Chari-Dhand Wetland Conservation Reserve: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Protected area in Gujarat, India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2013}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{coord|23|33|45.8|N|69|24|46.8|E|display=title}}
{{Infobox protected area
The '''Chari-Dhand wetland conservation reserve''' is located on the edge of arid [[Banni grasslands]]<ref name="Maheshwari-1">{{Cite news|author=Maheshwari, D. V.|title=Chari-Dhand wetland yet to get conservation reserve tag|date=15 June 2008|newspaper=The Indian Express|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/charidhand-wetland-yet-to-get-conservation-reserve-tag/322938/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002130103/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/charidhand-wetland-yet-to-get-conservation-reserve-tag/322938/|archivedate=2 October 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Maheshwari-2">{{Cite news|author=Maheshwari, D. V.|date=24 June 2008|title=Bhuj wetland to be turned into a tourist hot spot|newspaper=The Indian Express|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/bhuj-wetland-to-be-turned-into-a-tourist-hot-spot/326671/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002130048/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/bhuj-wetland-to-be-turned-into-a-tourist-hot-spot/326671/|archivedate=2 October 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Maheshwari-3">{{Cite news |author=Maheshwari, D. V. |date=22 August 2008 |title=Migratory birds come flocking as Chari-Dhand gains ‘wet’ |newspaper=The Indian Express |url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/migratory-birds-come-flocking-as-charidhand-gains-wet/351919/ |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214002112/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Migratory-birds-come-flocking-as-ChariDhand-gains-wet/351919/ |archivedate=14 February 2009 |df=dmy }}</ref> and the marshy [[Salt pan (geology)|salt flats]] of the [[Rann of Kutch]] in [[Kutch District]], [[Gujarat State]] in [[India]]. It is currently legally protected under the status as a [[Reserved forests and protected forests of India|Protected or Reserve Forest in India]].<ref name="Maheshwari-3" /> Chari means salt affected and Dhand means shallow wetland, Dhand is a [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]] word for a shallow saucer shaped depression.<ref name="Chhari-Dhand Conservation Reserve; Wetlands Forever website">[http://www.wetlandwithketantatu.com/2008/12/article.html Chhari-Dhand Conservation Reserve] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815053113/http://www.wetlandwithketantatu.com/2008/12/article.html |date=15 August 2016 }}; Article by Jugal Kishore Tiwari; Wetlands Forever website</ref> This is a seasonal desert wetland and only gets swampy during a good monsoon, receiving water from the north flowing rivers as well as from the huge catchment areas of many surrounding big hills.<ref name="Maheshwari-1" /> It is spread over an area of 80&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>.<ref name="Maheshwari-1" /><ref name="Maheshwari-2" /> It is in [[Nakhtrana Taluka]], 80&nbsp;km south west to the city of Bhuj, about 7 or 8&nbsp;km from Fulary village<ref name="Maheshwari-1" /><ref name="Maheshwari-3" /> and 30&nbsp;km from Nakhtrana town.<ref name="Chhari-Dhand Conservation Reserve; Wetlands Forever website"/> It is home to nearly two lakh birds with migratory and endangered species of birds flocking into the area in thousands during monsoon and winters.<ref name="Maheshwari-2" />
| name = Chari-Dhand Wetland Conservation reserve
| iucn_category =  
| map = Gujarat#India
| relief = 1
| map_width =
| label = Chari-Dhand Wetland Conservation reserve
| label_position = right
| location = [[Kutch district]], [[Gujarat]], [[India]]
| coordinates = {{coord|23|33|45.8|N|69|24|46.8|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| nearest_city = [[Bhuj]]
| area_km2 =  
| established =  
| governing_body = Forest Department, Government of Gujarat
}}


