DOCSLIB.ORG

A Taste of Africa

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
A Taste of Africa BIRDING OUT OF AFRICA: INDIA Gujarat A TASTE OF AFRICA ndia is a vast, sprawling country, teeming with people, but it also supports more than 1 200 bird species. Most birders visiting India for the first time do a Inorthern loop, centred on Bharatpur and the Himalayan foothills (see Nick Garbutt’s article in volume 9, number 4). While this offers a good cross-section of Indian birds, as well as the chance to chase tigers, African birders might consider cutting their teeth in the state of Gujarat, which has more in common with this continent than the rest of India. Peter Ryan reports on some of the region’s birding attractions. TEXT & PHOTOGRAPHS BY PETER RYAN 58 BIRDING INDIA AFRICA – BIRDS & BIRDING irthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, for viewing and photography. Indeed, I pakistan INDIA Gujarat lies north of Mumbai on frequently found myself comparing it to India’s north-west coast. At Ethiopia in this regard. The Jainist tradi- Great Rann Gujarat some 196 000 square kilometres, tion of jiv daya is similar to that of ubuntu, of Kutch State itB is half the size of Zimbabwe, yet com- but extends to wildlife as well as people. Little Rann prises only five per cent of India’s land Birds and other wildlife are part of local of Kutch Gulf of Kutch Ahmedabad area. It offers a wide range of habitats, culture, and Gujaratis take pleasure in Jamnagar Velavadar NP from verdant woodland in the southern sharing their land with thousands of mi- Porbandar hill country, where the annual rainfall grant birds. I enjoyed watching a large Sasan exceeds 2 000 millimetres, through the flock of birds feed on a seed crop while Gir NP dry woodlands of Gir National Park, to the farmer stood by, waiting to harvest. Gulf of the Banni grasslands and saltplains of Migrant Black-headed and Red-headed Khambhat ARABIAN SEA the Great Rann of Kutch on the Pakistan buntings were common, as were House border. Incorporating almost a third of Sparrows from Tibet and a smattering of India’s coastline, Gujarat has a wealth of Common Rosefinches. mangroves, reefs and mudflats, and there Much of the flat ground is cultivated, INDIA are some 2 000 square kilometres of fresh- but these fields still support many birds, water wetlands, so waterbirds are well including vast flocks of Rosy Starlings, represented. The state boasts a bird list of while Rose-ringed Parakeets, Little Green more than 500 species, including several Bee-eaters, White-breasted Kingfishers and that are hard to find anywhere else. Common Peafowl add splashes of colour. There is plenty of good birding close to The Jainist tradition of JIV DAYA is simiLar to that of Ahmedabad. Thol Lake Bird Sanctuary has a few Bar-headed Geese among the large UBUNTU, but extends to wiLDLife as weLL as peopLE ... numbers of Greylag Geese, and a nearby and Gujaratis taKE PLEASURE IN SHAriNG THEir LAND dump for dead livestock is worth checking for some of India’s few remaining vultures. WITH THOUSANDS OF MIGRANT BirDS Egyptian Vultures are quite common, but the larger vultures are very rare. Only Like most of India, Gujarat is densely two White-rumped Vultures were present populated. Ahmedabad, the largest city, when I visited, although other species turn is home to seven million people and the up from time to time. The unprecedented state as a whole supports around 50 mil- collapse of the once-vast vulture popula- Gujarat lies on the South Asian flyway. Above Visitors to the Global Bird lion. They seldom eat meat or fish, so tions has seen a concomitant increase in Although a few species such as Bar-headed Watchers’ Conference bird along the there is little evidence of hunting. As a other scavengers, particularly feral dogs, Geese and Demoiselle Cranes fly over the dykes in Khijadiya, near Jamnagar. result, many birds are remarkably habitu- which are now estimated to number more Himalayas, most migrants eschew cross- ated, allowing exceptional opportunities than two million in Ahmedabad alone. ing this formidable barrier. Many pass Left The attractive White-browed Wagtail, west of the mountain massif, funnelling endemic to the Indian subcontinent, was south to Gujarat. Almost half the birds re- surprisingly scarce. We encountered it only corded regularly in the state are migrants, in Gir National Park. so winter is the best time to visit. Most of the region’s parks are closed during the Opposite The Indian Black Robin, which summer monsoon, making a visit then in- resembles a scrub-robin, is common in a advisable, unless you are set on seeing the wide range of habitats. endangered Lesser Florican displaying in late July and August. Gujarat’s grasslands Previous spread, left Gujarat shares are one of the species’ last strongholds, al- many species with the Middle East and though even here they are threatened by run-off to prevent it mixing with seawater North