Description

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Context:

The 32.78-hectare area of Guneri village in Lakhtar tehsil of Kutch district, which is a natural inland mangrove site, has been declared as the first Biodiversity Heritage Site of Gujarat.

About the Inland mangrove of Guneri

Attribute	Details
Location	Guneri, Kutch district, Gujarat
Seawater Influence	Seawater never approaches
Terrain	Sludge, flat soil, forest-like
Significance	Last remains of inland mangroves in India
Rarity	Inland mangroves are rare, reported only from eight places worldwide
Possible Origin	Assumed to have formed after a sea incursion during the Miocene period or on the bank of the Lost River (Saraswati River) in the Great Rann of Kachchh
Geological Features	Presence of limestone deposits in western Kutch
Role of Limestone	Provides a continuous flow of groundwater, supporting the mangrove ecosystem
Legal Protection	Notified under the Biodiversity Act, 2002
Government Action	State Government authorized to declare it as a Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS) after consulting local authorities

About Biodiversity-Heritage Site (BHS)

BHS are well-defined areas that are unique, ecologically fragile ecosystems - earthly, coastal, and inland waters, and Marine, which have a rich biological diversity and include some specific components (see table).

Criteria	Description
Richness of Species	Presence of both wild and domesticated species, including various intra-specific categories.
High Endemism	Presence of species that are unique to a particular geographic region.
Rare and Threatened Species	Includes rare, endangered, and keystone species, along with species of evolutionary significance.
Wild Ancestors	Presence of wild ancestors of domesticated or cultivated species, including their varieties.
Historical and Cultural Significance	Areas with fossil beds indicating past biological pre-eminence, cultural, ethical, or aesthetic values contributing to cultural diversity.
Human Association	Regions that have or have not had a long history of human interaction but remain significant for biodiversity conservation.

According to Section 37 of the Biodiversity Act of 2002, the state government may inform the biodiversity as BHS after consultation with local authorities.
After consulting the central government, the state government can also reduce the rules for the management and protection of BHS.
The National Authority for Biodiversity (NBA) advises the state government in the selection and administration of the site of the inheritance according to Section 37.
NBA is an autonomous and statutory body MOEFCC. The NBA (based in Chennai) was founded in 2003 by the central government for the purpose of implementing the Indian Act on Biodiversity in 2002.
According to the National Authority for Biodiversity (NBA), India has had a total of 45 BHS since February 2024.

Source:

INDIAN EXPRESS

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Mangroves are crucial to coastal ecosystems and provide numerous ecological, economic, and social benefits. Discuss the importance of mangrove ecosystems in India, the challenges they face, and the government initiatives for their conservation and sustainable management. (250 words)