==Originally proposed as a "Bird Sanctuary"==
The '''Chari-Dhand [[wetland conservation]] reserve''' is located on the edge of arid [[Banni grasslands]]<ref name="Maheshwari-1">{{Cite news|author=Maheshwari, D. V.|title=Chari-Dhand wetland yet to get conservation reserve tag|date=15 June 2008|newspaper=The Indian Express|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/charidhand-wetland-yet-to-get-conservation-reserve-tag/322938/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002130103/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/charidhand-wetland-yet-to-get-conservation-reserve-tag/322938/|archivedate=2 October 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Maheshwari-2">{{Cite news|author=Maheshwari, D. V.|date=24 June 2008|title=Bhuj wetland to be turned into a tourist hot spot|newspaper=The Indian Express|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/bhuj-wetland-to-be-turned-into-a-tourist-hot-spot/326671/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002130048/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/bhuj-wetland-to-be-turned-into-a-tourist-hot-spot/326671/|archivedate=2 October 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Maheshwari-3">{{Cite news |author=Maheshwari, D. V. |date=22 August 2008 |title=Migratory birds come flocking as Chari-Dhand gains 'wet' |newspaper=The Indian Express |url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/migratory-birds-come-flocking-as-charidhand-gains-wet/351919/ |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214002112/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Migratory-birds-come-flocking-as-ChariDhand-gains-wet/351919/ |archivedate=14 February 2009 }}</ref> and the marshy [[Salt pan (geology)|salt flats]] of the [[Rann of Kutch]] in [[Kutch district]], [[Gujarat State]] in [[India]]. It is currently legally protected under the status of a [[Reserved forests and protected forests of India|Protected or Reserve Forest in India]].<ref name="Maheshwari-3" /> Chari means salt affected and Dhand means shallow wetland, Dhand is a [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]] word for a shallow saucer shaped depression.<ref name="Chhari-Dhand Conservation Reserve; Wetlands Forever website">[http://www.wetlandwithketantatu.com/2008/12/article.html Chhari-Dhand Conservation Reserve] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815053113/http://www.wetlandwithketantatu.com/2008/12/article.html |date=15 August 2016 }}; Article by Jugal Kishore Tiwari; Wetlands Forever website</ref> This is a seasonal desert wetland and only gets swampy during a good monsoon, receiving water from the north flowing rivers as well as from the huge catchment areas of many surrounding big hills.<ref name="Maheshwari-1" /> It is spread over an area of 80&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>.<ref name="Maheshwari-1" /><ref name="Maheshwari-2" /> It is in [[Nakhtrana Taluka]], 80&nbsp;km south west to the city of Bhuj, about 7 or 8&nbsp;km from Fulary village<ref name="Maheshwari-1" /><ref name="Maheshwari-3" /> and 30&nbsp;km from Nakhtrana town.<ref name="Chhari-Dhand Conservation Reserve; Wetlands Forever website"/> It is home to nearly two lakh birds with migratory and endangered species of birds flocking into the area in thousands during monsoon and winters.<ref name="Maheshwari-2" />
 
==Legal protected status==
 
===Originally proposed as a "Bird Sanctuary"===
{{Expand section|More history|date=January 2011}}
{{Expand section|More history|date=January 2011}}
The Gujarat State forest department had originally proposed that Chari Dhandh be declared as the "''Kutch bird sanctuary''" because its much bigger in size than the famous [[Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary]] in neighbouring state of [[Rajasthan]]. The Gujarat state Wildlife Board agreed to the demand on 26 June 2002, but later it was decided to accord Chari-Dhand wetland the status of a "''conservation forest''", as it would be of greater benefit to the local populace.<ref name="Maheshwari-3" />
The Gujarat State forest department had originally proposed that Chari Dhandh be declared as the "''Kutch bird sanctuary''" because its much bigger in size than the famous [[Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary]] in neighbouring state of [[Rajasthan]]. The Gujarat state Wildlife Board agreed to the demand on 26 June 2002, but later it was decided to accord Chari-Dhand wetland the status of a "''conservation forest''", as it would be of greater benefit to the local populace.<ref name="Maheshwari-3" />


==Currently granted lower level protection as a "Protected or Reserve Forest"==
===Currently granted lower level protection as a "Protected or Reserve Forest"===
 