Africa, including the golden jackal. illegal trapping and habitat loss. from the adjacent tidal mudflats and man- Recent studies suggest that this canid is groves. The result is a wealth of aquatic more closely related to the grey wolf and visited Gujarat in November 2010 birds that favour both fresh- and salt- coyote than other jackal species. to attend the Global Bird Watchers’ water habitats living alongside each other. Conference in Jamnagar, six hours’ The number and diversity of birds is im- Previous spread, right After we had drive west of Ahmedabad on the pressive, with many ducks, herons, ibises waited more than two hours at a carcass IGulf of Kutch. During the meeting there and spoonbills, waders, terns and gulls, as dump, a striking White-rumped Vulture were several outings to Khijadiya, a re- well as various raptors and landbirds, be- finally arrived to feed, only to be seen off markable 600-hectare wetland reserve just ing represented. Among the high-profile by a crowd of House Crows. The collapse of east of Jamnagar. Berms built in 1920 and species are good numbers of Dalmatian India’s vulture population ranks among the extended in 1956 contain the freshwater Pelicans, breeding Black-necked Storks most dramatic wildlife crises ever. 60 BIRDING INDIA AFRICA – BIRDS & BIRDING FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012 BIRDING INDIA 61 drive south-east of Porbandar, Gir National Park is an area of dry forest blanketing low, rolling hills. The lions look pretty much the same as their African cousins, but their habitat is denser and their prey quite differ- Gujarat has 134 sites that sustain at Least one per cent of Other good species here include White- ent: axis and sambar deer, nilgai antelope tailed Lapwing and both Saunders’s and and wild boar are sufficiently abundant to the GLobaL popuLation of one or more waterbird species, Little terns. Steppe Gulls can be studied prevent too much conflict with humans nearby at Porbandar’s old port. and their livestock. Formal access to the re- with NINE SITES HAVING MORE THAN 100 000 WATERBirDS serve is confined to morning and evening ujarat supports more than guided game-drives, during which you are and large flocks of wintering Common 20 per cent of India’s in- not allowed out of the vehicles (despite the Cranes. You can drive or walk along the dustrial output. Just west of fact that many locals live in the sanctuary, berms, and a series of observation towers Jamnagar, vast oil refineries herding their cows and water buffaloes on allows good views over the area. Gprocess crude oil from local wells and oil foot), so it is also well worth your while to But even outside the reserve waterbirds shipped in from the Arabian Gulf. The explore the woodland around Sasan town, are common – and confiding – on the many refineries stand in stark contrast to the which borders the reserve. rivers and wetlands that dot the landscape. Gulf of Kutch Marine National Park at Although Gir doesn’t have any range- Painted Storks, Spot-billed Ducks and Jamnagar, which protects a large propor- restricted birds, I was lucky to see the classy River Terns go about their business tion of the coast. Star attractions from a scarce White-bellied Minivet and, with a Great Tit bears little resemblance to the Above Like many Indian birds, the large, within metres of busy roads, blithely ig- birding perspective are wintering Indian bit of help from knowledgeable guides, species familiar throughout much of Eur- richly coloured Rufous-tailed Lark is quite noring even pedestrian traffic. Gujarat has Skimmers, as well as the large numbers of I saw Mottled Wood-Owl, Indian Scops- ope. Overhead, Crested Treeswifts and tolerant of people, allowing it to be 134 sites that sustain at least one per cent Crab Plovers that forage on the tidal flats. Owl, Spotted Owlet and Indian Night- Oriental Honey-Buzzards are common, studied at leisure. of the global population of one or more But the area fosters a host of other coastal jar at their daytime roosts. Woodpeckers there are still good numbers of Change- waterbird species, with nine sites having birds: Lesser Sand Plovers are abundant, are common, ranging from the large and able Hawk-Eagles and there is a chance of Top India has a wealth of starlings Tens of thousands of Demoiselle Cranes more than 100 000 waterbirds. One of the and there are enough Greater Sand and gaudy Black-rumped Flameback to the di- seeing one of the few Red-headed Vultures and mynas. I particularly enjoyed the winter along the coast around Porbandar, most impressive wetlands I visited was Kentish plovers to allow easy comparison.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Herein After Termed As Gulf) Occupying an Area of 7300 Km2 Is Biologically One of the Most Productive and Diversified Habitats Along the West Coast of India
