ECOLOGICAL PROFILE OF COASTAL TALUKAS AROUND GULF OF KHAMBHAT · AROUND GULF OF KHAMBHAT Gujarat Ecology ... Chorasi, Olpad, Hansot, Valsad, Jambusar, Vagra, Dhandhuka, Bhavnagar

ECOLOGICAL PROFILE OF

COASTAL TALUKAS

AROUND GULF OF KHAMBHAT

Gujarat Ecology CommissionGovernment of Gujarat

ECOLOGICAL PROFILE OF

COASTAL TALUKAS

AROUND GULF OF KHAMBHAT

Gujarat Ecology CommissionGandhinagar

2011

Principal Coordinator

E. Balagurusamy IFSPrincipal Chief Conservator of Forests & Member Secretary, GEC

Joint Coordinator

C. H. Pandya IFSConservator of Forest & Director, GEC

Project Inputs

Nischal JoshiLomesh Brahambhatt

Research Personals

Ankur PatelKrupa Jha

Pranav PandyaKamini Patel

Devarshi Bhavsar

Project Consultant

Dr. Arun M. Dixit

Photographs

Ankur Patel, Manoj Dholakia

MESSAGE

There has been a remarkable progress in terms of economic growth which has brought

immense benefits to the people. The poverty has fallen and industrialization has

accelerated. This process, however, creates significant challenges for managing pressures

on natural resources and the environment necessary for sustaining these accomplishments.

Realising these challenges, Government of Gujarat has taken number of steps which

called for a fundamental shift in the priority given to the environment and their regulatory

approach to environmental management.

This report on Ecological Profile of Coastal Talukas along the Gulf of Khambhat is a

contribution to the process of detailing and implementing this strategic vision of the

Government of Gujarat. It is the product of a continuous process of primary data collection

from the field as well as frequent personal contacts with allied sectors for the collection of

secondary data. Efforts have been made to analyse and correlate the available information

with the actual field conditions.

I am sure this document will come in handy to various stakeholders including decision

makers in striking a balance between the economic growths and protecting our biological

heritage in the process of achieving a sustainable development.

I congratulate Gujarat Ecology Commission for publishing this document which would go

a long way in conserving the coastal natural resources in times to come.

Dr. S.K. Nanda, IAS Principal Secretary Forests & Environment Dept., Government of Gujarat, Gandhinagar

PREFACE

The state of Gujarat is predominately an arid and semi-arid region. But, due to its

geographical position and topographical variations, it is quite rich in its ecological wealth

ranging from grasslands, forests (thorny scrub to canopy forests), wetlands, saline deserts

and the coastal systems. However, most of these ecological systems are facing threats

of different anthropogenic pressure. Considering the length and width of the state,

and spatio-temporal variability of different resources, development of a computerized

information system is the most appropriate answer for cost- effective planning and

management of various natural resources of the State.

As part of the creation of ecological databank, commission has launched project

entitled preparation of Taluka level Ecological Profile with financial support of Forest &

Environment Department, Govt. of Gujarat. As a part of this exercise GEC had prepared

comprehensive ecological profile of 19 talukas located around Gulf of Khambhat. The

taluka includes Umbergaon, Jalalpore, Chorasi, Olpad, Hansot, Valsad, Jambusar, Vagra,

Dhandhuka, Bhavnagar, Ghogha, Talaja, Mahuva, Rajula, Jafrabad, Una, Kodinar, Gandevi

and Khambhat.

Main objectives of this exercise are, to collect data/ information at taluka level on those

parameters which have certain correlations with the ecological condition of the region from

available secondary sources. Its also aim to analyzed available primary (on biodiversity) &

secondary data to put in GIS domain to prepare digital ecological profile of each taluka.

For the collection of primary data, field survey was undertaken by GEC team as well as

for the secondary data collection, majority of data were collected from offices of various

Government departments and agencies. The data were decided to organize, first into a

simple database, and later be transported into GIS platform.

During the survey of biodiversity in selected coastal talukas around Gulf of Khambhat,

430 plant species were recorded, out of these total species, 91 species were woody,

201 species were herbaceous and 39 species were climbers while faunal diversity have

28 mammalian species, 215 bird species, 32 repti lian species. Parameters like climate,

human populati on, land use, agriculture and irrigati on, livestock which are related with

ecology were also collected by various sources. In the case of secondary informati on,

GEC tried to collect informati on of last 20 years to correlate the primary & secondary

informati on to visualize the trends of ecological changes during last 20 years in each

selected taluka.

To complete the exercises, I dedicate my grati tude to all the departments and agencies for

their help by providing secondary data. The Gujarat Ecological Commission appreciates

the support and cooperati on of Centre for Environment & Social Concern, Ahmedabad

to provide their services in fi nalizati on of appropriate methodology and guidelines to

collect primary data, as well as in conti nuous support throughout the enti re exercise.

I also appreciate the study team of GEC for their eff orts to bring out with this report.

This report is aimed at sensiti zing, apprising and familiarizing laymen and specialists as

well as managers and policy makers alike, the issues of biological diversity and ecological

situati on of Gujarat. I hope this report will be useful in planning for diff erent government

and non government agencies.

E. Balagurusamy (IFS) Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Member Secretary, Gujarat Ecology Commission,

Gandhinagar

Gujarat Ecology Commission

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This report is an outcome of a proposal of Gujarat Ecology Commission which was

approved by the Forest and Environment Department, government of Gujarat as new

item in the year 2008-09. Since then, this activity continues. The report incorporates areas

falling within 19 Coastal Talukas along the Gulf of Khambhat. I extend my special gratitude

to Dr. S.K. Nanda, IAS, Principal Secretary, Forest & Environment Department for accepting

our proposal and supporting this activity.

Thanks are due to Shri. E.Balagurusamy, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and

Member Secretary, GEC for periodically reviewing the progress and giving necessary

guidance.

Collecting secondary data from various Government departments and other agencies was

facilitated by the respective nodal officers. I will remain indebted to all of them.

Dr. Arun Mani Dixit of Centre for Environmental and Social Concern (CESC), Ahmedabad

has put in untiring efforts in designing the methodology, analysing primary and secondary

data and drawing broad inferences. He has been instrumental in giving final shape to this

report. His contribution is sincerely acknowledged.

During field work, our team received necessary support from the Dy. Conservators of

Forests, Valsad, Navsari, Surat, Bharuch, Ahmedabad, Dhari, Bhavnagar, Nadiad & Anand.

I am thankful to all of them.

One of the biggest tasks during this exercise was plant identification. It would have

been very difficult to identify herbaceous plants and grasses but for the assistance from

Dr. A. B. Vora (Retd. Prof.).

Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Application and Geo - informatics (BISAG) contributed

in digitizing data and preparing maps as and when required.

Contribution of Dr. Indranil Gadhavi, Head of the Department, Dept. of Marine Science,

Bhavnagar University, for guiding our field team during primary data collection.

I will be failing in my duty if I don’t mention GEC team whose painstaking efforts made it

all possible.

C. H. Pandya (IFS) CF & Director Gujarat Ecology Commission, Gandhinagar


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Due to geographical positioning and distinct physical and oceanographic

characteristics, the 1600 km long coastal tracts of Gujarat can be divided into four

sub-regions. These include (i) Gulf of Kachchh (ii) Saurashrtra Coast (iii) Gulf of Khambhat

and (iv) South Gujarat Coast. Ironically, most of these coastal systems are vulnerable to

various anthropogenic activities including rapid industrialization and coastal infrastructure

development projects (like ports, oil terminals etc.), jeopardizing both ecological as well

as livelihood securities along these regions.

Development of a computerized information system is critical for cost- effective planning

and management of various natural resources of coastal tracts of the State. Keeping

above in view, Gujarat Ecology Commission (GEC) plan to collect and organize ecological

information of all the coastal talukas in the State . As a part of this exercise in first phase

GEC had initiated preparation of ecological profile of 19 coastal talukas adjoining Gulf of

Khambhat. The selected talukas include Umbergaon, Jalalpore, Chorasi, Olpad, Hansot,

Valsad, Jambusar, Vagra, Dhandhuka, Bhavnagar, Ghogha, and Talaja. Thus, this study has

been undertaken with following objectives:

1. To collate data/ information at taluka level on those parameters which have certain

correlations with the ecological condition of the region from available secondary

sources

2. Undertake field surveys in ecologically important sites to collect data on important

biological parameters at taluka level.

3. To organize both primary and secondary data in GIS domain

4. To prepare ecological profile of each taluka

To achieve the above objectives, two pronged approach was adopted: (i) the field surveys

to collect information about flora, fauna and their habitats and, (ii) collation of relevant

secondary data which are required to build up ecological profile from various sources. The

collected data were organized, first into a simple database, and finally be transported into

GIS platform. During field surveys, a total 1339 sample plots were surveyed for recording

vegetation and habitat parameters, while 447 points were surveyed for faunal records.

During the survey, both direct and indirect evidences of wildlife were recorded. Wherever

possible, photographic evidences were also collected for plant and animal species.

A total of 430 plant species were recorded during the survey. With the record of 231 and

221 species, the Una and Mahuva are the two phyto-rich talukas, respectively. Survey also

revealed the presence of 28 mammals, 215 birds and 32 reptile species from the surveyed

coastal talukas.


As part of secondary data collection, time series data on parameters like rainfall, human

population, land use, cropping area, irrigation, livestock etc, which are related with well

being of local ecology were collected. Recent trends indicate a decline in the average

annual rainfall in 10 talukas. Especially, high percentage decline in rainfall was recorded in

talukas like Kodinar (21.3%), Mahuva (18.6%), Jambusar (18.8%) and Rajula (17.5%).

The data were also analyzed to show trends in human and livestock population and other

parameters like area under crop cultivation, irrigation, forest cover etc. Between 1997

and 2003, on overall basis, increase of about 6.4% and 9.4% was observed in cattle and

buffalo population. But, in Jafrabad, Rajula and Gandevi talukas declining trends are

recorded. While, human population was found rising in the study talukas varied growth

trajectories are reported. In terms of poverty, however, Valsad and Umbergaon talukas

are top in the list with 24 and 19.5% of total population as BPL, respectively. The large

BPL population indicate higher degree of dependence on common natural resources like

forests, pasturelands etc.

Among the major landuse categories, while it was found that forest areas get declined in

most of the talukas, the maximum decline was recorded in Una taluka, where between

1980 and 2005 more than 30000 ha forest land was found converted into barren category.

Pasturelands are also declined in a few talukas like Dhandhuka and Rajula. Overall, the

fallow lands in these talukas are also declined. Reasons for such shifts in landuse categories

and their driving forces need to be explored.

During the same period, net sown area in Dhandhuka taluka recorded massive decline

of about 73200 ha. However, in talukas like Bhavnagar, Kodinar and Valsad the same was

found increased, indicating improvement in irrigation infrastructure in these talukas. Data

also suggests that on overall basis, the total area under irrigation was increased over the

years.

During 1991 and 2004 there were major shifts in cropping pattern. Accordingly, area under

traditional food crops like cereal, pulses and oil seeds were declined, while cultivation of

cash crops like sugarcane, tobacco etc. were on rise. Jafrabad, Gogha, Olpad, Mahuva and

Hansot talukas recorded a high percentage increase in cash crop area.

While this report recorded some interesting trends and changes in various land use

categories, cropping patterns, irrigation etc. the data needs further exploration. More

intensive and systematic ecological survey will also help understanding the floral, faunal

abundance and distribution. The report also suggests various measures to improve the

quality of data collection and analysis in second phase of the study.


CONTENT1. INTRODUCTION 1 1.1. Rationale of study 1 1.2. Scope and limitation of the study 2 1.3. Objectives 3 1.4. Report presentation and important caveats 4 1.5. Overview to Gulf of Khambhat 52. APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY 7 2.1. Taluka Selection 7 2.2. Collection of Secondary data 7 2.3. Collection of Primary data 93. FLORA FAUNA STATUS 17 3.1. Habitat characteristics 17 3.2. Floral characteristics 22 3.2.1. Species richness 22 3.2.2. Species Abundance 26 3.3. Faunal Characteristics 38 3.3.1. Mammals 38 3.3.2. Birds 51 3.3.3. Reptiles 564. SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL TREND 65 4.1. Climate 65 4.2. Human Population 69 4.3. Landuse 71 4.3.1. Forest 77 4.4. Agriculture and Irrigation 78 4.5. Livestock 91 4.6. Energy 96 4.6.1. Electricity consumption 96 4.6.2. Fuel consumption 100 4.6.2.1. Fuel use pattern 100 4.6.2.2. Gas pipeline 105 4.6.2.3. Biogas 105 4.7. Industry 108 4.8. Road network 111 4.9. Fish Production 112 4.10. Saltwork 1165. CONCLUSION 117


LIST OF TABLES IN THE REPORT

CHAPTER 2: Approach and Methodology

Table 2.1 List of Selected Talukas during entire study.

Table 2.2 List of Desired and Collected Secondary Data for the Purpose of Study

Table 2.3 Number of sample points in different talukas during entire study.

CHAPTER 3: Flora – Fauna Status

Table 3.1 Number of sample plots in different habitat and terrain types during entire

study.

Table 3.2 State of Different habitat and anthropogenic pressure parameters in different

talukas.

Table 3.3 Taluka wise record of plant species during the survey during entire study.

Table 3.4 Density (No./ha) of Woody Plants in Coastal Mudflat Areas studied during

initial season of sampling.

Table 3.5 Density (No./Ha) of woody plants in terrestrial areas of different talukas

during entire study.

Table 3.6 Summary of Floral Characteristics of all 19 Talukas covered during entire

study.

Table 3.7 Summary of status of mammalian species record in different talukas during

entire study.

Table 3.8 Record of Mammalian Species During the Survey.

Table 3.9 Frequency of report of mammal species in different talukas by local people

during study period.

Table 3.10 Frequency of Direct Sightings of different species in different Talukas during

study period.

Table 3.11 Frequency (no. of records) of indirect records of mammal species in different

talukas during entire study.

Table 3.12 Taluka wise bird species richness & encounter rate during entire study.

Table 3.13 Frequency (%) of Bird Species Record during the Survey.

Table 3.14 Number of species in different population size class recorded during the

survey.