The wetland was originally spread over 22,700 hectares (227&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>), out of which 80&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup><ref name="Maheshwari-1" /> was the water filled area.<ref name="Maheshwari-3" /> Gujarat State Forest Department has accorded it the legal status of a ''"Protected or Reserve Forest"'' in 2008<ref name="Maheshwari-3" /> after 20 year lobbying by local conservationists.<ref name="Maheshwari-1" /><ref name="India's riches unprotected; BirdLife International & Ramsar Convention on Wetlands">[http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/07/indian_wetlands.html India's riches unprotected]; Credits: BNHS, RSPB; 25-07-2008; BirdLife International, Also posted on The [[Ramsar Convention on Wetlands]] of International Importance website [http://www.ramsar.org/cda/ramsar/display/main/main.jsp?zn=ramsar&cp=1-26-45-85^16890_4000_0__]</ref>
The wetland was originally spread over 22,700 hectares (227&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>), out of which 80&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup><ref name="Maheshwari-1" /> was the water filled area.<ref name="Maheshwari-3" /> Gujarat State Forest Department has accorded it the legal status of a ''"Protected or Reserve Forest"'' in 2008<ref name="Maheshwari-3" /> after 20 year lobbying by local conservationists.<ref name="Maheshwari-1" /><ref name="India's riches unprotected; BirdLife International & Ramsar Convention on Wetlands">[http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/07/indian_wetlands.html India's riches unprotected]; Credits: BNHS, RSPB; 25-07-2008; BirdLife International, Also posted on The [[Ramsar Convention on Wetlands]] of International Importance website [http://www.ramsar.org/cda/ramsar/display/main/main.jsp?zn=ramsar&cp=1-26-45-85^16890_4000_0__]</ref>


==Habitat and wildlife==
===Ramsar Convention site===
The abundance of water during the monsoons attracts birds to this one of India's unique wetlands. Thousands of flamingos in their mating plumage, Common cranes and other wetland birds including hundreds of Painted storks and Spoonbills among others can be spotted here.<ref name="Maheshwari-3" /> The wetland also attracts chinkara, wolves, caracal, desert cats and desert foxes besides endangered birds.<ref name="Maheshwari-1" />


==Habitat improvement==
Along with [[Banni Grasslands Reserve]] it is a proposed "[[List of Ramsar wetlands of international importance|Ramsar Convention site – Wetland of International importance]]" and listed on its website.<ref name="Maheshwari-1" /><ref name="Maheshwari-2" /><ref name="Maheshwari-3" /><ref name="India's riches unprotected; BirdLife International & Ramsar Convention on Wetlands"/><ref>[http://nspc.gujaratdesertecology.com/NSPC.GUIDE.Ecological.Sites.pdf Ecological Sites; NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON PROSOPIS: ECOLOGICAL, ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE AND MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711133207/http://nspc.gujaratdesertecology.com/NSPC.GUIDE.Ecological.Sites.pdf |date=11 July 2011 }}; 20–21 February 2009, Bhuj; URL: nspc.gujaratdesertecology.com</ref><ref>[http://www.birdlife.org/action/change/ramsar/ibas_ramsar_asia/11_India.pdf Ramsar designation of IBA lacking (159 IBAs); Important Bird Areas and potential Ramsar Sites in Asia – India] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103223724/http://www.birdlife.org/action/change/ramsar/ibas_ramsar_asia/11_India.pdf |date=3 January 2009 }}; 31 August 2005; birdlife.org</ref><ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com">[https://web.archive.org/web/20110811033743/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2002-02-17/ahmedabad/27137251_1_nal-sarovar-ramsar-wetland-sites Ramsar site status sought for Nal Sarovar]; By Sajid Shaikh, TNN, 17 February 2002, Times of India</ref> It was declared Ramsar site on 3 February 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-31 |title=Chhari-Dhand Bird Sanctuary in Kutch becomes Gujarat’s 5th Ramsar site |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/kutch-chhari-dhand-bird-sanctuary-becomes-5th-ramsar-site-gujarat-10505904/ |access-date=2026-02-07 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
 
==Wetland==
 
===Flora===
There are also efforts to replace alien invasive Gando Bawal thorn tree ''([[Prosopis juliflora]])'' with useful trees like Khara ''([[Salvadora oleoides]])'' and Mitha pilus ''([[Salvadora persica]])'' on the periphery of the Chari lake as part of the new conservation measures.<ref name="Maheshwari-3" />
There are also efforts to replace alien invasive Gando Bawal thorn tree ''([[Prosopis juliflora]])'' with useful trees like Khara ''([[Salvadora oleoides]])'' and Mitha pilus ''([[Salvadora persica]])'' on the periphery of the Chari lake as part of the new conservation measures.<ref name="Maheshwari-3" />