    6. SUMMARY Gulf of Katchchh (herein after termed as Gulf) occupying an area of 7300 Km2 is biologically one of the most productive and diversified habitats along the west coast of India. The southern shore has numerous Islands and inlets which harbour vast areas of mangroves and coral reefs with living corals. The northern shore with numerous shoals and creeks also sustains large stretches of mangroves. A variety of marine wealth existing in the Gulf includes algae, mangroves, corals, sponges, molluscs, prawns, fishes, reptiles, birds and mammals. Industrial and other developments along the Gulf have accelerated in recent years and many industries make use of the Gulf either directly or indirectly. Hence, it is necessary that the existing and proposed developments are planned in an ecofriendly manner to maintain the high productivity and biodiversity of the Gulf region. In this context, Department of Ocean Development, Government of India is planning a strategy for management of the Gulf adopting the framework of Integrated Coastal and Marine Area Management (ICMAM) which is the most appropriate way to achieve the balance between the environment and development. The work has been awarded to National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Goa. NIO engaged Vijayalakshmi R. Nair as a Consultant to compile and submit a report on the status of flora and fauna of the Gulf based on secondary data. The objective of this compilation is to (a) evolve baseline for marine flora and fauna of the Gulf based on secondary data (b) establish the prevailing biological characteristics for different segments of the Gulf at macrolevel and (c) assess the present biotic status of the Gulf.
    [Show full text]
  • Convention on Migratory Species
    CMS Distribution: General CONVENTION ON UNEP/CMS/COP11/Inf.21 MIGRATORY 16 July 2014 SPECIES Original: English 11th MEETING OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES Quito, Ecuador, 4-9 November 2014 Agenda Item 23.3.1 ASSESSMENT OF GAPS AND NEEDS IN MIGRATORY MAMMALS CONSERVATION IN CENTRAL ASIA 1. In response to multiple mandates (notably Concerted and Cooperative Actions, Rec.8.23 and 9.1, Res.10.3 and 10.9), CMS has strengthened its work for the conservation of large mammals in the central Asian region and inter alia initiated a gap analysis and needs assessment, including status reports of prioritized central Asian migratory mammals to obtain a better picture of the situation in the region and to identify priorities for conservation. Range States and a large number of relevant experts were engaged in the process, and national stakeholder consultation meetings organized in several countries. 2. The Meeting Document along with the Executive Summary of the assessment is available as UNEP/CMS/COP11/Doc.23.3.1. For reasons of economy, documents are printed in a limited number, and will not be distributed at the Meeting. Delegates are requested to bring their copy to the meeting and not to request additional copies. UNEP/CMS/COP11/Inf.21 Assessment of gaps and needs in migratory mammal conservation in Central Asia Report prepared for the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. Financed by the Ecosystem Restoration in Central Asia (ERCA) component of the European Union Forest and Biodiversity Governance Including Environmental Monitoring Project (FLERMONECA).
    [Show full text]
  • Status of Indian Wild Ass (Equus Hemionus Khur ) in the Little Rann of Kutch
    PAPER ZOOS' PRINT JOURNAL 15(5): 253-256 STATUS OF INDIAN WILD ASS (EQUUS HEMIONUS KHUR) IN THE LITTLE RANN OF KUTCH H.S. Singh Director, GEER Foundation, Indroda Park, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382009, India Abstract The Indian Wild Ass, Equus hemionus khur is found restricted to the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat and its surrounding areas. The population of the sub species is on the increase in the ninetees since the last debilitating effects of the drought in 1987. The numbers are slowly increasing to the carrying capacity of the area, towards the recommended numbers suggested in the IUCN Action Plan. The numbers of Wild Ass may reach 4000 by 2010AD, if current conditions prevail and there is no severe setback by droughts. However, the study on the status of the Wild Assess indicates that the increasing numbers may cause problems to the local inhabitants. The threats by the loss of habitat due to exotic plants, salt manufacturing activities, defence activites and cattle grazing may affect the population, which is also likely to get dispersed in the coming years to the adjacent Thar Desert areas in Rajasthan. The paper discusses the population trends of the WIld Ass over the years and its effects, as also the need for alternate measures of conservation. Key words Indian Wild Ass, population, distribution, status, migration, conservation, Wild Ass Sanctuary Introduction data collected during the period. The Rann, fringe area, Bets of The Little Rann of Kutch in Gujarat State in India is a unique the Sanctuary and Khadir Bet were surveyed during the study.