Table 3.15 Taluka wise record of Reptile Species.

Table 3.16 Distribution and Recorded Number of Reptile Species in different Talukas.


CHAPTER 4: Socio-Ecological Trends

Table 4.1 Rainfall Pattern in the Talukas.

Table 4.2 Total and BPL Population in each Taluka.

Table 4.3a Landuse changes in different talukas.

Table 4.3b Landuse changes in different talukas.

Table 4.4 Extent (Ha.) of Forest Areas and Vidis in Talukas covered during study.

Table 4.5 Change in area under different crop types across talukas.

Table 4.6 Percentage Change in Area Under Different Crops (1991-2004).

Table 4.7a Taluka wise Percentage Change in Cereal and Pulse Crops between 1991 and

2004.

Table 4.7b Taluka wise Percentage Change in Oilseed and Cash Crops between 1991

and 2004.

Table 4.8 Five Year Average Area (in ha) under Irrigation by different Sources.

Table 4.9 Percentage Change in Different Source of Irrigation (1990-2005).

Table 4.10 Change in Livestock population in Different Talukas.

Table 4.11 Overall Electricity Consumption (Units in MUS) in different talukas.

Table 4.12 Sector wise Average Electricity Consumption (units in MUS) in 2000-2004

and 2005-2009 periods.

Table 4.13 Share (%) in Electric Consumption for Different Sectors.

Table 4.14 Change in Share (%) of Electricity Consumption in Different Sectors (Between

2000 and 2009).

Table 4.15 Consumption (in Kilo Litre) of Petrol & Diesel in different Talukas for

transportation purpose.

Table 4.16 Industrial Fuel Consumption (in Kilolitre) in different Taluka.

Table 4.17 Domestic Fuel Consumption in different Taluka.

Table 4.18 Spread of Pipeline for Domestic Cooking Gas in different Talukas.

Table 4.19 Number of Biogas plants in different talukas.

Table 4.20 Number of Medium and Large Industries in Different Talukas.

Table 4.21 Development of Road Network (in km) in different Taluka.

Table 4.22 Landing Centre wise Change in Fish Catch (in Tons).

Table 4.23 Taluka wise Change in Fish Catch (in Tons).

Table 4.24 Change in Scale of Salt Work and their Production in different talukas.

Annexure 3.1: Checklist of Plant Species Recorded During the Survey

Annexure 3.2 Checklist of Bird Species and Their Recorded Numbers

Gujarat Ecology Commission | 1

Introduction

1.1 RationaleofStudy

Integrated resource management approach has been recognized as an important aspect

of planning at the regional level. In any such resource management practice, the first

step would be the accurate and periodic resource base inventories by understanding

the spatial integration of resources in the area. The modern management is basically

a decision science and a resource manager needs periodical evaluation of different

resource attributes to examine the capabilities of a particular land area, before concurring

to any decision. To conduct this evaluation one needs up-to-date data on resources

and an efficient system for storing, retrieving, and analyzing these data. Computerized

Geographical Information System (GIS) is one such system available to effectively handle

the above.

The State of Gujarat is predominately an arid and semi-arid region. But, due to its

geographical position and topographical variations, it is quite rich in its ecological wealth

ranging from grasslands, forests (thorny scrub to canopy forests), wetlands, saline deserts

and the coastal systems. However, most of these ecological systems are facing threats of

different kinds originated from almost all the above-defined pressures of anthropogenic

nature. Considering the length and width of the state, and spatio-temporal variability

of different resources, development of a computerized information system is the most

appropriate answer for cost- effective planning and management of various natural

resources of the State. Keeping this in view, Gujarat Ecology Commission (GEC) is aiming

to prepare spatial and non-spatial database of key ecological parameters that can be used

in better land use planning, wasteland development, environmental and social impact

assessment of developmental projects, conservation of rare and endangered biodiversity

including flora and fauna and their critical habitats, identification of ecologically sensitive

areas, climate friendly energy development etc.

Gujarat, a maritime state, endowed with about 1600 km. long coastline which is

approximately 21% of the entire Indian coastline. Gujarat’s coastline is uniquely

heterogeneous in a sense that within the 1600 km long coastline it has been broadly

divided into four geo-morphologically and oceanographically distinct sub-regions. These

include Saurashtra Coast, South Gujarat Coast and two gulfs viz. Gulf of Kachchh and Gulf

1. INTRODUCTION

2 | Gujarat Ecology Commission

Introduction

of Khambhat (or Cambay), covering about 60% of the State’s coastline. Importantly, out

of three Gulfs in the country, two are situated in the Gujarat state. In direct dependency

term, total population of more than one million people in about 550 villages reside along

the coast and extract its resources.

Ironically, all these coastal sub-regions are facing inherent challenges of economic

development and associated environmental degradation. They are vulnerable to various

developmental activities including rapid industrialization and coastal infrastructure

expansion projects (like ports, oil terminals etc.) as part of strategic economic development

policies (like promotion of SEZ, SIR etc). These seriously alter the land-use system of the

region which in turn influence related sub-systems like soil, agriculture, livestock, fishery,

hydrology, bio-diversity etc., jeopardizing both ecological as well as livelihood securities

along these regions.

Keeping above concerns in view, Gujarat Ecology Commission (GEC) plans to collect and

organize ecological information of all the coastal talukas in the State. As a matter of fact,

explicit goal of this exercise is to facilitate creation of a decision support system through

up-to-date inventorying of different parameters that are associated with the health of

coastal ecology, their analysis and feedback. Thus, diverse sets of data compiled and

outputs generated of this exercise will be useful to various stakeholders including policy

makers, planners, researchers and civil society organizations.

1.2. Scope&LimitationsoftheStudy

As described above, GEC explicitly aims to prepare an environmental decision support

system for promoting sustainable development in coastal regions of Gujarat. The first

step towards the achievement of above goal was, however, initiated for the coastal region

along the Gulf of Khambhat. Thus, in the initial phase of this program, 19 talukas along

the Gulf of Khambhat were chosen for preparation of their ecological profile. Considering

the enormity of the task, the above were attempted and achieved in two contiguous

years viz. 2008-2009 and 2009-2010.

It is important to mention here that internet search reveals that there is no any formal

definition of “ecological profile” available, and the term is used differently in different

contexts. Simply, therefore, in the present context, the term ecological profiling is used

to present the state of different parameters which had some linkages with the ecology/

environment of the coastal talukas. In a sense this exercise of “ecological profiling” is

providing baseline data of some of the prioritised indicative parameters of sustainable

coastal development (like climate, flora/fauna, land use changes, developmental


Introduction

scenarios like industries, energy demands etc.). The baseline data is mostly of different

time period (in other words the time-series data), collected from different existing

sources (secondary data).

In view of above, this study simply attempts to (i) collate relevant data from various

agencies and also by undertaking limited primary field surveys, and (ii) analyse collated

data to record key spatial and temporal trends in them. However, considering the fact

that the secondary data were coming from various sources and thus are not matching in

their periods and, in many cases, in their administrative scales (like talukas and district),

the framework for integrated analysis was quite restrictive. Thus, in most of the cases,

the analysis is limited to single parameter. Actually, in a broad sense, this work is a kind

of scoping study, which aspires for knowing approximate trends in various parameters

and aims to identify critical talukas along the Gulf of Khambhat. Contextually, this study

neither attempts to record the “proximate and root/policy causes” of above trends nor

it explores various “ecological/environmental and socio-economical effects” of those

trends. Considering the limited time and financial resources available for the study, no

detailing of data/information had been attempted below the taluka level. Therefore, in

order to gain deeper insight on various “causes and effects”, series of follow-up case

studies need to be separately initiated.

On the aspects related to flora and fauna, despite constraints of time to undertake

statistically rigorous data gathering system (that include sufficiently large sampling and

covering different seasons) as well as non-availability of studies on flora and fauna at taluka

level, the study attempts primary field surveys in each taluka. The information generated

through such surveys need to be considered as representative not as comprehensive.

1.3. Objectives

Based on above understanding and to achieve the overall agenda of sustainable coastal

development, the present study defines following major objectives:

1. To collate data/ information at taluka level on those parameters which have certain

correlations with the ecological condition of the region from available secondary

sources

2. Undertake field surveys in ecologically important sites to collect data on important

biological parameters at taluka level.

3. To organize both primary and secondary data in GIS domain

4. To understand the trends and the state of different indicative parameters of

sustainable development in coastal talukas


Introduction

1.4. ReportPresentationandImportantCaveats

The report is mainly consisting of five sections. Following this introductory chapter,

a detailed description of approach and methodology, adopted during the study, is

presented. The taluka wise data presentation and their analysis is actually divided into

two separate chapters. Chapter 3 provide detailed account of status of flora and fauna

and their habitat in each taluka. Chapter 4, however, presents summaries and trends

in various climatic and socio-ecologically linked parameters. Using these parameters,

this chapter actually identifies key socio-ecological changes occurs in coastal talukas

(needless to say, without exploring the causes and the effects) along Gulf of Khambhat.

The last section briefly presents key conclusions of this entire exercise. Relevant raw as

well as analysed data are presented in the Annexures, at the end of the document.

While the report is prepared with an aim to use it by wider section of the society, yet it is

important to highlight here the key limitations of this exercise. It is important for avoiding

inappropriate use and interpretation of different data sets and their trend etc. Thus,

following qualifications are required to bear in mind before using this report for various

planning and research needs:

1. Most of the data are collected from different Government Department/ Agencies,

using official channels. While the care has been taken to check the authenticity of

the data values, the final responsibility of the data lies with the concerned agency/

department.

2. In many instances, the data are not up-to-date, and thus the derived trends and

other summaries need to be used carefully.

3. The time-series data provided by different agencies does not able to disaggregate

the values, keeping the reorganization of talukas in perspective. This is considered

important especially in the situations where sudden changes are recorded in the

values and thus the trends. User of this report need to identify and highlight this

fact before using it.

4. The primary data on floral and faunal assemblages is not complete and /or

comprehensive. As a matter of fact, a taluka level inventory of biodiversity is

quite an ambitious task. Due to resource limitations, the study did not explore the

previous records and studies and thus not able to generate complete range of floral

and faunal assemblage for each taluka. Also, seasonal variations in floral and faunal

status also not explored. Nevertheless, the data presented in this report need to

be seen in conjunction with other existing knowledge about key species as well as

sites.


Introduction

5. It is important to reiterate that the data and their trends may not be used directly

for drawing conclusions about various “causes” and “effects”. Rather, the trends

need to be used for indicating some interesting ‘happenings’ in some parameters

and/or talukas.

1.5. OverviewtoGulfofKhambhat

India is bestowed with three gulfs viz. Gulf of Kahchchh, Gulf of Khambhat and Gulf of

Mannar. Gujarat, one of the longestest maritime states of India prides of taking up two

gulfs, Gulf of Kachchh and Gulf of Khambhat respectively within its boundaries. Both

the gulfs owe their own picularities in terms of physiography, hydrography, biodiversity

and the surrounding coinfluences. Gulf of Khambhat is oriented with its tail towards the

north and mouth towards the south.

The Gulf of Khambhat, covering about 3,120 sq km, is situated between 21°00’

N and 22°18’ N latitudes and 72°15’ E and 72°45’ E longitudes. Gulf of Khambhat

owes its own peculiarities in terms of tis geomorphology, hydrodynamics and high

tidal amplitude. The funnel like structure of gulf with wide mouth and narrow

head (width 200 km at mouth of Gulf terminating to ~6 km at the tail). This feature

makes the Gulf second in the world in terms of tidal amplitude. Several reivers including

major rivers of Gujarat like Narmada, Tapi, Sabarmati and Mahi opens in Gulf draining

down water and alluvium to the gulf and coastal area.

The wide range of variation in population density and growth reflects the heterogenous

status of natural resource base, agriculture and other economic activities/ development.

Gulf, withing its adjoining talukas supports an approximate population of 4.3 million as

per the 1991 census.


Introduction

Since histories, Gulf of Khambhat has marked its presence in terms of prosperity

depending on the glorious ports and development based humansettlements. Gulf of

Khambhat, covering 400 km long coastline forms about one fourth of the total coastline

of the state. Dahej and Ghogha has been one of the important ports since histories

marking their presence in Gulf of Kahmbhat.The area around Gulf of Kahmbhat different

spreads over 19189 sq.km in nighteen talukas. The adjoining area has been emerging as

industrial development zone. The region from Vadodara to Vapi has been considered as

a ‘Golden corridor’ in terms of industrial leap. The ports and transportation facilitation

of Gulf has attracted various industries to develop on the fringe. No doubt, the same has

changed the socio-economics of the area as well as the direct or indirect changes in the

landuse pattern.

Looking to these piculiarities of Gulf, the study was aimed to build up a baseline preliminary

stutus on ecological data with the correlated data in the 19 talukas surrounding the Gulf

of Khambhat.


Approach and Methodology

Considering the above objectives in view and juxtaposed those with the availability of time and resources, following approach was adopted which involved Taluka selection, Collection of secondary data and collection of Primary data.

2.1 TalukaSelection

The aim of the study was to outline the biotic status of talukas bordering Gulf of Khmabhat. During entire phase of the study, a total of 19 talukas along the Gulf of Khambhat belonging to 09 districts were selected (Table 2.1, Fig. 2.1).

Table2.1:ListofSelectedTalukasduringentirestudy.

District Taluka

Ahmedabad Dhandhuka

Anand Khambhat

Amreli Jafrabad, Rajula

Bharuch Hansot, Jambusar, Vagra

Bhavnagar Bhavnagar, Gogha, Mahuva, Talaja

Junagadh Kodinar, Una

Navsari Gandevi, Jalalpor

Surat Choryasi, Olpad

Valsad Umbargaon, Valsad

2.2 CollectionofSecondaryData

Collection of secondary information is critical for the desired outcome of the study. Accordingly, relevant secondary data/information those are required to build-up ecological profile of coastal talukas was pre-identified through round of brain storming sessions (Table 2.2). The data were decided to organize, first into a simple database, and later be transported into GIS platform. For collecting the data which can easily be exported into GIS, detailed formats for each of the data sets were developed. Majority of data were collected from offices of various Government Departments and Agencies. During the course of this study, however, out of comprehensive list, data/information was able to collect only on certain parameters (Table 2.2)1.

2. APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY

1 It is important to mention here that taluka like Jalalpur was recently carved out from existing talukas of Valsad district. Therefore, most of the available government data are yet not been updated for the taluka.



Table2.2:ListofDesiredandCollectedSecondaryDataforthePurposeofStudy

Parameter Data Type Collected Data

Climate Total Annual Rainfall 1980 to 2002

Rainy Days 1990-2002

Vegetation Open, Dense, Mangrove 1991 to 1997

Reserved, Protected, Unclassified 1960- 1996

Reserved, Protected 2000 to 2009

Livestock No. of Livestock Species 1997, 2003

Fish Taluka wise, Centre wise marine

production

1998 to 2009

Water Irrigation by source Oil Engine + electric motors

(1975, 1980, 1990, 1995)

Ground water draft & development 1978 (the aquifer

information); only one year

Agriculture Crop wise Area 1991 to 2004

Irrigation by source 1991 to 2005

Ecological Forest area (RF/PF/ Unclass/ PAs, Vidis,

plantation area)

Socio-Economic Census details 1991, 2001

BPL Families 2001

Basic Amenities 2001

Fisheries (fishing village/ population) At district level

Fisheries Production (marine & inland) At district level

Livestock Census 1997, 2003

Landuse Area under different landuse type 1970 to 2005

Salt Work No. of Salt pan under lease 1991 to 2009

Area under salt pan lease 1991 to 2009

Total production of salt 1991 to 2009

Industries No. of medium and large industries 1983 to 2010

Drinking water No. of villages with different sources of

drinking water

2000 to 2009

Energy No.of villages electrified 2000 to 2009

Electricity Consumption in different

sectors (Domestic, Industrial etc.)

2000 to 2009

Fuel consumption in different sectors 2000 to 2009

Road Network Length of different types of Roads 2000 to 2009



The data thus collected were tried to analyse for the trends over the years. For better

comprehension, the analysed data are presented in tabular forms and also depicted

through GIS maps.

2.3. CollectionofPrimaryDataonBiologicalParameters

It was well understood that while there are many information on various aspects of

environment that can be collected from various Government Departments and Agencies,

data on floral and faunal elements and their habitats at taluka level is almost non-

existent. Thus as part of this exercise it was decided to undertook rapid field surveys

to make inventories of key floral and faunal elements in each taluka. Based on round of

discussions with the team members, approach & methodology has been finalized.

In each taluka, field surveys were conducted to make an inventory of flora and fauna (the

birds, reptiles and mammals) and also recorded key habitats attributes. For this, sample

points were identified through a two stage process. Initially, the areas of ecological

importance (e.g. hills, forests, wetlands, river beds, reservoirs etc.) in each taluka

were marked on 1:50,000 scale topo-sheets. Later, in each of these identified areas,

sample points were located based on obvious variations in the vegetation, topography,

disturbances etc. The sample points were identified using field judgment of project team.

While in this method there was obvious risk of biasness in selecting sample points, but by

selecting more number of sample points, this biasness get nullified, to a certain extent.

Actually, the project team looked for different habitat conditions while moving from one

location to another and once observed any such visually different habitat was observed

it was sampled to account the floral and faunal diversity.

Circumstantially the entire study was done in two parts in different seasons wherein the

first part of the survey was carried out between 22nd November 2008 and 20th February

2009 in winter season. It is important to mention here that, while vegetation and habitat

inventories were covered in all the 12 talukas, the faunal inventories were possible only

in 9 talukas2. During initial part of the study a different approach of survey and primary

data collection was employed by using sample points for floral and faunal component. In

each sample point, a circular plot of 17.85 m radius (i.e. 0.1 ha size) were employed for

recording different parameters related with vegetation and habitats. While above plots

were used for search and record of reptilian species, for bird and mammals, the survey

was conducted beyond the plot and thus covered larger areas.

2 The faunal inventories were restricted mainly due to not finding suitable field researcher having experience in field based faunal inventories.

DiscussionwithforestofficialsandlocalstakeholdersbyGECofficials



During second season of sampling a slight modification in the approach was done. The field work was conducted between October 2009 and February 2010. Based on field experience and quality of recorded data on flora and fauna in the first round of field surveys (in 12 talukas), it was strongly felt that there is a need to adopt a scientifically rigorous approach for sampling and data recording for the second phase of the study. Thus, in order to do a systematic data collection on floral and faunal elements, sampling approach was modified and also adopted in the field. Thus during this phase, data were recorded for only winter season.

Thus, in order to make the sampling approach ecologically more representative of the ground reality, stratified random sampling approach was adopted. For this, printed copies of landuse/ land cover map (1:250000 scale) of each taluka was procured from BISAG (Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applicationa and Geoinformatics). Subsequently, on these landuse /landcover map (like forest, grasslands, scrub lands etc), grids of 1km x 1km size were overlaid. Total number of grids under each landuse/landcover category was enumerated and of each category, between 10-15% grids were randomly selected for sampling purpose. Furthermore, to ensure that the grids are distributed evenly, the entire taluka was also divided into three equal vertical zones and almost equal number of grids was selected from each of the zones (Fig. 2.1). In this approach, transect sampling was taken in consideration in faunal and floral sampling in selected talukas.

During entire studies, both direct and indirect evidences of wildlife were recorded. In each

plot, many habitat parameters (like topography, surface, vegetation cover, anthropogenic

pressure, etc.) were also recorded to derive some correlations with faunal and floral

elements. Wherever possible, photographic evidences were also collected for plant and

animal species.



For collecting the information in the field, data formats had been prepared separately

for recording various habitat parameters and also different elements of plant and animal

species. A total of seven different formats were developed for the above purpose (See

Annexure 2.2).

The collected data were analysed for different ecological parameters like density,

frequency, species richness etc.

Overall, 1339 sample points were surveyed for making vegetation and habitat inventories,

only 447 points were surveyed for faunal records during entire study (Table 2.3). The

locations of all the sample points in different talukas were presented in Fig. 2.2.

Table2.3:Numberofsamplepointsindifferenttalukasduringentirestudy.

# Taluka No.ofSamplePointsVegetation&Habitat/

Sample Points

FaunalInventories/

Transects1 Bhavnagar# 15 332 Chorasi 18 73 Dhandhuka 11 04 Ghogha 42 55 Hansot 13 06 Jalalpore 21 47 Jambusar 15 08 Olpad 13 79 Talaja 32 2610 Umbergam 16 611 Vagra 9 512 Valsad 25 1013 Gandevi 81 3014 Jafrabad 161 5115 Khambhat 102 2916 Kodinar 87 2817 Mahuva 171 5618 Rajula 207 6319 Una 300 87

TOTAL 1339 447

# No floral survey and faunal survey were taken during different seasons.

The schematic representation of the entire methodology and approach employed in

present study can be represented by the flow chart in Fig. 2.3.



Fig.

2.2

. Map

sho

win

g 19

talu

kas

surv

eyed

dur

ing

the

entir

e st

udy

peri

od.

Del

inea

ted

poin

ts re

pres

ents

the

tran

sect

s/sa

mpl

e po

ints

in re

spec

tive

talu

kas.



FLOW CHART

Fig. 2.3. A flow-chart representing the methodology and approach adopted in the entire

study.

Hyphaene indica Becc. (Ravan Tad, Diu Tad)

Asiatic Lion


Flora-Fauna Status

3.1. HabitatCharacteristics

During the survey of both the phase, data were collected from 1339 sample plots of 447 transects were taken. These plots represent different types of habitats in different proportions. A total of 15 different habitat types were sampled during the entire survey (Table 3.1). Riverine Open and Dense Scrubs and Shrub Savannas were the most frequently sampled types. A total of 19 mangrove sites were also surveyed along with 107 other sites representing aquatic bodies as well as salt pans. Furthermore, these sites were also sampled from different terrain types. Being the coastal talukas, majority of the sample sites were found in flatter terrain followed by undulating and hilly areas.

Table3.1:Numberofsampleplotsindifferenthabitatand

terraintypesduringentirestudy

Habitat Type Terrain Type Total

Flat Hilly Undulating

Agriculture 239 3 1 243

Dense Scrub 31 10 24 65

Grassland 6 14 9 29

Mangrove 19 0 0 19

Open Scrub 105 21 202 328

Open Scrub with Water body 7 0 1 08

Riverine Dense Scrub 3 0 1 04

Riverine Open Scrub 1 1 2 04

Riverine 327 0 8 335

Riverine Shrub Savanna 1 0 0 01

Salt Pan 110 0 0 110

Shrub Savanna 12 28 10 40

Shrub Savanna with Salt Pan 7 0 00 07

Tree Savanna 9 10 8 27

Water Body 113 0 0 113

Grand Total 990 87 266 1333

Source: BISAG(Bhaskaracharya Inst.of space application & Geo informatics, Gandhinagar)

3. FLORA-FAUNA STATUS


Flora-Fauna Status

Wetland

Salt Pan

Hilly Terrain - Shrub Savannah

Agriculture

Grassland

Coastal Area


Flora-Fauna Status

During the field survey, at every sample point, information was collected on different parameters of habitat and anthropogenic pressures. For this, the conditions were evaluated occularly and given a score between 0 and 5. A total of 1333 sample points were surveyed during the study. A pie chart represents the overall habitat types coveredduring the surveys and sampling suggesting open scrub, agriculture and riverine to be the majorly surved sites (Fig. 3.1). For better comprehension about each of these habitats and anthropogenic pressures, the average value of given score for all the sample plots in each Taluka was presented (Table 3.2, Fig. 3.2). Thus, it is quite clear that among the talukas, Valsad had best tree canopy cover followed by Khambhat and Gandevi talukas. However, grass and herbaceous cover was found best in Bhavnagar followed by Mahuva, Ghogha, Hansot and Valsad talukas. In anthropogenic pressure terms, the Mahuva taluka had highest number of cattle dung pats, suggesting high degree of grazing pressure.

Fig. 3.1. Pie chart representing sampling plots/transects in different type of habitats.


Flora-Fauna Status

Table3.2:StateofDifferenthabitatandanthropogenicpressure

parametersindifferenttalukasTaluka AverageRankingScore(0to5)* Avg.

Number ofDung

Pats

N

Tree Canopy Cover

Shrub Cover

(<50 cm)

Shrub Cover

(>50 cm)

Grass/Herba- ceous Cover

Tree Cutting

Pressure

Lopping Pressure

Bhavnagar 2.50 1 1.4 3.7 0 0 3.1 15Chorasi 1.80 1.8 2.7 1.2 0.1 0.3 3.8 18Dhandhuka 0.70 1.7 2.6 2.3 1 0.8 11.6 11Ghogha 2.30 2.1 1.8 2.9 1 0.7 2.7 42Hansot 0.80 1.1 2 2.8 0.1 0.1 5.5 13Jalalpor 2.10 2 2.9 1.4 0.4 0.6 9.7 21Jambusar 1.40 1.4 1.7 2.1 0.1 0.4 3.9 15Olpad 1.60 2.2 2.5 1.9 0 0 9 13Talaja 1.30 1.6 2.2 2.5 0.5 0.6 3.9 33Umbergaon 2.60 2.1 2.4 1.4 0 0 7.3 16Vagra 2.40 2 2.7 2.7 0.2 0.3 8.8 10Valsad 3.80 2.2 2.2 2.8 0.6 0.6 8.2 25Gandevi 3.10 2.1 2.4 2.2 0.5 0.5 8.6 81Jafrabad 2.40 2.4 2 2.7 0.8 0.6 8.9 161Khambhat 3.20 2.2 2.1 1.6 0.7 0.5 5.9 102Kodinar 2.20 1.7 1.7 2.2 0.8 0.7 21 87Mahuva 2.30 2.6 2.3 3.5 0.3 0.1 31.2 171Rajula 2.40 2.3 1.9 2.4 0.9 0.7 7.6 207Una 2.70 2 1.8 1.8 1.3 0.9 3.3 300Overall 2.19 1.92 2.17 2.32 0.49 0.44 11.2 1109

* 0 means no cover or absence of pressure; 5 means dense cover or very high degree of pressure


Flora-Fauna Status

Fig.

3.2

. Sho

win

g di

ffere

nt h

abita

t per

cent

age

and

anth

ropo

geni

c pr

essu

re le

vel


Flora-Fauna Status

3.2. FloralCharacteristics

3.2.1. Species Richness

During the field survey, floral species were recorded at two levels: one within the

sample plots and other from outside sample plots and were finally used for preparing

the checklist for each taluka. During the entire phase of the study, a sum total of 430

species were recorded wherein a total of 331 were recorded in first part of the survey

of 12 talukas while 302 speccies were reported in second phase of the study covering

remaining seven talukas (Table 3.3). From overall 430 plant species were recorded from

19 talukas, 145 species were woody in nature, 236 species were herbaceous and 49

species were climbers (Table 3.3). A complete checklist of all the recorded species is

presented in Annexure 3.1.

Table3.3:Talukawiserecordofplantspeciesduringthesurvey

duringentirestudy.

Taluka Sample

points/

Transects

Woody

species

Herbaceous

species

Climber

Species

Total

Species

Species

Encounter Rate

(Sps per sample

point)

Bhavnagar 15 51 79 4 134 8.93

Chorasi 18 52 54 10 116 6.44

Dhandhuka 11 30 22 3 55 5

Ghogha 42 55 67 15 137 3.26

Hansot 13 54 43 12 109 8.38

Jalalpore 21 53 62 13 128 6.1

Jambusar 15 55 47 14 116 7.73

Olpad 13 45 36 10 91 7

Talaja 33 59 65 19 143 4.33

Umbergam 16 73 81 6 160 10

Vagra 10 40 38 10 88 8.8

Valsad 25 67 97 12 176 7.04

Gandevi* 30 66 100 14 180 6

Jafrabad* 51 71 91 19 181 3.55

Khambhat* 29 35 109 21 165 5.69

Kodinar* 28 61 104 19 184 6.57

Mahuva* 56 77 126 18 221 3.95

Rajula* 63 79 92 19 190 3.02

Una* 87 85 129 17 231 2.66

Overall 576 145 236 49 430 6.02

* Talukas during second season where transect sampling was used and the species encounter rate was calculated per transect.