==Research and education==
===Fauna===
The abundance of water during the monsoons attracts birds to this, one of India's unique wetlands. Thousands of flamingos in their mating plumage, common cranes and other wetland birds including hundreds of painted storks and spoonbills among others can be spotted here.<ref name="Maheshwari-3" /> The wetland also attracts chinkara, wolves, caracal, desert cats and desert foxes besides endangered birds.<ref name="Maheshwari-1" />
 
===Chir Batti===
 
In dark nights an unexplained strange dancing light phenomena known locally as [[Chir Batti]] (Ghost lights) is known to occur here, in the banni grasslands and its seasonal marshy wetlands<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=253114 |title=Ghost lights that dance on Banni grasslands when it’s very dark; by D V Maheshwari; 28 August 2007; The Indian Express Newspaper |access-date=24 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114034106/http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=253114 |archive-date=14 January 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and in the adjoining [[desert]] of the marshy [[Salt pan (geology)|salt flats]] of [[Rann of Kutch]].<ref>[http://www.intoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&issueid=&id=313&Itemid=&sectionid=8&secid=48&completeview=1 Stark beauty (Rann of Kutch); Bharati Motwani; 23 September 2008; India Today Magazine], Cached: Page 2 of 3 page article with these search terms highlighted: cheer batti ghost lights rann kutch [https://www.intoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=313&Itemid=1&issueid=&sectionid=8&secid=48&limit=1&limitstart=1]{{dead link|date=November 2016|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}, Cached: Complete View – 3 page article seen as a single page [https://archive.today/20120803102541/http://www.intoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&issueid=&id=313&Itemid=&sectionid=8&secid=48&completeview=1]</ref>
 
==Conservation ==
 
===Research and education===
 
[[Bombay Natural History Society]] (BNHS) had its field station at Chhari-Dhand in Banni grasslands from Jan 1990 to 1995 for the Bird Migration study project (S.A. Hussain) and grassland ecology project headed by Dr. Asad Rahmani. It now organizes ''Nature Education Camps'' here.<ref name="Chhari-Dhand Conservation Reserve; Wetlands Forever website"/>
[[Bombay Natural History Society]] (BNHS) had its field station at Chhari-Dhand in Banni grasslands from Jan 1990 to 1995 for the Bird Migration study project (S.A. Hussain) and grassland ecology project headed by Dr. Asad Rahmani. It now organizes ''Nature Education Camps'' here.<ref name="Chhari-Dhand Conservation Reserve; Wetlands Forever website"/>


==Proposed "Ramsar Convention site"==
===Eco tourism development===
Along with [[Banni Grasslands Reserve]] it is a proposed "[[List of Ramsar wetlands of international importance|Ramsar Convention site - Wetland of International importance]]" and listed on its website.<ref name="Maheshwari-1" /><ref name="Maheshwari-2" /><ref name="Maheshwari-3" /><ref name="India's riches unprotected; BirdLife International & Ramsar Convention on Wetlands"/><ref>[http://nspc.gujaratdesertecology.com/NSPC.GUIDE.Ecological.Sites.pdf Ecological Sites; NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON PROSOPIS: ECOLOGICAL, ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE AND MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711133207/http://nspc.gujaratdesertecology.com/NSPC.GUIDE.Ecological.Sites.pdf |date=11 July 2011 }}; 20–21 February 2009, Bhuj; URL: nspc.gujaratdesertecology.com </ref><ref>[http://www.birdlife.org/action/change/ramsar/ibas_ramsar_asia/11_India.pdf Ramsar designation of IBA lacking (159 IBAs); Important Bird Areas and potential Ramsar Sites in Asia – India] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103223724/http://www.birdlife.org/action/change/ramsar/ibas_ramsar_asia/11_India.pdf |date=3 January 2009 }}; 31 August 2005; birdlife.org</ref><ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com">[https://web.archive.org/web/20110811033743/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2002-02-17/ahmedabad/27137251_1_nal-sarovar-ramsar-wetland-sites Ramsar site status sought for Nal Sarovar]; By Sajid Shaikh, TNN, 17 February 2002, Times of India</ref>


