Prinia Prinia inornata √ √ √ 106 Purple Moorhen Porphyrio porphyrio √ √ 107 Purple Sunbird Nectarinia asiatica √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 108 Red Collared Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica √ 109 Red Vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 110 Redrumped Swallow Hirundo daurica √ √ √ √ √ 111 Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 112 River Tern Sterna aurantia √ √ √ 113 Roseringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri √ √ √ √ √ 114 Rosy Starling Sturnus roseus √ √ √ 115 Rufous-backed Shrike Lanius schach √ √ √ 116 Rufoustailed Finch Lark Ammomanes phoenicurus √ √ √ √ 117 Rufous-tailed Shrike Lanius isabellinus √ √ 118 Ruff Philomachus pugnax √ √ 119 Rufous treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda √ 120 Scaly-Breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata 121 Shikra Accipiter badius √ 122 Shoveller Anas clypeata √ √ √ 123 Small Bee-eater Merops orientalis √ √ √ √ √ √ 124 Small Blue Kingfisher Alcedo atthis √ 125 Small Minivet Pericrocotus divaricatus √ 126 Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia √ √ √ √ 127 Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 128 Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris √ 129 Tickell's Flowepecker Dicaeum erythrorhynchos √ √ √ √ 130 Tuffted Duck Aythya fuligula √ 131 Variable Wheatear Oenanthe picata √ √ √
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No Name of talukas Gandhidham Anjar Bhachau Mandvi Mundra Lakhpat Abdsa-
Naliya 132 Western Reef Egret Egretta gularis √ √ √ 133 White Pelicans Pelecanus onocrotalus √ √ √ √ 134 Whitebreasted Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis √ √ √ √ √ √ 135 White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus √ 136 White-eared bulbul Pycnonotus leucotis √ √ √ √ √ √ 137 White-tailed Lapwing Vanellus leucurus √ √ √ √ 138 White-throated munia Lonchura malabarica √ √ √ √ 139 Wiretailed Swallow Hirundo smithii √ √ √ √ √ 140 Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava √ 141 Yellow-wattled Lapwing Vanellus malarbaricus √ √ √
Total Species 52 71 72 72 49 100 65
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Annexure IV: Check list of species of birds reported at Jamnagar and Rajkot Talukas
Species of Birds Scientific Name Jodiya Jamnagar Lalpur Khambhalia Dwarka Kalyanpur Maliya 1 Ashy Prinia Prinia socialis √ √ √ √
2 Ashy-crowned Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix grisea √ √ √ √ √ √ √
3 Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea √ √ √ √ 4 Bank Myna Acridotheres ginginianus √ √ √ √ √ √ 5 Baya weaver Ploceus philippinus √ √ √ √ √ √ 6 Bay-backed Shrike Lanius vittatus √ √ √ 7 Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 8 Black Ibis Pseudibis papillosa √ √ √ √ √ √ 9 Black winged Kite Elanus caeruleus √ √ 10 Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax √ 11 Black-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus √ √ 12 Blacktailed Godwit Limosa limosa √ √ √ 13 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus √ √ √ √ √ √ 14 Blue Rock Pigeon Columba livia √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 15 Brahminy Starling Sturnus pagodarum √ √ 16 Brown-headed Gull Larus brunnicephalus √ √ 17 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 18 Citrine Wagtail Motacilla citreola √ 19 Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos √ √ 20 Common Babbler Turdoides caudatus √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 21 Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita √ √ √ 22 Common Coot Fulica atra √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 23 Common Crane Grus grus √ √ √ √ 24 Common Crested Lark Galerida cristata √ √ √ 25 Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia √ 26 Common Iora Aegithina tiphia √ √
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Species of Birds Scientific Name Jodiya Jamnagar Lalpur Khambhalia Dwarka Kalyanpur Maliya 27 Common Myna Acridotheres tristis √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 28 Common Pochard Aythya fuligula √ √ 29 Common Redshank Tringa totanus √ 30 Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula √ √ √ 31 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos √ √ √ √ √ √ 32 Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago √ √ Common Stone Chat Saxicola torquata √ √
33 Common Swallow Hirundo rustica √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 34 Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius √ √ √ 35 Common Teal Anas crecca √ √ 36 Common tern Sterna hirundo √ √ √ √ √ 37 Crimsonbreasted Barbet Megalaima haemacephala √ √ √ √ 38 Darters Anhinga melanogaster √ √ √ √ 39 Demoiselle Crane Grus virgo √ 40 Dusky Crag Martin Hirundo concolor 41 Eurasian collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto √ √ √ √ √ √ Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata √ Eurasian Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus √
42 Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope √ 43 Gadwall Anas Strepera √ 44 Garganey Anas querquedula √ 45 Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus √ √ √ √ √ √ 46 Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo √ √ √ 47 Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus √ 48 Great Thick-knee Esacus recurvirostris √ √ 49 Greater coucal Centropus sinensis √ √ √ √ √ 50 Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber √ √ 51 Greater Short toed lark Calandrella brachydactyla √ √ 52 Grey Francolin Francolinus √ √ √ √ √ √ √
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Species of Birds Scientific Name Jodiya Jamnagar Lalpur Khambhalia Dwarka Kalyanpur Maliya pondicerianus
53 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea √ √ √ √ √ √ 54 Grey wagtail Motacilla cinerea √ √ 55 House Crow Corvus splendens √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 56 House Sparrow Passer domesticus √ √ √ √ √ √ House Swift Apus affinis √ √ √ √ √
57 Indian BushLark Mirafra erythroptera √ √ √ √ √ √ 58 Indian Nightjar Caprimulgus asiaticus √ 59 Indian Peafowl Pavo Cristatus √ √ √ √ √ 60 Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 61 Indian Robin Saxicoloides fulicata √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 62 Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis √ √ √ √ √ 63 Indian Silver bill Lonchura malabarica √ √ √ √ √ 64 Jungle Babbler Turdoides striatus √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 65 Large Egret Casmerodius albus √ √ 66 Large Grey Babbler Turdoides malcolmi √ √ √ 67 Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos √ √ 68 Lesser Flamingo Phoenicopterus minor √ √ 69 Lesser Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis √ √ 70 Lesser Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna javanica √ √ √ √ 71 Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca √ 72 Little Brown Dove Streptopelia senegalensis √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 73 Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 74 Little Egret Egretta garzetta √ √ √ √ √ √ 75 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis √ √ √ √ √ √ 76 Little Stint Calidris minuta √ √ √ √ 77 Little Tern Sterna albifrons √ 78 Mallard Anas Platyrhynchos √ 79 Median Egret Mesophoyx intermedia √ √ √ √ √ √
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Species of Birds Scientific Name Jodiya Jamnagar Lalpur Khambhalia Dwarka Kalyanpur Maliya 80 Northern Pintail Anas acuta √ 81 Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis √ √ √
82 Oriental White Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus √ √ √
83 Oriental White-eye Zosterops palpebrosa 84 Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus √ √ √ 85 Painted Sandgrouse Pterocles indicus √ √ √ 86 Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala √ √ √
87 Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus √
Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta √ 88 Pied Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus √ 89 Pied or White Wagtail Motacilla alba √ 90 Pintail Snipe Gallinago stenura √ 91 Plain Prinia Prinia inornata √ √ √ √ Purple - rumped sunbird Nectarinia zeylonica
92 Purple Moorhen Porphyrio porphyrio √ 93 Purple Sunbird Nectarinia asiatica √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 94 Red Collared Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica √ √ 95 Red Vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 96 Redrumped Swallow Hirundo daurica √ √ √ √ 97 Red-wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 98 River Tern Sterna aurantia √ √ √ √ 99 Roseringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 100 Rosy Minivet Pericrocotus roseus √ 101 Rosy Starling Sturnus roseus √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 102 Ruff Philomachus pugnax √ 103 Rufous-backed Shrike Lanius schach √ 104 Rufoustailed Finch Lark Ammomanes phoenicurus √ √ √
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Species of Birds Scientific Name Jodiya Jamnagar Lalpur Khambhalia Dwarka Kalyanpur Maliya 105 Scaly-Breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata √ 106 Shikra Accipiter badius √ √ √ √ 107 Shoveller Anas clypeata √ √ 108 Slender-billed Gull Larus genei √ 109 Small Bee-eater Merops orientalis √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 110 Small Blue Kingfisher Alcedo atthis √ √ 111 Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia √ √ √ √ 112 Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha √ √ √ √ 113 Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis 114 Tickell's Flowepecker Dicaeum erythrorhynchos √ √
Tuffted Duck Aythya fuligula √ Variable Wheatear Oenanthe picata √ √
115 Western Reef Egret Egretta gularis √ √ 116 White Pelicans Pelecanus onocrotalus √ √ √ 117 Whitebreasted Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis √ √ √ √ √ √ √ 118 White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus √ 119 White-eared bulbul Pycnonotus leucotis √ √ √ 120 White-tailed Lapwing Vanellus leucurus √ 121 White-throated munia Lonchura malabarica √ √ 122 Wiretailed Swallow Hirundo smithii √ √ √ √ √ 123 Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola √ √ √ 124 Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava √ √ √ Total Species 75 58 49 93 69