Flora-Fauna Status

Anethum graveolens L. (Suwa)

Gloriosa superba L.

Solanum indicum L. (Ubhi Ringni, Vad Ringni)

Barleria cristata L.

Ipomoea nil (L.) Roth. (Kaladana)

Blepharis maderaspatensis (L.) Roth. (Untigan)


Flora-Fauna Status

Borassus flabellifer L. (Tad)

Cassia auriculata L. (Aval, Avali)

Cyperus Sp.

Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. (Kesudo, Khakhro)

Chrysopogon Sp.

Dalbergia latifolia Roxb. (Sisam)


Flora-Fauna Status

In fl oristi c terms, with the record of 231 and 221 species, the Una and Mahuva are the two

richest talukas, respecti vely followed by Rajula (190 sp.) and Kodinar (184 sp.) (Fig. 3.3).

It is generally observed that the record of species is determined mainly by the sampling

eff orts. However, to negate this eff ect, average number of species encountered in unit

sampling eff ort was measured. Thus Umbergaon recorded 160 species in just 16 sample

points i.e. an average of 10 species per sample point (Table 3.3). On the contrary, from 42

sample points in Ghogha, 137 species were recorded with an average of 3.26 species per

sample point. In above context, therefore, talukas like Umbergaon, Bhavnagar, Vagra and

Hansot are supporti ng rich fl oral diversity, while in comparison, the talukas like Ghogha,

Talaja, and Dhandhuka are poor in species diversity.

Fig. 3.3. Shows diversity of fl oral species in diff erent talukas

studied in both seasons.

Other factors, which could infl uence the fl oral species diversity, include the

geo-morphological diversity and rainfall regime. However, due to inadequate informati on,

the relati onships could not be established further.

Overall 430 fl oral species were recorded from 19 talukas. From obtained record

of species, 145 species were woody in nature, 236 species were herbaceous and

49 species were climbers.


Flora-Fauna Status

3.2.2 Species Abundance

For the purpose of recording the abundance of different plant species in different

talukas, the density of each species was measured, initially for each sample point and

subsequently extrapolated for the entire taluka. However, the same was used only for

the woody plant species (i.e. trees and shrubs). It is important to state here that being

the coastal talukas, the sampling efforts was also made in the coastal mudflats (including

the patches of mangrove). The result is, therefore, presented separately for terrestrial

areas and coastal mudflat areas.

A total of 19 sample plots were surveyed in coastal mudflat areas. The coastal mudflat

areas are predominantly covered by Avicennia marina (a mangrove species). Rhizophora

mucronata, another mangrove species was also found in Umargaon and Jalalpor talukas.

A few other terrestrial species also associated with these species on fringe, drier and

higher areas of the mudflats. In terms of density of total plants (mature as well as the

saplings) of these species, A. marina had higher density of plants (Table 3.4).

Table3.4.:Density(No./ha)ofWoodyPlantsinCoastalMudflatAreasstudiedduring

initialseasonofsampling.

Species

Chor

asi

Han

sot

Jala

lpor

Jam

busa

r

Olp

ad

Tala

ja

Um

berg

aon

Vagr

a

Avicennia marina

2535.5 5400.1 576.0 6440.1 6091.6 682.8 1053.5 4620.0

Aegle marmelos 419.0

Acacia nilotica 29.0

Calotropis gigantia

78.1

Prosopis juliflora

92.3 140.4

Peltophorum pterocarpum

14.2

Rhizophora mucronata

261.4 554.0

Salvadora oleoides

92.0 1020.0

Zizyphus jujuba 63.9 4.8

# Note: Though the above given information do not exist for all Talukas with presence of mangroves, few of the talukas with mangrove species is incorporated in Table 3.5.


Flora-Fauna Status

In the terrestrial areas, the woody plant density varies a lot across the talukas. Thus, while

talukas like Valsad and Vagra had the highest density of plants, the Rajula, Kodinar and

Jafrabad recorded lowest density of woody plants (Table 3.5, Fig. 3.4). Importantly, within

the sampling areas, only four species viz. Acacia niloti ca, Azadirachta indica, Prosopis

julifl ora and Zizyphus jujuba were recorded from all the talukas. Cassia auriculata,

Calotropis procera, Capparis sepiaria, Derris indica and Salvadora oleoides were the

other commonly recorded species. In terms of density of plants, values varied greatly

for diff erent species across the talukas. Needless to say, Prosopis julifl ora was found with

average maximum density followed by Acacia niloti ca and Bambusa bambos (Table 3.5).

Prosopis Julifl ora, is one of the important invasive species belonging to family

Fabaceae and subfamily Mimosoideae. An invasion of this species is now

expanding in its area in desert and semi desert, arid ecosystems. Gujarat being

one of the coastal states, the species has its strong foothold in coastal areas and

is conti nuously expanding. Present study showed Prosopis Julifora as one of the

dominant species in terms of density (5160.28 No./ha) in all surveyed talukas.

The plant and its pods are one of the important food for the livestock and the

wild ungulate and other herbevores. The main reason for its fast invasion is

att ributed to the role of livestock, people and wildlife in dispersal of seed.

Calotropis gigantia (L.) R. Br. (Akado)

Dactyloctenium aegyptium (L.) P. Beauv.

Chloris virgata Sw.

Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) W. & A. (Mor Dhundhiyu)

Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms (Kanphutti)


Flora-Fauna Status

Table3

.5.D

ensit

y(No

./Ha)ofw

oody

plantsinterre

stria

lareasofd

ifferen

ttaluk

asduringe

ntirest

udy.

SPEC

IES N

AME

Bhavnagar

Chorasi

Dhandhuka

Ghogha

Hansot

Jalalpor

Jambusar

Olpad

Talaja

Umbergaon

Vagra

Valsad

Gandevi

Jafrabad

Khambhat

Kodinar

Mahuva

Rajula

Una

TOTAL

Acac

ia q

uricu

late

phor

mis

6.

6

141

38

8.4

53

6.00

Acac

ia ca

tech

u

0.3

5.5

46.5

18

9.8

3.83

0.37

0.

464.

50.

632.

925

4.79

Acac

ia fe

rnes

iana

1.

12

0.46

15.3

80.

634.

0321

.62

Acac

ia fe

rrugi

nea

1.

6

0.

7

7.16

0.06

0.

115.

670.

145.

921

.34

Acac

ia le

ucop

hloe

a

2.

591.

37

0.57

1.

36.

111

.93

Acac

ia n

ilotic

a27

.223

7.2

2097

.325

.476

.629

.425

8.2

90.6

42.3

103.

833

59.

8820

.99

17.9

414

.48

24.9

714

.117

.54

1462

.9

Acac

ia se

nega

l17

1.1

75.8

42.5

5.

3

1.

12

0.92

4.15

0.14

40.4

334

1.46

Achr

as sa

pota

1.

18

0.57

1.64

0.92

4.6

8.91

Adan

soni

a di

gita

ta

0.7

10

.8

11.5

0

Aegl

e mar

melo

s

1.

814

.1

0.

371.

06

1.26

1.

1110

29.7

0

Aila

nthu

s exc

elsa

0.7

1.

360.

750.

98

1.17

0.77

6.1

11.8

3

Alan

gium

salvi

foliu

m

1

0.

4

0.

31

0.34

0.

1920

.27

22.5

1

Anac

ardi

um o

ccid

enta

le

25.7

25

.70

Anno

na re

ticul

ata

4.22

4.22

Anno

na sq

uam

osa

0.

56

0.46

0.06

0.97

8.27

10.3

2

Anog

eissu

s lati

folia

0.

5

2.

220.

93

1.03

3.63

0.19

26.8

335

.33

Anog

eissu

s pen

dula

0.

3

1.

230.

43

0.

120.

4820

.83

23.3

9

Anth

ocep

halu

s ind

icus

0.25

1.06

0.

460.

120.

296.

778.

95

Avice

nnia

mar

ina

0.

50.

78

0.53

6.

28.

01

Azad

irach

ta in

dica

6.6

24.2

1.2

13.1

11.5

2.9

21.8

10.2

14.6

181.

651

.335

.816

.05

11.0

615

.210

.57

13.8

8.26

33.7

348

3.47

Bala

nite

s aeg

yptic

a33

34

.913

.9

8.

7

28.4

3.

330.

93

0.46

10.3

51.

541

.97

177.

44

Bam

busa

bam

bos

37

.716

.118

5.1

0.37

0.99

2.

412.

161.

8414

.926

1.57

Barle

ria p

rioni

tis

1.6

4.3

15.8

21

.70


Flora-Fauna Status

SPEC

IES N

AME

Bhavnagar

Chorasi

Dhandhuka

Ghogha

Hansot

Jalalpor

Jambusar

Olpad

Talaja

Umbergaon

Vagra

Valsad

Gandevi

Jafrabad

Khambhat

Kodinar

Mahuva

Rajula

Una

TOTAL

Bauh

inia

pur

pure

a

18.9

0.25

0.75

0.

112.

810.

9720

.444

.19

Bom

bax c

eiba

15

.51.

48

1.

151.

290.

4812

.03

31.9

3

Bora

ssus

flab

ellife

r

67.8

0.

3

1.5

0.

065.

392.

53

0.72

10.3

388

.63

Bosw

ellia

serra

ta

0.8

1.98

1.68

1.

953.

220.

480.

9711

.08

Brey

nia

retu

sa

1.

361.

55

1.49

0.

825.

4710

.69

Brid

ellia

retu

sa

0.

491.

18

1.15

1.

2111

.37

15.4

Bute

a m

onos

perm

a

37.8

66.4

17

.41

2.73

6.

5515

.25.

9946

.919

8.98

Cada

ba in

dica

4.44

1.3

2.

76

1.01

11.9

21.4

1

Caes

alpi

nia

pulch

errim

a

9.5

11

16.1

118.

92.

96

3.92

1.

87

31.0

719

5.32

Calo

tropi

s gig

antia

6.6

0.5

0.

573.

570.

24

11.4

8

Calo

tropi

s pro

cera

0.7

10.6

11.2

10.5

0.

7

7.3

12.4

84.1

58

.16.

911.

5522

.65

16

.84

0.87

30.6

727

5.09

Capp

aris

decid

ua5.

15.

810

5.2

7.6

29

.8

4.69

0.87

2.

533.

11.

1610

.87

86.7

2

Capp

aris

sepi

aria

5.1

5.8

1.

3

34.3

4.4

7.

586

13.7

1.

730.

62

0.34

3.8

0.1

10.3

317

5.02

Caris

sa co

nges

ta

1

0.5

5.

8

49.3

0.

81

0.34

2.75

0.39

6.7

67.5

9

Cass

ia a

uricu

lata

5.1

104.

5

62.1

4.

42.

229

.265

.7

6.

16.

915.

844.

517.

0145

.79

3.29

53.3

405.

95

Cass

ia fi

stula

0.

3

2.

840.

31

0.8

1.05

0.82

20.7

326

.85

Casu

arin

a eq

uise

tifol

ia58

20

4.4

73

.429

.593

.9

0.

41

27

9.61

Ceib

a pe

ntan

dra

0.

48

0.48

Cerio

ps ta

gal

1.27

1.27

Cler

oden

drum

mul

tiflor

um

14.5

6.5

5.

930.

813.

921.

155.

32

31.1

69.2

3

Cocu

s nuc

ifera

32

.1

88.3

1.

613.

923.

10.

581.

4522

.03

153.

09


Flora-Fauna Status

SPEC

IES N

AME

Bhavnagar

Chorasi

Dhandhuka

Ghogha

Hansot

Jalalpor

Jambusar

Olpad

Talaja

Umbergaon

Vagra

Valsad

Gandevi

Jafrabad

Khambhat

Kodinar

Mahuva

Rajula

Una

TOTAL

Com

mip

hora

wig

htii

0.

5

0.

860.

12

0.11

0.18

0.14

11.7

313

.64

Cord

ia d

ichot

oma

20.2

720

.27

Cord

ia g

hara

f

5

1.5

4.4

1.5

2.8

40.8

2.22

1.68

5.69

0.57

5.09

22

.894

.05

Cord

ia m

yxa

0.

7

50.7

51

.40

Dalb

ergi

a sis

soo

49

.33.

58

0.

110.

29

10.6

63.8

8

Delo

nix e

lata

8.7

1.18

0.

230.

820.

7716

.428

.10

Dend

roca

lam

us st

rictu

s

0.25

0.

14

0.39

Derri

s ind

ica6.

610

.61.

21.

8

10

.9

2.5

126.

5

91.9

11.1

12.

8614

.86.

786.

673.

778.

5730

6.56

Dich

rosta

chys

cine

ria

6.

2

50.3

356

.53

Dios

pyro

s mela

noxy

lon

48

.1

0.7

2.47

5.

61

32.5

389

.41

Dura

nta

repe

ns

80.8

20

.9

101.

70

Ehre

tia a

sper

a

15

.815

.80

Embl

ica o

fficin

alis

26.9

0.

25

2.35

4.

390.

1930

.83

64.9

1

Eryt

hrin

a in

dica

1.36

1.74

1.

61

1.35

10.5

316

.59

Euca

lyptu

s glo

bulu

s

5.

311

6.6

17

.6

0.37

0.2

1.

170.

2922

.116

3.63

Euph

orbi

a ne

riifo

lia

9.7

2.

1

33.2

38

.511

.48

0.81

5.1

2.64

15.5

2.42

54.7

176.

15

Euph

orbi

a tir

ucal

li

7.

281.

370.

784.

022.

511.

444

.261

.56

Ficus

ben

ghal

ensis

3.

41.

2

0.4

62.5

6.

16.

05

5.78

1.

580.

1947

.97

135.

17

Ficus

dru

pace

a

0.3

0.7

1.00

Ficus

race

mos

a

1.8

0.7

56

7.4

4.02

2.

980.

1931

.310

4.39

Ficus

relig

iosa

4.94

2.

84

0.82

32

40.6

0

Gmeli

na a

rbor

ea

30.8

18.9

3.29

2.

180.

71.