==Eco tourism development==
The district administration has chosen the Chari Dhandh wetland to create basic facilities for tourists.<ref name="Maheshwari-2" /> The Gujarat State forest department is preparing a project for Chari Dhandh development<ref name="Maheshwari-2" /> along with [[Dhinodhar hills]] in Nakhatrana taluka to make a circuit comprising Dhorado in interior Banni, Chari Dhandh and Dhinodhar to be a scenic route for nature lovers.<ref name="Maheshwari-2" /> As it is shallow water body, it could be used to promote boating providing employment to the local people, whose main activity has been restricted to fishing till now. There is also a suggestion to set up a Nature Interpretation Centre at the nearby Fulary village, the centre will provide knowledge of the wetland to the tourists.<ref name="Maheshwari-3" /><ref name="Basu-1">{{Cite news|author1=Basu, Debarati  |author2=Shukla, Shubhlakshmi|date=26 August 2008|title=[Gujarat] State thinks green, banks on eco-tourism|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/state-thinks-green-banks-on-ecotourism/353282/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080912124021/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/State-thinks-green-banks-on-ecotourism/353282/|archivedate=12 September 2008|url-status=live}}</ref>
The district administration has chosen the Chari Dhandh wetland to create basic facilities for tourists.<ref name="Maheshwari-2" /> The Gujarat State forest department is preparing a project for Chari Dhandh development<ref name="Maheshwari-2" /> along with [[Dhinodhar hills]] in Nakhatrana taluka to make a circuit comprising Dhorado in interior Banni, Chari Dhandh and Dhinodhar to be a scenic route for nature lovers.<ref name="Maheshwari-2" /> As it is shallow water body, it could be used to promote boating providing employment to the local people, whose main activity has been restricted to fishing till now. There is also a suggestion to set up a Nature Interpretation Centre at the nearby Fulary village, the centre will provide knowledge of the wetland to the tourists.<ref name="Maheshwari-3" /><ref name="Basu-1">{{Cite news|author1=Basu, Debarati  |author2=Shukla, Shubhlakshmi|date=26 August 2008|title=[Gujarat] State thinks green, banks on eco-tourism|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/state-thinks-green-banks-on-ecotourism/353282/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080912124021/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/State-thinks-green-banks-on-ecotourism/353282/|archivedate=12 September 2008|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Chir Batti==
==See also==
In dark nights an unexplained strange dancing light phenomena known locally as [[Chir Batti]] (Ghost lights) is known to occur here, in the banni grasslands and its seasonal marshy wetlands<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=253114 |title=Ghost lights that dance on Banni grasslands when it’s very dark; by D V Maheshwari; 28 August 2007; The Indian Express Newspaper |access-date=24 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114034106/http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=253114 |archive-date=14 January 2009 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> and in the adjoining [[desert]] of the marshy [[Salt pan (geology)|salt flats]] of [[Rann of Kutch]].<ref>[http://www.intoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&issueid=&id=313&Itemid=&sectionid=8&secid=48&completeview=1 Stark beauty (Rann of Kutch); Bharati Motwani; 23 September 2008; India Today Magazine], Cached: Page 2 of 3 page article with these search terms highlighted: cheer batti ghost lights rann kutch [https://www.intoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=313&Itemid=1&issueid=&sectionid=8&secid=48&limit=1&limitstart=1]{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Cached: Complete View - 3 page article seen as a single page [https://archive.today/20120803102541/http://www.intoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&issueid=&id=313&Itemid=&sectionid=8&secid=48&completeview=1]</ref>


