06-bioresourcesstatu.. - M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation

Gulf of Kachchh
involved in the research activities in the Gulf of
Kachchh. But the systematic work which cover all
the aspects is sadly still lacking. Much of the work
concerned with only one aspect, at a time and at
a locality and bears academic interest only. The
education of the basic knowledge of marine
science in the schools, colleges and universities is
still lacking for the native people. Only MNP & S
authority conducts nature education camps at
different places for the awareness of marine life to
local school and college students.
f. Uniqueness and representative richness:
Overall diversity and status of life in this area
shows some unique features of the Gulf of
Kachchh. First of all, are the coral reefs, a living
paradise in the sea. Despite growing
anthropogenic pressure in this area, the coral
reefs are existing with good diversity of coral
species, associated invertebrates and algal flora.
The another important feature of the Gulf of
Kachchh is the mangrove ecosystem which is the
second in India. The wetlands in the Gulf of
Kachchh also support lot of diverse form of birds.
Hence, the Gulf of Kachchh is become one of the
important halts for many of the migratory birds.
V. Bio-resource Profile
i. Wild
a. Food/feed, fodder, firewood, timber :
The area in the vicinity of the Gulf of Kachchh is
always facing scarcity of drinking water and even
the agricultural status of this area is not good.
The coastal people mainly eat fish and other
marine products in their diets. Similar problem is
faced by the livestock over here, just after the
rains the cattle and camels need to be sustained
on the dry grasses. Camels have successfully
adapted their diet to some of the saline coastal
flora as well as the mangroves. But during the
past few years the Forest Department restricts
this. Even in drought mangroves are not allowed
to be used as fodder. This area does not have
sufficient forest for the use of timber or firewood.
So this is an additi0!1al burden again on the
mangroves. Many fishermen cut mangroves on the
island during their voyage for fishing. It is also
recommended to provide the local population a
supplementary SOl!rce of firewood to avoid illegal
cutting of mangroves.
The coastal area is devoid of big size trees. Mainly
growth of Euphorbia sp., Acacia senegal (Gorad),
Zizyphus mauritiana Bordi and Prosopis
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chilensis have been observed in the coastal area
of Jamnagar. In the past, the plantation of tree
species were carried out, however, the survival
percentage of Prosopis chilensis was higher
among all species and it has been established,
along the drainage areas and in some of the
pasture land. Earlier, the people used the fuel
wood of mangroves species, but the dependency on
mangrove species has been reduced considerably
due to enforcement of Wildlife Protection Act and
with the availability of fuelwood from alternative
source like Prosopis chilensis. The fuelwood of
Prosopis is used in the entire region.
As mentioned earlier; entire tract falls under arid
to semi arid region. The growth of the tree species
is stunted due to adverse climatic conditions. The
majority of demand for the timber is met by
bringing it from other areas of the state, other
states and countries. Small quantity of small
timber met from species like Acacia senegal,
Acacia leucogloea,Prosopis chilensis and Acacia
nilolica which grow locally.
The pasture lands and wastelands are overgrazed
and are in poor condition. Due to repeated grazing
and non-maintenance of good quality grasses, the
shortage of fodder is always experienced by the
people. The grass is collected and stored in the
godowns by the Forest Department. During the
scarcity time, the collected grass is given to the
villagers at subsidised rate. The grass produced in
this area is not sufficient to sustain the increasing
cattle population. Therefore, the people use
mainly the agricultural residue of Jawar,
groundnut and maize. The people also grow
wheat, fodder crop, etc. during winter wherever
water facilities exist and residue of such crop is
used as fodder by the people. The extent of
cultivation of such crop is very less.
There are 10 (4225 hal and 9 (10802 hal reserved
vidis in Jamnagar and Kachchh districts
respectively. The quantity of grass collection was
17 lakh kg and 10.6 lakh kg in Jamnagar and
Kachchh districts, respectively.
b. Minor Forest Produce/ NTFP :
The leaves of Avicennia officinalis (Cher) and
Ceriops condollena (Karod) are also eaten by the
cattle. The leaves of Commiphora wightii (Gugal)
are eaten by camel and goats and its gum is used
for rheumatism and skin diseases. The leaves of
Azadirachla indica area used as fodder, insect
repellent and oil from its seeds is used in
manufacturing soaps, disinfectants, emulsifying