310

.77

67.9

4


Flora-Fauna Status

SPEC

IES N

AME

Bhavnagar

Chorasi

Dhandhuka

Ghogha

Hansot

Jalalpor

Jambusar

Olpad

Talaja

Umbergaon

Vagra

Valsad

Gandevi

Jafrabad

Khambhat

Kodinar

Mahuva

Rajula

Una

TOTAL

Grew

ia te

nax

10

.6

0.3

9.8

1.

411

6

0.

62

6.37

30

.27

175.

36

Guaz

uma

tom

ento

sa

0.46

0.06

0.14

33.6

334

.29

Gym

nosp

oria

mon

tana

80.8

3.9

6.5

43.8

1.8

230.

991.

3

0.46

9.3

1.98

21.8

195.

63

Helic

tere

s iso

ra

3.4

3.

40

Hibi

scus

rosa

-sine

nsis

0.62

1.99

1.

26

1.45

1.33

6.65

Hola

rrhen

a an

tidys

ente

rica

3.95

2.

28

34.6

40.8

3

Hyph

aene

indi

ca

0.

41

0.

41

Jatro

pha

curc

as

19

.514

1.5

24.2

104

5.68

4.16

0.49

1.95

3.8

325

.533

3.78

Kige

lia p

inna

ta2.

9

2.

90

Kirg

aneli

a re

ticul

ata

2.

9

3.

577

.37.

613

.1

9.5

11

3.90

Lant

ana

cam

era

48.5

59

5.2

81

.7

9.

613

3.6

64

.27.

412.

5519

.71

3.22

16.1

44.

0653

.650

8.49

Laws

onia

iner

mis

45

.9

1.

70.

29

47.8

9

Leuc

aena

leuc

ocep

hala

3.7

19.7

4.

40.

411

.7

4.7

2.35

0.05

11.1

58.1

0

Mad

huca

indi

ca

2.9

0.4

28.2

6.

11.

851.

932.

250.

920.

641.

0110

.456

.60

Man

gife

ra in

dica

1.98

5.34

4.

142.

056.

1823

.03

42.7

2

Man

ilkar

a he

xand

ra

0.7

0.12

1.86

1.37

1.03

0.18

1.59

21.8

728

.72

Meli

a az

adira

chta

0.

12

0.

53

0.

65

Mim

osa

ciner

aria

14

.53.

7

14.2

8.8

51

2.96

0.31

12.5

5

6.9

0.77

11.7

127.

39

Mim

usop

s elen

gi

0.06

0.

39

0.45

Mitr

agyn

a pa

rvifo

lia

1.

23

1.

030.

180.

0529

.33

31.8

2

Mor

inga

conc

anen

sis

0.7

0.

70


Flora-Fauna Status

SPEC

IES N

AME

Bhavnagar

Chorasi

Dhandhuka

Ghogha

Hansot

Jalalpor

Jambusar

Olpad

Talaja

Umbergaon

Vagra

Valsad

Gandevi

Jafrabad

Khambhat

Kodinar

Mahuva

Rajula

Una

TOTAL

Mor

inga

olei

fera

5.

8

0.5

6.

30

Mur

raya

koen

igii

10

.8

1.

980.

62

0.46

0.

4310

.17

24.4

6

Neriu

m in

dicu

m

0.

740.

31

0.23

0.

439.

3311

.04

Opun

tia el

atior

1.

6

94.8

88

.5

0.12

2.87

0.05

18

7.94

Park

inso

nia

acul

eata

20

0.4

1.

852.

55

1.03

0.53

1.79

33.3

761

.52

Pelto

phor

um p

tero

carp

um

8.7

154.

4

75

.21.

4

1.

230.

1

106.

03

Phoe

nix s

ylves

tris

11

.6

1.5

1.

5

84.6

10

2.7

0.35

0.1

20

2.35

Pith

ecell

obiu

m d

ulce

1.1

95.8

4.

1

0.

53

10

1.53

Polya

lthia

long

ifolia

0.86

0.19

0.2

1.03

0.

1912

.83

15.3

0

Pros

opis

julifl

ora

240.

890

3.2

628.

988

.435

9.8

305.

875

0.1

628.

616

3.4

26.5

804.

593

.95.

1914

.41

23.3

314

.25

39.0

612

.27

57.8

751

60.2

8

Rhizo

phor

a m

ucro

nata

0.

49

0.49

Salva

dora

oleo

ides

47

.476

.1

226

55.4

7.6

169.

2

59

.111

.51.

61.

31.

371.

72

0.72

19.4

367

8.44

Salva

dora

per

sica

3.7

15.5

1.

6

8.

7

26.9

0.

120.

931.

960.

57

0.58

32.1

392

.69

Sant

alum

alb

um

1.5

1.

50

Sapi

ndus

laur

ifoliu

s

0.06

0.23

0.43

0.

72

Simon

datia

chin

ensis

24

.5

24

.50

Ster

culia

ure

ns

0.3

1.36

0.8

0.64

12

.615

.70

Syzy

gium

cum

ini

24

.9

19.6

0.

931.

86

2.11

0.87

50

.27

Tabe

rnim

onta

na d

ivaric

ata

5

5.

00

Taco

ma

undu

lata

6.

10.

12

13.1

319

.35

Tam

arin

dus i

ndica

4.

1

14.9

0.53

0.14

19

.67


Flora-Fauna Status

SPEC

IES N

AME

Bhavnagar

Chorasi

Dhandhuka

Ghogha

Hansot

Jalalpor

Jambusar

Olpad

Talaja

Umbergaon

Vagra

Valsad

Gandevi

Jafrabad

Khambhat

Kodinar

Mahuva

Rajula

Una

TOTAL

Tam

arix

aphy

lla

60

19.7

24

3.6

12

.2

335.

5

Tam

arix

dioi

ca

5.8

5.

8

Teco

mell

a un

dula

ta

0.

12

10.9

711

.09

Tect

ona

gran

dis

10

.9

151.

8

4.7

2.59

0.5

0.

340.

580.

3961

.63

233.

43

Term

inal

ia a

rjuna

0.

5

5.1

0.

461.

93

27.9

35.8

9

Term

inal

lia b

elliri

ca

0.

490.

12

0.1

34.1

334

.84

Thes

pesia

lam

pas

0.

06

0.1

0.

16

Vite

x neg

undo

1.4

29

20.9

1.11

1.93

4.9

0.

290.

8236

.897

.15

Wrig

htia

tinct

oria

0.

3

0.

742

.3

58.8

2.16

24

.312

8.56

Zizyp

hus j

ujub

a36

57.1

13.7

143.

48.

134

.350

.27.

315

5.2

68.9

37.6

107.

49.

5112

.48

10.2

98.

6229

.65

7.87

66.1

863.

72

Zizyp

hus m

auriti

ana

0.

232.

630.

2936

.83

39.9

8

Zizyp

hus x

ylopy

ra

5.8

64

.2

5.8

5.

814

560

.1

0.

12

30.3

317.

12

TOTA

L DEN

SITY/

TALU

KA73

7.8

1693

.885

3.3

588.

565

0.5

1006

.899

8.6

1432

.573

1.8

2428

.914

99.8

2597

.621

7.02

136.

5520

7.03

130.

5538

6.34

114.

7219

25

Woodfordia fruticosa (L.) Kurz.

Mitragyna parvifolia (Roxb.) Korth. (Kalam, Kadamb)

Capparis grandis L. f. (Thikari, Dumro)

Eragrostis Sp.

Erythrina indica Lam. (Pangaro, Pangara)


Flora-Fauna Status

The summary of species richness, diversity and density of woody plants for all the

surveyed talukas is presented in Table 3.6. The same is also presented in Fig. 3.1

Table 3.6: Summary of Floral Characteristics of all 19 Talukas covered during entire study

Sample Area

Type

Taluka No. of Species Woody

Species

Diversity

(H’)

Woody

Plant

Density

(Plants/

ha)

Woody Herba-

ceous

Climbers Total

Coastal

Areas*

Hansot 1 9 1 11 0 5400

Jambusar 1 1 0 2 0 6440

Vagra 3 3 1 7 0.92 7720

Talaja 1 1 0 2 0 683

Jalalpor 6 21 5 32 1.26 1104

Chorasi 7 15 3 25 1.05 3757

Olpad 1 3 1 5 0 6092

Umbergaon 1 12 1 14 0 1054

Terrestrial*

Dhandhuka 14 22 3 39 1.12 853

Hansot 8 44 12 64 1.07 650

Jambusar 19 49 14 82 1.19 999

Vagra 16 38 10 64 1.53 2997

Bhavnagar 18 80 4 102 2.11 738

Ghogha 38 68 15 121 2.27 588

Talaja 34 66 19 119 2.39 732

Jalalpor 32 63 13 108 2.00 1528

Chorasi 24 58 10 92 1.82 1694

Olpad 15 36 10 61 1.62 1432

Umbergaon 40 82 6 128 3.08 1577

Valsad 45 98 12 155 3.10 2597

Terrestrial /

Coastal

Gandevi 66 100 14 180 3.64 217

Jafrabad 71 91 19 181 3.47 137

Khambhat 35 109 21 165 3.02 207

Kodinar 61 104 19 184 3.42 131

Mahuva 77 126 18 221 3.42 386

Rajula 79 92 19 190 3.51 115

Una 85 129 17 231 3.78 171

* The species record in coastal areas is from the sample areas. However, in case of terrestrial

areas, the species records also include those species which were found outside sample areas.

The woody species diversity and density are estimated based on sampling areas.


Flora-Fauna Status

Fig. 3.4. Graph showing density of woody plant species in terrestrial/coastal habitat.

IUCN Red List of Threatened species menti oned

Commiphora wighti i as data defi cient Dalbergia

lati folia as VU (vulnerable) and Hyphane indica is

also classifi ed VU. These species were analysed in

1998 by IUCN and these species are present in the

state. These species were reported during the fi eld

survey.

Hyphane indica or “Ravan Tad” is branched palm,

which belongs to coastal areas of Saurashtra and

South Gujarat. It shows higher regenerati on in and

around Una and Diu in Saurashtra, and central as well

South Gujarat. It was introduced in Central Gujarat,

where it shows natural regenerati on at few places.

IUCN has assessed it as Vulnerable in 1998.

Of late, Dalbergia lati folia is also considered in VU

category which needs to be conserved.

The IUCN Red List Categories (IUCN 2001)

Commiphora wighti i

(Arn.) Bhandari


Flora-Fauna Status

Many of the coastal talukas of Gujarat shows presence of diverse mangrove species.

During the present study Mangrove species were reported from different talukas as

presented below;

Sr. No. Species name Name of talukas having species

1 Acanthus illifolius Umargaon, Jalalpore, Valsad, Gandevi,

Chorasi, Olpad2 Avicennia marina Umargaon, Jalalpore, Jafrabad, Gandevi,

Ghogha, Mahuva, Talaja, Kodinar, Chorasi,

Olpad 3 Avicennia officinalis Umargaon, Valsad, Hansot4 Aegiceras corniculatum Umargaon, Valsad5 Bruguiera cylindrica Umargaon,Jalalpore, Gandevi6 Ceriops tagal Umargaon, Jalalpore, Gandevi7 Excoecaria agallocha Umargaon8 Sonneratia apetala Umargaon, Valsad, Jalalpore, Gandevi, Olpad9 Rhizophora mucronata Jalalpore, Gandevi, Umargaon

10 Ceriops decandra Umargaon11 Kandelia candel Valsad12 Bruguiera gymnorhiza Jalalpore, Gandevi

Source: Mangrove Atlas, Gujarat Ecology Commission as well as on field study for selected talukas.

MangrovesofGujaratCoast

Mangroves: One of the most important plant communities situated throughout the

coastal region. They are found only in the tropical and subtropical regions. Mangroves

are trees or shrubs, often clustered together. Trees can grow to a height of 25 metres.

Large groups of mangroves and other plants found here are called mangrove swamps,

mangrove forests or mangals.

Mangrove forests are among the most productive ecosystems on land. They are natural

marvels not only due to their adaptations, but also for the important role they play in our

environment. In India, there are 34 species of true mangroves. Bhitarkanika (Orissa) has

31 species, the Sundarbans have 27 and the Andaman & Nicobar islands have 24 species

of mangroves. As compared to the above mentioned status, in Gujarat, total 14 species

of mangroves have been recorded. Total 12 species are recorded from 19 talukas of the

Gulf of Khambhat during the field survey and other secondary data source.


Flora-Fauna Status

Sr. No. Species name IUCN categories

1 Acanthus illicifolius LC

2 Avicennia marina LC

3 Avicennia officinalis LC

4 Aegiceras corniculatum LC

5 Bruguiera cylindrica LC

6 Ceriops tagal LC

7 Excoecaria agallocha LC

8 Sonneratia apetala LC

9 Rhizophora mucronata LC

10 Ceriops decandra Near threatened

11 Kandelia candel LC

12 Bruguiera gymnorhiza LC

*LC: Least concern

Threatstomangroves:

The increasing human population is exerting tremendous stress on the mangroves, with

land reclamations and discharge of waste causing their degradation.

Shrimp farming is a major reason for t\he destruction of mangroves. These forests are

the natural habitat of shrimps. Large areas of mangroves are cleared to create artificial

ponds for shrimps. This has also led to the loss of habitat for other fish.

Rising temperature and rising seas: Rising sea levels due to climate change and the

consequent rising temperatures pose a grave threat to mangroves. Large areas of coastal

mangroves could be lost if sea levels continue to rise due to the expansions of the oceans

and melting of polar ice caps

Development activities:Developmental activities near coastal area are also a major

threat to mangroves. Building of ports and jetties is another reason for cutting down

mangroves.


Flora-Fauna Status

3.3. FaunalCharacteristics

As discussed earlier, efforts were being made to make inventories of three major groups

of fauna: the mammals, birds and reptiles. Due to logistic and manpower related issues,

the faunal inventory work was covered in two different parts whereinin first phase only

in nine talukas were covered and therefore few of the same is proposed to be repeated in

the second part of the study3. Nevertheless, later year’s sampling efforts indicated some

interesting aspects of species diversity and their distribution.