    [Show full text]
  • Western: Desert Specials Forest Owlet Extension
    India Western: Desert Specials 17th January to 29th January 2021 (13 days) Forest Owlet Extension 29th January to 31st January 2021 (4 days) Demoiselle Cranes by David Shackelford The wonderfully diverse nation of India is well-known for its verdant landscapes and the snow-capped Himalayas. It therefore surprises many people to learn that India is also blessed with some incredible deserts, and our tour showcases this much-underrated habitat by exploring some of India’s less RBL India - Western Desert Specials and Forest Owlet Extension Itinerary 2 frequented parks and reserves in the county’s dry, western parts. Desert National Park, Tal Chappar and the Great and Little Ranns of Kutch are amongst the most important of the protected areas of western India and we will visit all of them. We will also pay a visit to the more verdant Mt Abu along with an extension to the deciduous forests of Tansa Reserve. Along the way we are going to see some of the most threatened and rare birds not only of India but of the whole world. Species we are searching for include the Great Indian Bustard which sadly teeters on the brink of extinction, the almost equally rare White-browed Bush Chat, along with Indian Spotted Creeper, Yellow-eyed Pigeon, Green Avadavat, Sociable Lapwing, Macqueen’s Bustard, White-naped Tit, Marshall’s Iora, and for those doing the extension the recently rediscovered Forest Owlet. We also stand a great chance at picking up two of the more difficult monotypic families in the world, namely Crab-Plover and Grey Hypocolius.
    [Show full text]
  • The Geographic, Geological and Oceanographic Setting of the Indus River
    16 The Geographic, Geological and Oceanographic Setting of the Indus River Asif Inam1, Peter D. Clift2, Liviu Giosan3, Ali Rashid Tabrez1, Muhammad Tahir4, Muhammad Moazam Rabbani1 and Muhammad Danish1 1National Institute of Oceanography, ST. 47 Clifton Block 1, Karachi, Pakistan 2School of Geosciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, UK 3Geology and Geophysics, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA 4Fugro Geodetic Limited, 28-B, KDA Scheme #1, Karachi 75350, Pakistan 16.1 INTRODUCTION glaciers (Tarar, 1982). The Indus, Jhelum and Chenab Rivers are the major sources of water for the Indus Basin The 3000 km long Indus is one of the world’s larger rivers Irrigation System (IBIS). that has exerted a long lasting fascination on scholars Seasonal and annual river fl ows both are highly variable since Alexander the Great’s expedition in the region in (Ahmad, 1993; Asianics, 2000). Annual peak fl ow occurs 325 BC. The discovery of an early advanced civilization between June and late September, during the southwest in the Indus Valley (Meadows and Meadows, 1999 and monsoon. The high fl ows of the summer monsoon are references therein) further increased this interest in the augmented by snowmelt in the north that also conveys a history of the river. Its source lies in Tibet, close to sacred large volume of sediment from the mountains. Mount Kailas and part of its upper course runs through The 970 000 km2 drainage basin of the Indus ranks the India, but its channel and drainage basin are mostly in twelfth largest in the world. Its 30 000 km2 delta ranks Pakiistan.
    [Show full text]
  • The Amazing Life in the Indian Desert
    THE AMAZING LIFE IN THE INDIAN DESERT BY ISHWAR PRAKASH CENTRAL ARID ZONE RESEARCH INSTITUTE JODHPUR Printed June, 1977 Reprinted from Tbe Illustrated Weekly of India AnDual1975 CAZRI Monogra,pp No. 6 , I Publtshed by the Director, Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur, and printed by B. R. Chowdhri, Press Manager at Hl!ryana Agricultural University Press, Hissar CONTENTS A Sorcerer's magic wand 2 The greenery is transient 3 Burst of colour 4 Grasses galore 5 Destruction of priceless teak 8 Exciting "night life" 8 Injectors of death 9 Desert symphony 11 The hallowed National Bird 12 The spectacular bustard 12 Flamingo city 13 Trigger-happy man 15 Sad fate of the lord of the jungle 16 17 Desert antelopes THE AMAZING LIFE IN THE INDIAN DESERT The Indian Desert is not an endless stretch of sand-dunes bereft of life or vegetation. During certain seasons it blooms with a colourful range of trees and grasses and abounds in an amazing variety of bird and animal life. This rich natural region must be saved from the over­ powering encroachment of man. To most of us, the word "desert" conjures up the vision of a vast, tree-less, undulating, buff expanse of sand, crisscrossed by caravans of heavily-robed nomads on camel-back. Perhaps the vision includes a lonely cactus plant here and the s~ull of some animal there and, perhaps a few mini-groves of date-palm, nourished by an artesian well, beckoning the tired traveller to rest awhile before riding off again to the horizon beyond. This vision is a projection of the reality of the Saharan or the Arabian deserts.
