Banni Grassland

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Banni Grassland

News: Recently, the central government has approved a proposal to establish a cheetah conservation breeding centre in Gujarat’s Kutch district’s Banni grassland.

About:
• It is the largest grassland (accounting for 45% of pastures in Gujarat) in Asia situated near the Great Rann of Kutch in Gujarat.
• Two ecosystems, wetlands and grasslands, are mixed side by side in Banni.
• It is dominated by low- growing plants, forbs and graminoids, many of which are halophiles(salttolerant).
• It is a Reserve Forest (most restricted forest; local people are prohibited unless specifically allowed by a Forest Officer in the course of the settlement.
• Maldharis are a tribal herdsmen community inhabiting Banni.
• It is one of the last remaining habitats of the cheetah in India and a possible reintroduction site for the species.