3.3.1. Mammals

Overall, 28 mammalian species were found from 19 surveyed talukas during entire study

covering attempts of both the seasons. During the survey, presence of a total of 10

mammalian species was recorded from 32 sample locations of five talukas (out of total

71 surveyed locations in nine talukas). Obviously, the sampling effort is not adequate to

derive some measures of diversity and abundance. Out of 32 sample sites covered, 22

were from Talaja and needless to say 9 out of 10 species were recorded from this taluka

(Table 3.7). In terms of species richness, Una (19 sp.) and Bhavnagar (18 sp.) showed

maximum richness followed by khambhat, Mahuva and Rajula (Fig. 3.5). Looking logically

to the mammalian species encounter rate, Bhavnagar and Khambhat represented

highest values of 0.55 while the same for Ghogha, Chorasi and Vagra can be suppressed

considering the less number of transects for the talukas compared to other talukas

(Table 3.7).

The braod context of presence and absence of different mammalian species in studied

talukas can be represented in Table 3.8. Further, Table 3.9 shows the frequency record

of different species in different talukas by local people during the interaction with local

public on field. Five stripped squirrel was the most commonly encountered species

directly during the field surveys in different talukas followed by Bluebull (Table. 3.10).

Moreover, Khambhat and Bhavnagar showed high rate of frequency of mammals as on

indirect records as represented in Table 3.11.

3 It is important to understand that inventory of bird, mammal, reptile and amphibian species is a specialist’s job. Therefore, to find out a single field researcher with sufficient experience and expertise on all above taxa is very difficult task. Project, however, did not get a any good student for the job for quite a long part of the project. This sufficiently delayed the field work. Therefore, compared to the plants, the total numbers of talukas covered for faunal inventory are less. Also, a total of 71 sample points were surveyed for faunal species records. Clearly, this is not adequate to record the faunal species diversity. Thus it needs to substantiate in the next phase of the study.


Flora-Fauna Status

Blackbuck

Leopard

Sambar

Chinkara

Nilgai

Striped Hyena


Flora-Fauna Status

Jungle Cat

Indian Wild Boar

Common Mongoose

Indian Fox

Indian Hare

Indian Gerbille


Flora-Fauna Status

Fig 3.5. Showing total no. of mammalian species recorded from different talukas during entire study.

Table3.7:Summaryofstatusofmammalianspeciesrecordin differenttalukasduringentirestudy

Taluka No.ofTransects No.ofSpecies Mammal Species

Encounter Rate(Avg.

Species per transect)

No Records

ofMammal

Records of

Mammal

Total Direct Sighting

Indirect Evidence

Total

Bhavnagar 1 32 33 12 15 18 0.55Gandevi 12 18 30 5 8 10 0.33Jafrabad 12 39 51 8 5 11 0.22Khambhat 1 28 29 10 12 16 0.55Kodinar 12 16 28 8 5 13 0.46Mahuva 7 49 56 11 10 16 0.29Rajula 19 44 63 10 7 15 0.24Una 31 56 87 15 12 19 0.22Ghogha 1 4 5 3 9 8 1.6Talaja 5 17 22 19 15 9 0.4Chorasi 0 1 1 1 0 1 1Vagra 0 3 3 2 3 3 1Jalalpor# - - - - - - -Olpad# - - - - - - -Jambusar# - - - - - - -Hansot# - - - - - - -Valsad# - - - - - - -Umergaon - - - - - - -Dhandhuka# - - - - - - -Overall 101 307 408 104 101 28 0.57# Talukas representing lack of mammalian data.


Flora-Fauna Status

Table3.8:RecordofMammalianSpeciesDuringtheSurvey

Common

Name

Bhavna

gar

Chor

asi

Gho

gha

Tala

ja

Vagr

a

Gan

devi

Jafrab

ad

Kham

bhat

Kodi

nar

Mah

uva

Raju

la

Una

Umargaon

*

Dha

ndhu

ka*

Han

sot*

Jalalpor*

Olpad

*

Valsad

*

Jambu

sar*

Bluebull x x x x x x x x x

Common Indian

Civet

x x

Indian Five

stripped Squirrel

x x x x x x x x x x

Indian Fox x x x

Common

Mongoose

x x x x x x x x x x

Common

Dolphin

Honey Badger

Indian Hare x x x x x x x x x x

Indian Porcupine x x x x

Indian Gerbille x

Indian Stripped

Hyena

x x x

Indian Wild Boar x x x x x x x

Jackal x x x x x

Jungle Cat x x x x x x

Leopard x x

Lion x x

Pale Hedgehog x

Sambar

Wolf x

Chinkara x x x x x

Common langur x x x

Spotted deer x x x x

Chowsinga x

Black buck x

TotalNo.of

Species

15 2 8 9 3 6 8 5 8 8 8 10

Totalno.of

Sample plots

33 1 5 22 3 30 51 29 28 56 63 87

*Talukas lack appropriate faunal data during the surveys.


Flora-Fauna Status

Table3.9:Frequencyofreportofmammalspeciesindifferenttalukas by local people during study period

Species Code

Bhavna

gar

Gan

devi

Jafrab

ad

Kham

bhat

Kodi

nar

Mah

uva

Raju

la

Una

Gho

gha

Tala

ja

Chor

asi

Vagr

a

Umargaon

*

Dha

ndhu

ka*

Han

sot*

Jalalpor*

Olpad

*

Valsad

*

Jambu

sar*

Tota

l

Bluebull 3 4 1 1 4 18 31

Common Indian

Civet

6 1 7

Indian Fox 1 1 2

Common

Mongoose

1 1 02 12 16

Common

Dolphin

2 2

Honey Badger 1 1 2

Indian Hare 1 1 4 1 5 1 13

Indian Porcupine 1 1 6 1 01 03 13

Indian Gerbille 1 1

Indian Stripped

Hyena

3 3 1 4 1 1 2 15

Indian Wild Boar 1 6 7

Jackal 4 7 1 1 3 16

Jungle Cat 1 1 3 1 6

Leopard 1 5 1 3 2 3 1 16

Lion 2 4 2 2 1 4 1 16

Pale Hedgehog 2 2 2 2 8

Sambar 2 2

Wolf 1 1

Overall 21 9 5 34 3 28 7 11 9 46 0 1 174



Flora-Fauna Status

Table3.10.:FrequencyofDirectSightingsofdifferentspeciesindifferentTalukas

during study period

SpeciesBh

avna

gar

Gand

evi

Jafra

bad

Kham

bhat

Kodi

nar

Mah

uva

Raju

la

Una

Ghog

ha

Tala

ja

Chor

asi

Vagr

a

Umargaon

*

Dhan

dhuk

a*

Hansot*

Jalalpor*

Olpa

d*

Valsa

d*

Jambu

sar*

Tota

l

Bluebull 12 (60)

11 (56)

16 (66)

3 (28)

20 (59)

20 (85)

8 (36)

14 (54)

71 (79)

175 (523)

Black Buck 9 (61) 9 (61)

Chital 1 (5) 4 (7) 1 (1) 12 (52)

18 (65)

Chinkara 2 (4) 1 (2) 5 (8) 4 (6) 3 (5) 15 (25)

Chowsingha 1 (1) 1 (1)

Common Indian Civet

2 (2) 1 (1) 3 (3)

Common Langur 13 (134)

2 (10)

10 (39)

25 (183)

Common Mongoose

6 (6) 7 (8) 8 (9) 7 (8) 3 (3) 15 (28)

11 (15)

8 (9) 1(5) 1(4) 67 (95)

Flying Fox 1 (2) 1 (50)

4 (9) 2(4) 7(10) 15 (75)

Indian Field Mouse

1(1) 1 (1)

Indian Five stripped Squirrel

19 (46)

12 (22)

7 (13)

18 (63)

7 (15)

19 (48)

13 (31)

14 (29)

109 (267)

Indian Fox 1 (1) 1(4) 1 (1)

Indian Hare 5 (5) 3 (3) 4 (4) 4 (4) 3(3) 5 (6) 9 (9) 4 (5) 1(1) 3(8) 41 (48)

Indian Gerbille 1 (1) 1 (1)

Indian Porcupine 1 (1) 1(1) 2 (2)

Indian Wild Boar 8 (24) 1 (1) 6 (14)

5 (16)

1 (3) 13 (20)

6 (11)

9 (28)

49 (117)

Jackal 3 (3) 1 (2) 3 (4) 1 (2) 2 (3) 10 (14)

Jungle Cat 5 (5) 1 (1) 4 (4) 3 (8) 1 (1) 12 (12)

6 (6) 7 (7) 2(2) 1(1) 42 (47)

Leopard 1 (1) 1 (1)

Asiatic Lion 1 (7) 1 (1) 0 (1) 2 (9)

Sambar 2 (2) 2 (2)

Wolf 1 (2) 1 (2)

Grand Total 70 (215)

25 (85)

43 (106)

74 (313)

22 (70)

97 (198)

72 (167)

83 (219)

18 (60)

84 (105)

2 (2) 507 (1540)

Valuesinparenthesisistotalnumberofanimalsobserved *Talukas lack appropriate faunal data during the surveys.


Flora-Fauna Status

Table3.11:Frequency(no.ofrecords)ofindirectrecordsofmammalspeciesindifferenttalukasduringentirestudy.

Species

Bhavna

gar

Gand

evi

Jafra

bad

Kham

bhat

Kodi

nar

Mah

uva

Raju

la

Una

Ghog

ha

Tala

ja

Chor

asi

Vagr

a

Umargaon

*

Dhan

dhuk

a*

Hansot*

Jalalpor*

Olpad

*

Valsa

d*

Jambu

sar*

Tota

l

Bluebull 14 3 13 3 9 3 5 4 10 64

Blackbuck 1 1

Chital 1 1

Chowsingha 6 1 1 8

Common Dolphin

2 2

Common Langur 1 1 2

Common Mongoose

1 1 1 2 5

Indian Field Mouse

1 1

Indian Fox 1 1 2

Indian Gerbille 4 3 7

Indian Hare 5 6 1 12

Flying Fox 1 1 2

Indian Five Stripped Squirrel

2 2 1 5

Indian Porcupine 4 6 7 3 2 1 23

Indian Stripped Hyena

7 2 4 7 4 5 1 3 2 35

Indian Wild Boar 1 6 7

Jackal 5 2 1 16 1 1 2 1 1 3 33

Jungle Cat 1 1 4 2 8

Leopard 1 5 2 1 4 2 5 20

Asiatic Lion 2 5 3 10 2 9 3 34

Pale Hedgehog 2 2 2 2 8

Sambar 2 2

Wolf 2 2

Overall 51 15 15 65 12 48 13 33 9 18 3 282



Flora-Fauna Status

NILGAI (Boselaphus tragocamelus)

During the entire Phase of study, it was observed that blue bulls (Boselaphus tragocamelus)

were frequent in most of the talukas. Moreover, during the surveys, most of the local

people especially the farmers complained about the nuisance and crop raiding by the

Nilgai and problem of their increasing population. Above image shows a standing crop

being raided by the herd of Bluebulls.

InterestingFacts:

• Nilgai is a sturdy species which is represented by a stocky body. The distribution

of the Nilgai was mainly to the peninsular India which is expanding day by day.

The species is well adapted to diverse habitat conditions and thus successfully

expanding their distribution in the state as well as country.

• The Nilgai is mainly diurnal, with peaks in activity in the early morning and late

afternoon. The sense of sight is well developed among this wary species. When

chased, Nilgai can run up to 48 kmph / 29 mph. Being territorial, the species many a

times marks its territory by their dumping their excretory pellets at particular place.

• The current population of Nilgai in the state is 1 lakh, of which 10,000 are located

in 90 villages in Ahmedabad and 30 villages in Gandhinagar. The existing population

of Nilgai has been one of the issues for State’s farmers. The herds of Bluebulls have

been raiding the standing crops of the farmers causing them a great damage to

their yield in one night itself. Even the fencing and electrifying the farm boundary

has failed against the invasion of this feral and sturdy animal. The Gujarat state

government decided to give licences to the Sarpanchs after the terror of Bluebulls

reached menacing proportions.


Flora-Fauna Status

Some of the interesti ng and ground level facts came forward during the fi eld surveys

and interacti ons with the local public. Interacti on with local people revealed interesti ng

informati on about the past status of the animals in the area and the present scenario as

per their view being in direct touch with the habitat. Bluebull has covered most of the

area in Gujarat and increasing in populati on taking benefi t of their adapti veness. In most

of the surveys, local people (especially farmers) complained about the nuisance of the

animal being damaging their standing crops.

Secondly, important sighti ng of Asiati c lions in few of the talukas suggests range extension

and dispersal of Asiati c lions beyond Gir Nati onal Park and Sanctuary. The same in brief

has been given in the following box.

MAMMALIAN HIGHLIGHTSIncaseofmammals,atotalof28specieswererecordedduringentirestudy

from19talukas.Thehighestdiversity(basedondirectandindirectevidences)

wasreportedfromUnaandBhavnagartalukas.


Flora-Fauna Status

IDENTIFIED THREATS TO THE FAUNA

Industrial developments coupled with infrastructure development with anthropogenic

activities have been indirectly creating negative impacts on the adjacent biodiversity.

Though inevitable, there is pressing serious need to conserve the biota along with

development to make them go hand in hand. During the visit, few of the serious

anthropogenic effects were seen on the fauna.

Mining – Mining has been a serious issue which was seen in certain talukas. The mining

directly alters the prevailing habitat and results in different type of pollutions like air,

noise and particulate matter pollution. The habitat destructions results in direct loss or

migration of the faunal group. Moreover, resultant transportation activity and the human

interventions disturb the existing natural ecosystem as well as the animal movement.

Increasing traffic/ road network: Road network has been one of the important components

of development. The increasing road network has consequently fragmented the natural

habitats at macro and micro level. For e.g. even the bisecting of agriculture fields by

roads has been disturbing the living biota due to disturbance.

Road accidents during the transit of animals have been a serious issue. Many cases of

road accidents were reported during the study which includes mammalian, reptilian and

amphibian accidents.

Dead Indian mud turtle on road Dead Unidentified snake species on road


Flora-Fauna Status

Asiaticlion(Panthera leo persica)

Interestingly, Asiatic lion has been reported in six talukas (Bhavnagar, Jafrabad, Kodinar,

Mahuva, Rajula and Una) during the surveys (based on both direct and indirect evidences).