==See also==
* [[Arid Forest Research Institute]] (AFRI)
* [[Arid Forest Research Institute]] (AFRI)
* [[Banni grasslands]]
* [[Banni grasslands]]
* [[Rann of Kutch]]
* [[Chhir Batti]] (Ghost lights) from Banni grasslands, its seasonal wetlands and the adjoining Rann of Kutch
* [[Chhir Batti]] (Ghost lights) from Banni grasslands, its seasonal wetlands and the adjoining Rann of Kutch
* [[Ecology]]
* [[Wetlands]]
* [[Grasslands]]
* [[List of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries of Gujarat, India]]
* [[List of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries of Gujarat, India]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [https://groups.google.com/group/delhibirdpix/browse_thread/thread/cc96c272c4e98b03/42f0a5bcb9bbcfff?#42f0a5bcb9bbcfff Chhari-Dhand finally declared Bird conservation reserve - Kutch, Gujarat; by Jugal Tiwari; 15 July 2008; delhibirdpix Google Group]
* [https://groups.google.com/group/delhibirdpix/browse_thread/thread/cc96c272c4e98b03/42f0a5bcb9bbcfff?#42f0a5bcb9bbcfff Chhari-Dhand finally declared Bird conservation reserve – Kutch, Gujarat; by Jugal Tiwari; 15 July 2008; delhibirdpix Google Group]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160815053113/http://www.wetlandwithketantatu.com/2008/12/article.html Chhari-Dhand Conservation Reserve; Article by Jugal Kishore Tiwari; Wetlands Forever website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160815053113/http://www.wetlandwithketantatu.com/2008/12/article.html Chhari-Dhand Conservation Reserve; Article by Jugal Kishore Tiwari; Wetlands Forever website]
* [http://www.panda.org/who_we_are/wwf_offices/pakistan/news/?uNewsID=5741 Desert (Rann of Kutch) wetlands; 6 February 2003; WWF Global website]
* [http://www.panda.org/who_we_are/wwf_offices/pakistan/news/?uNewsID=5741 Desert (Rann of Kutch) wetlands; 6 February 2003; WWF Global website]

Latest revision as of 18:21, 2 March 2026


Chari-Dhand Wetland Conservation reserve
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LocationKutch district, Gujarat, India
Nearest cityBhuj
Coordinates23°33′45.8″N 69°24′46.8″E / 23.562722°N 69.413000°E / 23.562722; 69.413000
Governing bodyForest Department, Government of Gujarat

The Chari-Dhand wetland conservation reserve is located on the edge of arid Banni grasslands[1][2][3] and the marshy salt flats of the Rann of Kutch in Kutch district, Gujarat State in India. It is currently legally protected under the status of a Protected or Reserve Forest in India.[3] Chari means salt affected and Dhand means shallow wetland, Dhand is a Sindhi word for a shallow saucer shaped depression.[4] This is a seasonal desert wetland and only gets swampy during a good monsoon, receiving water from the north flowing rivers as well as from the huge catchment areas of many surrounding big hills.[1] It is spread over an area of 80 km2.[1][2] It is in Nakhtrana Taluka, 80 km south west to the city of Bhuj, about 7 or 8 km from Fulary village[1][3] and 30 km from Nakhtrana town.[4] It is home to nearly two lakh birds with migratory and endangered species of birds flocking into the area in thousands during monsoon and winters.[2]

Legal protected status[edit | edit source]

Originally proposed as a "Bird Sanctuary"[edit | edit source]

The Gujarat State forest department had originally proposed that Chari Dhandh be declared as the "Kutch bird sanctuary" because its much bigger in size than the famous Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in neighbouring state of Rajasthan. The Gujarat state Wildlife Board agreed to the demand on 26 June 2002, but later it was decided to accord Chari-Dhand wetland the status of a "conservation forest", as it would be of greater benefit to the local populace.[3]

Currently granted lower level protection as a "Protected or Reserve Forest"[edit | edit source]

The wetland was originally spread over 22,700 hectares (227 km2), out of which 80 km2[1] was the water filled area.[3] Gujarat State Forest Department has accorded it the legal status of a "Protected or Reserve Forest" in 2008[3] after 20 year lobbying by local conservationists.[1][5]

Ramsar Convention site[edit | edit source]

Along with Banni Grasslands Reserve it is a proposed "Ramsar Convention site – Wetland of International importance" and listed on its website.[1][2][3][5][6][7][8] It was declared Ramsar site on 3 February 2026.[9]

