Dholera ( Gujarat, India ) SIR ( Special Investment Region ): Campaign to save Bhal ( Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India ) ecology launched

Wildlife activities from Saurashtra opposing the proposed Dholera Special Investment Region ( DSIR ) project have undertaken a letter writing campaign, raising concerns about the threat propsed to the ecology and biodiversity of Bhal region.

They are posting letters to top shots in Union environment ministry, Ahmedabad collector, officials of environment and forest department in Gujarat and prominent wildlife conservationists across Indian raising their concerns.

Last week, Gujarat Pollution Control Board ( GPCB ) and Ahmedabad district collectorate held a public hearing on environmental impact assessment on the proposed DSIR. The site for the proposed DSIR is a rural area of approximately 920 square kilometers, comprising 19 villages of Dhandhuka taluka and three villages of Barwala taluka in Ahmedabad District.

“the areas where DSIR is proposed is unique grassland having rich bio diversity. The proposed DSIR is just 600 meters away from the Blackbuck National Park, which is a habitat of endangered species like lesser floricans, harriers, wolves and hyenas among others. The highest density of wolves in the country is in Bhal area. Moreover, the Blackbuck National Park in Velavadar is world’s largest roosting site for harriers. Out of 16 harrier species in the worl, at least four species of Montagu, Pallid, Eurasian Marsk and Hen are found here. All these aspects need to be takes care of. Hence, we are writing to the concerned authorities,” president of Dharamkumarsinhji Nature Conservation society in Bhavnagar Dr IR Gadhvi said.

He added that Bhal is of the 17 important bird areas in the state indentified by Indian Bird Conservation Network besides being the largest breeding ground for lesser floricans.

Activists claim that the ecological zones of Blackbuck National Park and proposed DSIR over lap at places which is very worrying.

“All wildlife conservationists and environment activists from the state are concerned over the adverse impact the DSIR will have on Bhal region, which is the wheat bowl of Gujarat. We want that this project should not be cleared without addressing these concerns. We will also write to National Wildlife Board for its intervention,” a wildlife activist from Bhavnagar Shrenik Shah said.  

Courtesy:- Times of India 

Chill out for Bird Watchers

Dasada Wild Ass Sanctuary, Dist. Surendranagar, Gujarat, India 

Distance: - 95kms

How to get there: - take Sarkhej – Sanand road and drive up to Zehnabad road

About the place: - the sanctuary is one of the last places on the earth where the endangered wild ass sub species Indian Wild ass Lives.

What to do there: -

Drive around along the open highway and you could spot several herds of the endangered wild ass. They are excellent runners.

Blackbuck Sanctuary, Velavadar, Gujarat, India

Distance: - 144 kms

How to get there: -Take Ahmadabad – Bhavnagar highway, turn left from Pipli-Fedara link Road.

About the place: - the sanctuary is populated by blackbucks, Blue Bull, antelope, wolves, jacket, Hyena, Wild Boars, jungle cat and a variety of birds as well. It has saline lands, high tidal mudflats and prosopis juliflora shrub land along with simple dense and sparse grasslands.

What to do there: - The roosting of harrier hawks at dusk is an incredible sight. More than 1,500 can be seen gathering at a single site. Meet the Kathi community members. Who like the Bishnoi community have protected the blackbuck.

Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, Dist. Surendranagar, Gujarat, India

Distance: - 54 kms

How to get there: -  Take Ahmadabad - Sanand Road and turn left from Sanand Crossroads. 

About the place: - the sanctuary is a Ramsar site and mainly comprises a huge lake of about 100 sq km and ambient marshes where you can see flamingoes, pelicans, geese, cranes, storks, ibises, spoonbills, wading birds, swallows, fishing eagles, osprey and harriers in great numbers during this season.

What to do there: - You can hire country boasts on the lake for bird viewing. For picnickers there are shacks on the islands. There are also two water parks nearby where children can have fun.

Thol bird Sanctuary, Ahmadabad, Gujarat, India

Distance: - 26 kms

How to get there: - Hop on the SP Ring Road, turn left from Shilaj crossroads and head straight.

About the place: - the sanctuary is a shallow freshwater body, surrounded by marshes on the edge and scrubby forest flanking its sides. This place is home to more than 100 species of birds. Cranes, geese, flamingoes, pelicans, egrets, herons, spoonbills, ducks, whistling teals and many other migratory birds can be seen here.

What to do there: - while driving to the lake, keep a watch for the variety of birds which populate the pools and canals on the way.

Polo – Vijaynagar Forests

Distance 148 kms

How to get there: - Take Himmatnagar Highway, enter Idar – Ambaji road and turn right from Mathasur Tri-junction.

About the place: - the Ancient Polo city was built around the river Harnav, an ancient water body spoken of in the Puranas.

What to do there: - It’s a picnickers’ paradise. The view from the old palace and a royal tank is breathtaking. Remnants of Jain shrines are know the world over.

Courtesy:- Times of India.