This evidences the increasing population of Asiatic lion and their spread beyond their

previous home range.

UpdatesofAsiaticlion(Panthera leo persica)populationinrecentpast:

The table shows the population status from 1963 to the year 2010. The constant increase

in the lion population with a steep linen from 177 to 411 lions in the year 2010 evidences

the very good health of the ecosystem.

DetailsofApr-2010Census

AreawiseDistributionAREA Male Female Cubs Total

Gir National Park & adjoining 59 121 117 297Girnar Sanctuary 7 11 6 24Mityala Sanctuary 2 3 2 7Paniya Sanctuary 3 6 0 9Coastal areas

(Una, Kodinar, Sutrapada, and Chhara)

9 6 6 21

Savarkundla, Liliya and adjoining areas

of Amreli and Bhavnagar

17 15 21 53

T O T A L 97 162 152 411


Flora-Fauna Status

Detailsof2005CensusAREA Male Female Sub-

Adult

Cubs Total

Gir National Park 68 100 61 62 291Girnar 5 5 5 2 17Una, Kodinar, Sutrapada, Sea side 7 7 12Mityala, Savarkundla, Liliya &

Bhavnagar Dist.

9 14 6 10 39

T O T A L 89 124 72 74 359359 does not include 11 animals in Devaliya Park

The comparison of the 5 years data (as per above two tables) depicts the spread of lion

population in the National Park and Sanctuary area as well as their range extension to

the coastal areas of Saurashtra which was also reported during the present study visits.

Source: www.asiaticlion.org

Asiatic Lion


Flora-Fauna Status

3.3.2. Birds

Overall, 215 bird species were recorded from 19 talukas surveyed. During the survey, a total of 157 bird species were recorded in 71 sample locations across 9 talukas. A checklist of bird species recorded during the survey is presented in Annexure 3.2. In terms of bird species diversity, with the record of 145 and 144 species, the Rajula and Jafrabad are the two richest talukas, respectively (Fig. 3.6). However, the sampling effort varies across talukas and to remove the effect of this, average number of species encountered in per unit sampling effort was also measured. Thus, Jalalpor recorded 83 species in just four sample points i.e. an average of 20.8 species per sample point (Table 3.12). On the contrary, from 26 sample points in Talaja, 125 species were recorded with an average of 4.8 species per sample point. In above context, therefore, talukas like Jalalpor, Umergaon, Ghogha and Olpad, are supporting relatively rich bird diversity. During second season of the study, Kodinar and Bhavnagar showed highest species encounter rate (Table 3.12). Fig. 3.6. shows the graphical presentation of number of

avian species recorded from different talukas during the surveys.

Table3.12:Talukawisebirdspeciesrichness&encounterrateduringentirestudy.

Taluka No.ofPoints

Surveyed/Transects

Total Bird Species

Recorded

Species Encounter Rate

(Species per sample point)Chorasi 7 78 11.1Ghogha 5 62 12.4Jalalpor 4 83 20.8Olpad 7 83 11.9Talaja 26 125 4.8Umergaon 6 87 14.5Vagra 5 44 8.8Valsad 10 108 10.8Bhavnagar* 33 129 3.91Gandevi* 30 85 2.83Jafrabad* 51 144 2.82Khambhat* 29 97 3.34Kodinar* 28 121 4.32Mahuva* 56 138 2.46Rajula* 63 145 2.30Una* 87 141 1.62Hansot# - - -

Jambusar# - - -Dhandhuka# - - -Overall 447 1670 7.41

*Talukas with transect surveys#Talukas which lack in avifaunal data


Flora-Fauna Status

Fig. 3.6. Showing diversity of bird species in diff erent talukas.

GLIMPSE TO AVIFAUNAL STATUS

Overall 215 bird species were recorded from 19 talukas surveyed during Phase I and II respecti vely. Rajula and Jafrabad talukas emerged as the richest talukas in terms of avifauna. In terms of migratory birds, Khambhat and Bhavnagar showed good congregati on of waders in shallow coastal waters and saltpans respecti vely.

Moreover, a good diversity of larks was evident in Bhavnagar talukas and the Bhal area. Most of the ti me eff ort was made to survey the birds in early morning and in migratory season.

In terms of frequency of record of species in each taluka, it was found that, only two

species, the Green Bee-eater and Rock pigeon were recorded from all the nine talukas.

On the contrary, there were 49 species which were recorded only in one or two talukas.

The frequency of record of species in each sample locati on suggested that only three

species viz Black Drongo, Green Bee-eater and Red Vented Bulbul, were found in more

than 50% of total sample points (Table 13). On the other hand, 116 species were recorded

from less than 5% of the total sample points.


Flora-Fauna Status

Indian Peafawl

White-rumped Vulture

Asian Paradise Flycatcher

Oriental Honey Buzzard

Grey Francolin

Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse


Flora-Fauna Status

Sarus Crane

Painted Stork

Black-tailed Godwit

Asian Openbill

Gull

White-throated Kingfisher


Flora-Fauna Status

Table3.13:Frequency(%)ofBirdSpeciesRecordDuringtheSurvey

Frequency Class No.ofBirdSpecies<5% 1165 to 10 7410 to 15 1115 to 20 10>20 4Total 215

Although population count was not attempted systematically during the survey, based

on direct sightings, the number of individuals of each species in each sample point was

recorded and later grouped into four population classes. The population class wise

record of species in each Taluka is presented in Annexure 3.2. Obviously, more number of

species was recorded in small population, yet in taluka like Talaja and Umergaon, Vagra

and Ghogha, many species were recorded in large population (Table 3.14).

Table3.14:Numberofspeciesindifferentpopulationsizeclassrecordedduringthesurvey

Population

Class Chora

si

Ghog

ha

Jalalp

or

Olpa

d

Talaj

a

Umerg

aon

Vagra

Valsa

d

Bhavna

gar

Gand

evi

Jafara

bad

Kham

bhat

Kodin

ar

Mahu

va

Rajul

a

Una

Jalalp

ore*

Hansot*

Jambu

sar*

A 46 23 52 49 43 41 18 48 49 33 51 28 52 41 53 61 - - -B 16 14 21 19 27 16 12 44 30 19 38 21 29 46 37 33 - - -C 11 14 9 9 23 11 6 10 28 18 26 14 22 30 30 29 - - -D 5 11 1 6 32 19 8 6 22 15 29 34 18 21 25 18 - - -Total Sps. 78 62 83 83 125 87 44 108 129 85 144 97 121 138 145 141 - - -A= 1-2 birds; B= 3 to 5 birds; C= 6 to 10 birds; D= more than 10 birds *Talukas where avifaunal data was missing.

ImportantsightingsofGypsVulturesFew of the rare sightings of vultures were there during the study period which can be the

update to the state’s vulture inventory. An important sighting of 09 Indian white rumped

vultures (Gyps bengalensis) and 03 Long billed vultures (Gyps indicus) was seen by the

study team on 08/10/2010 in Nagra village of Khambhat Taluka. The birds were seen

resting on the Borassus flabellife.

STATUS:The Indian Vulture (Gyps indicus) and the Indian White-rumped Vulture, G. bengalensis

species have suffered a 97% - 99% population decrease in Pakistan and India.


Flora-Fauna Status

Both the species have been placed under critically threatened category by IUCN.

The cause of this has been identified as poisoning caused by the veterinary drug

diclofenac.

3.3.3. Reptiles

In total, 32 reptilian species were found in from overall studied talukas. During the

survey, record of reptilian species was quite restricted mainly due to the winter period of

sampling in most of the talukas. Out of total 447 transects taken in entire study period,

only 143 transects marked presence of reptiles proving the lower encounter scenario

(32%) of reptiles as compared to mammals and birds. Nevertheless, a good record of

reptilian sighting was seen in Khambhat, Bhavanagar and Rajula talukas with high

number of reptiles species as well as good successful transect ratio (Table 3.15). Further

Fig. 3.16 represents the recorded number of different reptilian species from different

talukas wherein common garden lizard is the highest reported species while common

Indian monitor lizard showed its presence in every taluka.

Table3.15:TalukawiserecordofReptileSpecies

Total Transects

Surveyed

No.ofTransectswith

ReptileRecords

No.ofSpecies

Chorasi 7Ghogha 5 02 03Jalalpor 4 - -Olpad 7 - -Talaja 26 02 04Umergaon 6 - -Vagra 5 - -Valsad 10 - -Bhavnagar* 33 30 19Gandevi* 30 6 04Jafrabad* 51 7 07Khambhat* 29 27 19Kodinar* 28 6 04Mahuva* 56 28 17Rajula* 63 31 18Una* 87 4 08Hansot# - - -Jambusar# - - -Dhandhuka# - - -Total 447 143 103

*Talukas with transect surveys# Talukas lacking reptilian surveys.


Flora-Fauna Status

Table3.16:DistributionandRecordedNumberofReptileSpeciesindifferentTalukas

Species

Bhavna

gar

Gand

evi

Jafaraba

d

Kham

bhat

Kodi

nar

Mah

uva

Raju

la

Una

Ghog

ha

Talaj

a

Chorasi*

Vagra*

Umar

gaon

Dhan

dhuk

a*

Hansot*

Jalal

por*

Olpa

d*

Valsa

d*

Jambu

sa*

Tota

l Sps

.

Brook’s Gecko 1 1 2

Blind Snake x x x 1 1 2

Common Garden Lizard

31 4 2 13 3 20 4 3 1 1 1 83

Common Indian Bronzeback

2 2

Common Indian Krait

1 x 4 1 1 7

Common Indian Monitor

3 1 1 3 2 7 6 1 x 1 25

Checkered Keelback

1 1 4 3 7 1 x 17

Common Skink 3 2 4 1 10

Common Wolf Snake

x x 0

Dog-faced Water snake

2 2

Fan-throatd Lizard 1 1 1 1 1 5 3 1 14

Indian Pond Terrapin

2 1 2 x 5

Indian Python 4 2 6

Indian Softshell Turtle

1 3 3 2 9

John’s Earth Boa x x 3 2 5

Leschenault’s Snake-eye

1 1

Little Skink 1 1 1 3

Marsh Crocodile 1 1

Noethern House Gecko

1 4 5 2 x x 12

Russell’s Earth Boa x 1 3 4

Rock Gecko 1 1

Rat Snake 2 1 2 5 9 x x x 19

Russell’s Viper x 1 1

Indian Cobra (spactacled cobra)

2 1 x 2 4 1 1 11

Snake Skink 5 1 1 4 11

Saw Scaled Viper 2 2 x x x x 4


Flora-Fauna Status

Starred Tortoise 3 3

Trinket Snake x 2 2

Unidenti fi ed Snake

x 0

Vine Snake x 1 1

Water monitor lizard

3 1 x 4

Total Taluka 56 9 9 40 7 68 59 11 2 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 267

x = Species was recorded based on indirect evidences or local people’s report

REPTILIAN HIGHLIGHTS

In total, 32 repti lian species were found in total studied talukas during both

studies. Bhavnagar and Khambhat showed highest records of species during

the surveys. But the repti les are diffi cult to sight and are very rare to be recorded

in a short ti me frame of the visit.

During the survey, record of repti lian species was quite restricted mainly due

to the winter period of sampling in most of the talukas. The sighti ng of Indian

monitor lizard Varanus bengalensis was frequent during the road transits

suggesti ng their vulnerability to road traffi c.

Extensive eff orts were made to record the repti lian diversity of the study

areas using the available direct and indirect evidences. In salt pan area around

Velavadar of Bhavnagar Taluka, cases of snake bites specially by Russel’s viper

and Saw scaled viper were frequently heard from the local public.


Flora-Fauna Status

Saw-scaled Viper

Indian Cobra

Skink

Crocodile

Monitor Lizard

Chameleon


Flora-Fauna Status

Fig.

3.7

Map

sho

win

g di

vers

ity o

f mam

mal

s, re

ptile

s an

d bi

rds

reco

rded

dur

ing

the

stud

y.


Socio-Ecological Trend

4.1. Climate

Rainfall is the most important climatic factor that influences the ecology and thus economics of the region. During this study, average annual rainfall data between 1980 and 2002 was collated for all the 19 talukas4. The data suggest that comparatively while Valsad, Umbergaon, Gandevi and Chorasi talukas recorded higher average annual rainfall, the Vagra, Talaja, Mahuva, Ghogha, Rajula talukas recorded lower rainfall (Table 4.1, Fig. 4.1)5. As far as recent trend is concerned, it is recorded that while comparing the average annual rainfall in the decade of 1980-1990 & 1991-2002, there was decline in the average annual rainfall in 10 talukas. Kodinar, Mahuva, Jambusar and Rajula recorded high percentage decline in average annual rainfall. (Fig. 4.2 a & b).

Table4.1:RainfallPatternintheTalukas

District Taluka AverageRainfall(mm) ChangeinAvg.Rainfall

between1980-90&

1991-2002

1980-2002 1980-1990 1991-2002 mm %Ahmedabad Dhandhuka 606.8 617.2 597.3 -19.9 -3.2

Amreli Jafrabad 567.2 559.6 574.1 14.4 2.6

Amreli Rajula 549.7 605.1 498.9 -106.2 -17.5

Anand Khambhat 641.2 617.7 662.8 45.0 7.3

Bharuch Hansot 827.7 866.9 791.7 -75.2 -8.7

Bharuch Jambusar 612.6 679.0 551.7 -127.3 -18.8

Bharuch Vagra 480.1 525.8 438.2 -87.7 -16.7

Bhavnagar Bhavnagar 559.7 535.5 582.0 46.5 8.7

Bhavnagar Ghogha 534.3 502.5 563.6 61.1 12.2

Bhavnagar Mahuva 527.1 581.2 473.1 -108.1 -18.6

Bhavnagar Talaja 505.9 545.4 469.8 -75.6 -13.9

Junagadh Kodinar 777.0 874.0 688.2 -185.8 -21.3

Junagadh Una 714.3 754.7 677.2 -77.6 -10.3

Navsari Gandevi 1618.5 1731.5 1515.0 -216.5 -12.5

Navsari Jalalpore

4. SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL TRENDS

4 For Jalalpor Taluka, the data is available only from 1998 onwards.5 It is important to mention here that for meaningful analysis long term time-series rainfall data is necessary.