Wetland[edit | edit source]

Flora[edit | edit source]

There are also efforts to replace alien invasive Gando Bawal thorn tree (Prosopis juliflora) with useful trees like Khara (Salvadora oleoides) and Mitha pilus (Salvadora persica) on the periphery of the Chari lake as part of the new conservation measures.[3]

Fauna[edit | edit source]

The abundance of water during the monsoons attracts birds to this, one of India's unique wetlands. Thousands of flamingos in their mating plumage, common cranes and other wetland birds including hundreds of painted storks and spoonbills among others can be spotted here.[3] The wetland also attracts chinkara, wolves, caracal, desert cats and desert foxes besides endangered birds.[1]

Chir Batti[edit | edit source]

In dark nights an unexplained strange dancing light phenomena known locally as Chir Batti (Ghost lights) is known to occur here, in the banni grasslands and its seasonal marshy wetlands[10] and in the adjoining desert of the marshy salt flats of Rann of Kutch.[11]

Conservation[edit | edit source]

Research and education[edit | edit source]

Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) had its field station at Chhari-Dhand in Banni grasslands from Jan 1990 to 1995 for the Bird Migration study project (S.A. Hussain) and grassland ecology project headed by Dr. Asad Rahmani. It now organizes Nature Education Camps here.[4]

Eco tourism development[edit | edit source]

The district administration has chosen the Chari Dhandh wetland to create basic facilities for tourists.[2] The Gujarat State forest department is preparing a project for Chari Dhandh development[2] along with Dhinodhar hills in Nakhatrana taluka to make a circuit comprising Dhorado in interior Banni, Chari Dhandh and Dhinodhar to be a scenic route for nature lovers.[2] As it is shallow water body, it could be used to promote boating providing employment to the local people, whose main activity has been restricted to fishing till now. There is also a suggestion to set up a Nature Interpretation Centre at the nearby Fulary village, the centre will provide knowledge of the wetland to the tourists.[3][12]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Maheshwari, D. V. (15 June 2008). "Chari-Dhand wetland yet to get conservation reserve tag". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 2 October 2012.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Maheshwari, D. V. (24 June 2008). "Bhuj wetland to be turned into a tourist hot spot". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 2 October 2012.
  3. ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 Maheshwari, D. V. (22 August 2008). "Migratory birds come flocking as Chari-Dhand gains 'wet'". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 14 February 2009.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Chhari-Dhand Conservation Reserve Archived 15 August 2016 at the Wayback Machine; Article by Jugal Kishore Tiwari; Wetlands Forever website
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 India's riches unprotected; Credits: BNHS, RSPB; 25-07-2008; BirdLife International, Also posted on The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance website [1]
  6. ↑ Ecological Sites; NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON PROSOPIS: ECOLOGICAL, ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE AND MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES Archived 11 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine; 20–21 February 2009, Bhuj; URL: nspc.gujaratdesertecology.com
  7. ↑ Ramsar designation of IBA lacking (159 IBAs); Important Bird Areas and potential Ramsar Sites in Asia – India Archived 3 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine; 31 August 2005; birdlife.org
  8. ↑ Ramsar site status sought for Nal Sarovar; By Sajid Shaikh, TNN, 17 February 2002, Times of India
  9. ↑ "Chhari-Dhand Bird Sanctuary in Kutch becomes Gujarat's 5th Ramsar site". The Indian Express. 31 January 2026. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  10. ↑ "Ghost lights that dance on Banni grasslands when it's very dark; by D V Maheshwari; 28 August 2007; The Indian Express Newspaper". Archived from the original on 14 January 2009. Retrieved 24 December 2009.
  11. ↑ Stark beauty (Rann of Kutch); Bharati Motwani; 23 September 2008; India Today Magazine, Cached: Page 2 of 3 page article with these search terms highlighted: cheer batti ghost lights rann kutch [2][permanent dead link], Cached: Complete View – 3 page article seen as a single page [3]
  12. ↑ Basu, Debarati; Shukla, Shubhlakshmi (26 August 2008). "[Gujarat] State thinks green, banks on eco-tourism". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 12 September 2008.

External links[edit | edit source]

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