Gujarat Declares Guneri Village's Inland Mangrove as First Biodiversity Heritage Site
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Why in News | Gujarat declared Guneri village's inland mangrove as the state's first Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS). |
| Location | Guneri village, Kutch district, Gujarat. |
| Geographical Significance | 45 km from the Arabian Sea, 4 km from Kori Creek. |
| Global Rarity | One of only eight known inland mangrove locations globally. |
| Ecological Feature | Thrives due to limestone deposits ensuring groundwater flow; flat area resembling a forest without sludge accumulation. |
| Biodiversity | Habitat for chinkara, wild boar, blue bull, Indian fox, jackal, Indian hare, and various bird species. |
| Historical Significance | Believed to have originated during the Miocene period or along the ancient Saraswati River. |
| Conservation Efforts | Led by local community leaders, including Jadeja Devaji Negrajji (Deva bhai), to prevent unauthorized tree cutting and promote awareness. |