    [Show full text]
  • Final Report
    No. JAPAN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGENCY （JICA） GOVERNMENT OF GUJARAT THE RECONSTRUCTION SUPPORT FOR THE GUJARAT-EARTHQUAKE DISASTER IN THE DEVASTATED AREAS IN INDIA FINAL REPORT OCTOBER, 2002 YAMASHITA SEKKEI INC. NIHON SEKKEI, INC. S S F J R ０２－１６１ Currency Equivalents Exchange rate effective as of June, 2001 Currency Unit = Rupee(Rs.) $ 1.00 = Rs．46.0 1Rs.=2.66 Japanese Yen,1 Crore = 10.000.000,1 Lakh = 100.000 Preface In response to a request from the Government of India, the Government of Japan decided to implement a project on the Reconstruction Support for the Gujarat-Earthquake Disaster in the Devastated Areas in India and entrusted the project to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). JICA selected and dispatched a project team headed by Mr. Toshio Ito of Yamashita Sekkei Inc., the representing company of a consortium consists of Yamashita Sekkei Inc. and Nihon Sekkei, Inc., from June 6th, 2001 to May 29th, 2002 and from August 4th to August 18th, 2002. In addition, JICA selected an advisor, Mr. Osamu Yamada of the Institute of International Cooperation who examined the project from specialist and technical points of view. The team held discussions with the officials concerned of the Government of India and the Government of Gujarat and conducted a field survey and implemented quick reconstruction support project for the primary educational and healthcare sectors. After the commencement of the quick reconstruction support project the team conducted further studies and prepared this final report. I hope that this report will contribute to the promotion of the project and to the enhancement of friendly relationships between our two countries.
    [Show full text]
  • Protected Areas in News
    Protected Areas in News National Parks in News ................................................................Shoolpaneswar................................ (Dhum- khal)................................ Wildlife Sanctuary .................................... 3 ................................................................... 11 About ................................................................................................Point ................................Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary................................ ...................................... 3 ......................................................................................... 11 Kudremukh National Park ................................................................Tiger Reserves................................ in News................................ ....................................................................... 3 ................................................................... 13 Nagarhole National Park ................................................................About................................ ......................................................................................................................................... 3 .................................................................... 14 Rajaji National Park ................................................................................................Pakke tiger reserve................................................................................. 3 ...............................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Enhancing Climate Resilience of India's Coastal Communities
    Annex II – Feasibility Study GREEN CLIMATE FUND FUNDING PROPOSAL I Enhancing climate resilience of India’s coastal communities Feasibility Study February 2017 ENHANCING CLIMATE RESILIENCE OF INDIA’S COASTAL COMMUNITIES Table of contents Acronym and abbreviations list ................................................................................................................................ 1 Foreword ................................................................................................................................................................. 4 Executive summary ................................................................................................................................................. 6 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 13 2. Climate risk profile of India ....................................................................................................................... 14 2.1. Country background ............................................................................................................................. 14 2.2. Incomes and poverty ............................................................................................................................ 15 2.3. Climate of India .................................................................................................................................... 16 2.4. Water resources, forests, agriculture
    [Show full text]
  • The Indian Wild Ass—Wild and Captive Populations
    The Indian wild ass —wild and captive populations Jan M. Smielowski and Praduman P. Raval The ghor-khar is a rare subspecies of onager, or Asiatic wild ass, and its habits are little known. The only known wild population inhabits the Little Rann of Kutch Desert in Gujarat State in western India and, after its numbers fell dramatically in the 1960s, it was declared a protected species. Conservation measures, including the establishment of a Wild Ass Sanctuary in 1973, have been so successful that the most recent census, in 1983, recorded nearly 2000 individuals, compared with 362 in 1967. The authors made four visits to Gujarat to study wild asses between 1984 and 1986. The Indian wild ass or ghor-khar Equus hemionus juliflora. According to Shahi (1981), between khur is endemic to the Indian subcontinent. September and March the wild asses invade Although some people suspect that it still occurs cotton fields to eat the green cotton fruit. in the Sind and Baluchistan regions of Pakistan, there are no data to confirm this and its only Wild asses usually live in groups of up to 12 known wild population lives in the Little Rann of individuals, although single animals, mainly Kutch Desert on the Kathiawar Peninsula in stallions, are seen occasionally. It is a polygynous northern Gujarat State, western India. This saline species, an adult stallion leading a group of mares desert is a unique ecosystem with very specific and young. The females are always white on the flora and fauna. Monsoon rains, which last from underside and have streaks of white on the rump, July to September, the average rainfall being on the underside of the neck and on the back of 517.8 mm (Jadhav, 1979), transform this habitat the head.
    [Show full text]
  • IB.6.4-5.Pdf
    Indian BIRDS www.indianbirds.in Vol. 6 Nos. 4&5 Date of Publication: 20 November 2010 ISSN 0973-1407 Editor Emeritus: Zafar Futehally Editor: Aasheesh Pittie [email protected] Associate Editor: V. Santharam Editorial Board Contents Maan Barua, Anwaruddin Choudhury Niranjan Sant Bill Harvey, Farah Ishtiaq, Rajah Jayapal Madhusudan Katti, R. Suresh Kumar Taej Mundkur, Rishad Naoroji, Suhel Quader 88 Gujarat: birding destination par excellence Harkirat Singh Sangha, C. Sashikumar J. K. Tiwari S. Subramanya, K. Gopi Sundar Contributing Editors 91 Gujarat royalty and Indian ornithology Praveen J., Ragupathy Kannan, Lavkumar Khachar Lavkumar Khachar Contributing Photographers Clement Francis, Ramki Sreenivasan 92 Roosting behaviour of Franklin’s Nightjar Caprimulgus affinis Layout & Cover Design: K. Jayaram Prasad Ganpule Office: P. Rambabu 95 Black Eagle Ictinaetus malayensis at New Ornis Foundation Narmada Dam, Gujarat Registration No. 314/2004 B. M. Parasharya Trustees Zafar Futehally, Aasheesh Pittie 97 Ringed Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus V. Santharam, PhD., Rishad Naoroji in Gujarat Taej Mundkur, PhD., S. Subramanya, PhD. Suhel Quader, PhD. Nirav Bhatt Aims & Objectives • To publish a newsletter that will provide a platform to 98 Plumage variations in Black-winged Stilt birdwatchers for publishing notes and observations Himantopus himantopus, Dishant Parasharya primarily on birds of South Asia. Bhavik Patel & B. M. Parasharya • To promote awareness of birdwatching amongst the general public. 100 Nesting of Caspian Tern Sterna caspia in • To establish and maintain links/liaison with other Little Rann of Kachchh associations or organized bodies in India or abroad Ashwin Pomal & Pratap Sevak whose objectives are in keeping with the objectives of the Trust (i.e.
    [Show full text]
  • Geomorphological Evolution of Badlands Based on the Dynamics of Palaeo-Channels and Their Implications
    Geomorphological evolution of badlands based on the dynamics of palaeo-channels and their implications V Ranga1,∗, S N Mohapatra1 and P Pani2 1Centre of Remote Sensing & GIS, School of Studies in Earth Science, Jiwaji University, Gwalior 474 011, India. 2Centre for the Study of Regional Development, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110 067, India. ∗Corresponding author. e-mail: [email protected] The badlands along the lower Chambal valley represent the worst case of water erosion in India. These badlands are believed to have developed due to neo-tectonic activities and, probably, strengthening of southwest monsoon in late Pleistocene–Holocene. Due to neo-tectonic activities, the Chambal River has undergone many changes before reaching to its present planform. This study reports palaeo-channels on the Chambal River’s right flank along its lower reaches. Salient features of the palaeo-channels and their relation to present spatial pattern of badlands are studied. These palaeo-channels have significantly influenced the development of badlands along the lower Chambal River and have given them distinct and conspicuous spatial patterns. In the light of the evidences, a modified schematic geomorphic evolution of badlands development is also proposed starting from a pre-incision scenario till the present day situation. A major modification in the proposed model is the multi-channel planform of the Chambal River before its incision. 1. Introduction intricate network of gullies, thus forming badlands (also known as ravines; figure 1) along the Cham- The formation of Himalaya Foreland Basin (HFB) bal, the Betwa, the Yamuna rivers and their tribu- leads to one of the most extensive alluvial plains taries.
    [Show full text]