Surat Chorasi 1167.9 1125.0 1207.2 82.2 7.3

Surat Olpad 783.2 749.9 813.7 63.8 8.5

Valsad Umbergaon 1704.5 1640.8 1757.6 116.8 7.1

Valsad Valsad 1755.2 1657.2 1836.9 179.7 10.8

Source: State Water Data Centre, Gandhinagar

Fig.

4.1

. M

ap s

how

ing

aver

age

rain

fall

patt

ern

in d

iffer

ent t

aluk

as.





Fig.4.2a. Showing rainfall scenario in studied talukas for two decades.

Fig. 4.2b. Percnetage Change in Avg. Rainfall between 1980-90 & 1991-2002 presented

on logarithmic scale.



4.2. HumanPopulation

The human population growth indicates the trends in resource availability. In other words,

it suggests the pressure on the existing natural resources, e.g. change in per capita forest

availability. On overall basis, almost all talukas recorded an increase in the population

(Table 4.2). A few talukas, on the other hand, recorded a decline in their population. This

is just a discrepancy in the census figure mainly due to reorganization of some talukas and

to create a few new talukas (like Jalalpore). The table also presented BPL population in

each taluka. Valsad and Umbergaon talukas recorded highest percentage of BPL families

(Fig. 4.3 and 4.4). The high proportion of BPL families also indicate higher degree of

dependence on common natural resources like forests, pasturelands etc. In above two

terms (total population and BPL population), the influence of human population on local

ecology can be indicated. The population of socio-economically marginalized groups like

SC & ST is correlated with BPL families.

Table4.2:TotalandBPLPopulationineachTaluka

District Taluka Population(1991)

Population(2001)

% Increase

BPL Population

% BPL

Ahmedabad Dhandhuka 252183 134619 -46.6 9887 7.34

Amreli Jafrabad 73641 90726 23.2 10705 11.8

Amreli Rajula 160177 145558 -9.1 12794 8.79

Anand Khambhat 304012 260987 -14.2 12506 4.79

Bharuch Hansot 58141 68782 18.3 6466 9.4

Bharuch Jambusar 164262 176519 7.5 21406 12.12

Bharuch Vagra 68874 82569 19.9 6277 7.59

Bhavnagar Bhavnagar 522718 662538 26.7 8454 1.28

Bhavnagar Ghogha 74617 85623 14.7 3359 3.92

Bhavnagar Mahuva 310877 375617 20.8 11662 3.1

Bhavnagar Talaja 216789 270261 24.7 8094 3

Junagadh Kodinar 165795 198151 19.5 3490 1.76

Junagadh Una 270575 330882 22.3 17768 5.37

Navsari Gandevi 217552 240128 10.4 14780 6.15

Navsari Jalalpore - 219980 - 10575 4.81

Surat Chorasi 1730833 585560 -66.2 14691 2.51

Surat Olpad 157538 185841 18.0 11560 6.22

Valsad Umbergaon 181622 236509 30.2 46162 19.54

Valsad Valsad 329933 385159 16.7 92484

Source: Census Report 1991-2001



Fig. 4.3. Demographic presentation of year 1991 and 2001

Fig. 4.4. Percentage population change from 1991-2001 on logarithmic scale.



4.3. Landuse

Land use is based on the functional dimension of land for different human purposes or

economic activities. Thus, in a sense, the land use system of any given area is significantly

controlled by its ecology. In the present context, some of the categories of land use

which have strong ecological connotation include the forests, barren areas, pasture land,

culturable wasteland, fallow, and agriculture lands. The data about area under different

land use categories at every five year interval are collated from Revenue Department.

The data were collated from 1980-81 to 2004-05 and were analysed for the overall

change between 1980-81 and 2004-05. Following are the key indications derived from

these data sets:

(i) Forest: In general, the forest area gets declined in quite a many talukas (Table

4.3a). The maximum decline in forest area was recorded in Una taluka of Junagadh

district, where between 1980-81 and 2004-05 more than 33000 ha forest land was

converted into any other landuse. Similarly, in Jafrabad taluka of Amreli district also

recorded a decline of about 2200 ha forest lands. On the other hand, taluka like

Dhandhuka in Ahmedabad district recorded an increase of about 2600 ha in forest

area. However, due to insufficient knowledge about the causes of such decline and

increase in forest land, it is difficult to comment on these.

(ii) Barren: In cumulative terms, in the 19 talukas, the area under barren category gets

increased. However, this is mainly due to increase of about 31300 ha and 4800 ha

in barren area in two talukas viz. Una in Junagadh district and Jambusar in Bharuch

district, respectively (Table 4.3a). Contrary to this, there was a decline of about

19500 ha in Dhandhuka taluka in Ahmedabad district. Reasons for such large scale

shift need to be explored.

(iii) Pasture Land: On overall basis, the area under pasture lands declined in the 19

talukas along the Gulf of Khambhat. However, it is important to mention here

that between 1980-81 and 2004-05, in 9 talukas, there was no change in the area

designated under pasture lands. Dhandhuka and Rajula talukas, on the other hand,

recorded a decline of about 3250 ha and 1200 ha in their pasture lands, respectively

(Table 4.3a).

(iv) Culturable Waste: During the period of 1980-81 and 2004-05, the area under

culturable waste showed different trends across the talukas. Thus, for example,

while in Khambhat and Vagra talukas the area under culturable waste has increased,

the same was recorded to decline in Dhandhuka, Bhavnagar and Chorasi talukas

(Table 4.3b).



(v) Fallow: In the land use statistics, data on fallow lands is recorded in two major

categories- the current fallow and other fallow. For present purpose, the two were

summed-up and presented as total fallow. While, cumulatively, there is a decline in

the area under fallow category in 19 talukas, individually talukas behaved differently.

Thus, talukas like Rajula, Mahuva and Jambusar showed an increase in the fallow

lands, the same showed declining trend in Chorasi, Olpad, Valsad, Kodinar and

Bhavnagar talukas (Table 4.3b). The shift in area under fallow land could significantly

influence the economics as well as ecology of the area. However, it requires further

field level probing to derive better understanding of the same.

(vi) NetSownArea: The net sown area indicate the actual land area under cultivation

and thus not account for multiple crops from a single parcel of land. Effectively,

adding of this and fallow lands, actually provide the total extent of cultivable land.

During the period of 1980-81 and 2004-05, the trend in net sown area differs

across the talukas. Thus, while Dhandhuka recorded the highest decline (~73200

ha), talukas like Khambhat, Rajula & Mahuva also recorded a decline. Contrary to

above, in talukas like Bhavnagar, Kodinar, Valsad etc. the same was found increased

(Table 4.3b, Fig. 4.5). The causes for the increase in net sown area generally linked

to improved irrigation facilities, which on the other hand had many associated

ecological consequences. Only through some in-depth studies, proper assessment

can be made.

Fig. 4.5 Total area under landuse type as on 2004-05 in different talukas.



Table4.3a

:Lan

dusecha

ngesin

differen

ttalukas

Dis

tric

tTa

luka

Fore

stBa

rren

Non

-Agr

icul

ture

Past

ure

Tota

l A

rea

(200

4-05

)

Are

a Ch

ange

(1

981-

2005

)

%

Chan

ge

(198

1-20

05)

Tota

l A

rea

(200

4-05

)

Are

a Ch

ange

(1

981-

2005

)

%

Chan

ge

(198

1-20

05)

Tota

l A

rea

(200

4-05

)

Are

a Ch

ange

(1

981-

2005

)

%

Chan

ge

(198

1-20

05)

Tota

l A

rea

(200

4-05

)

Are

a Ch

ange

(1

981-

2005

)

%

Chan

ge

(198

1-20

05)

Ahm

edab

adD

hand

huka

8664

2636

43.7

333

163

-194

32-3

6.95

1002

5-2

756

-21.

5651

75-3

243

-38.

52

Am

reli

Jafr

abad

277

-224

8-8

9.03

3394

2153

173.

4931

8315

0.47

3057

00.

00

Am

reli

Raju

la10

68-1

012

-48.

6530

11-5

25-1

4.85

4506

-319

4-4

1.48

3955

-119

9-2

3.26

Ana

ndKh

ambh

at0

0-

1975

0-9

64-4

.65

1301

0-9

988

-43.

4337

6569

422

.60

Bhar

uch

Han

sot

983

-1-0

.10

694

-587

-45.

8278

6021

9538

.75

1821

-336

-15.

58

Bhar

uch

Jam

busa

r0

0-

6119

4878

393.

0731

756

2858

890

2.40

2759

-102

-3.5

7

Bhar

uch

Vagr

a57

810

0.00

580

-226

8-7

9.63

5073

250.

5019

57-1

44-6

.85

Bhav

naga

rBh

avna

gar

7669

-257

-3.2

475

472

-278

-0.3

772

6712

81.

7940

430

0.00

Bhav

naga

rG

hogh

a82

815

1.85

4858

20.

0439

4021

05.

6333

160

0.00

Bhav

naga

rM

ahuv

a26

39-1

290

-32.

8364

-511

-88.

8782

3595

1.17

1043

00

0.00

Bhav

naga

rTa

laja

2356

451.

9511

69-6

0-4

.88

7611

270.

3660

21-1

00-1

.63

Juna

gadh

Kodi

nar

2739

-28

-1.0

138

728

7.80

3255

220.

6839

850

0.00

Juna

gadh

Una

5246

-331

96-8

6.35

6403

831

328

95.7

759

1023

54.

1415

176

976

6.87

Nav

sari

Gan

devi

187

00.

0045

0010

02.

2736

9497

2.70

598

00.

00

Nav

sari

Jala

lpor

e33

60-

-19

2219

22-

4350

4350

-79

079

0-

Sura

tCh

oras

i44

40

0.00

2328

-103

1-3

0.69

5959

-206

6-2

5.74

911

-29

-3.0

9

Sura

tO

lpad

00

-13

000

0.00

3921

425

12.1

615

040

0.00

Vals

adU

mar

gam

4281

-36

-0.8

313

9036

2.66

1904

103

5.72

902

00.

00

Vals

adVa

lsad

732

172.

3822

53-3

7-1

.62

5475

911.

6968

10

0.00

Sour

ce: D

epar

tmen

t of A

gric

ultu

re, G

andh

inag

ar



Fig.

4.6

a. M

ap s

how

ing

Land

use

chan

ging

in d

iffer

ent t

aluk

as.



Table4.3b

:Lan

dusecha

ngesin

differen

ttalukas

Dis

tric

tTa

luka

Cult

urab

le W

aste

Fallo

wLan

dNetAreaSo

wn

Tota

l Are

a

(200

4-05

)

Are

a

Chan

ge

(198

1-

2005

)

% C

hang

e

(198

1-

2005

)

Tota

l Are

a

(200

4-05

)

Are

a

Chan

ge

(198

1-

2005

)

% C

hang

e

(198

1-

2005

)

Tota

l Are

a

(200

4-05

)

Are

a

Chan

ge

(198

1-

2005

)

% C

hang

e

(198

1-

2005

)

Ahm

edab

adD

hand

huka

3500

-470

7-5

7.35

3003

7-8

71-2

.82

7971

1-7

3193

-47.

87

Am

reli

Jafr

abad

172

6053

.57

2411

483

25.0

522

997

-538

-2.2

9

Am

reli

Raju

la20

50-1

237

-37.

6363

6645

5625

1.71

4377

8-1

7073

-28.

06

Ana

ndKh

ambh

at42

0038

7011

72.7

325

7377

142

.79

3922

0-3

0824

-44.

01

Bhar

uch

Han

sot

4779

-29

-0.6

015

2010

47.

3422

222

-134

6-5

.71

Bhar

uch

Jam

busa

r88

3-1

447

-62.

1025

4113

7911

8.67

6576

9-1

455

-2.1

6

Bhar

uch

Vagr

a22

593

3612

19.0

367

09-1

161

-14.

7545

653

-64

-0.1

4

Bhav

naga

rBh

avna

gar

1010

0-3

732

-26.

9828

70-2

012

-41.

2138

812

6151

18.8

3

Bhav

naga

rG

hogh

a19

7-2

92-5

9.71

872

-106

9-5

5.07

2970

211

424.

00

Bhav

naga

rM

ahuv

a28

8410

0053

.08

8679

7318

537.

6989

019

-661

2-6

.91

Bhav

naga

rTa

laja

1075

-219

-16.

9238

39-7

17-1

5.74

6490

010

241.

60

Juna

gadh

Kodi

nar

2727

00.

0043

4-2

231

-83.

7140

131

3229

8.75

Juna

gadh

Una

115

-50

-30.

3022

36-1

018

-31.

2865

745

1733

2.71

Nav

sari

Gan

devi

9595

-48

-873

-94.

7919

332

589

3.14

Nav

sari

Jala

lpor

e47

3047

30-

3636

-24

842

2484

2-

Sura

tCh

oras

i43

79-2

534

-36.

6675

74-4

274

-36.

0727

102

366

1.37

Sura

tO

lpad

9443

1843

24.2

563

42-3

304

-34.

2545

124

1035

2.35

Vals

adU

mar

gam

2074

-4-0

.19

506

492

3514

.29

2512

8-5

91-2

.30

Vals

adVa

lsad

2020

-17

2-4

663

-96.

4441

673

4572

12.3

2So

urce

: Dep

artm

ent o

f Agr

icul

ture

, Gan

dhin

agar



Fig.

4.6

b. M

ap s

how

ing

land

use

chan

ge in

diff

eren

t tal

ukas

.



4.3.1. Forest

Forest area is one of the positive indicators of health of environment of a region. Thus

information was collected on the extent of different categories of forests in each taluka.

The data was available for the period between 2000 and 2009. However, the values were

found to be same for all the years for all the categories. Thus, in the present context, no

trends were analysed. Nevertheless, it is recorded that out of 19 coastal talukas along

the Gulf of Khambhat, four talukas (viz. Khambhat, Jambusar, Chorasi and Olpad) do not

possess any forest area. On the contrary, Dhandhuka, Vagra, Umbargaon and Jalalpore

talukas support more than 3000 ha area under forest categories (Table 4.4). Importantly,

five talukas also possess vidis (grasslands) under reserved or non-reserved categories. The

talukas do not consist of any wildlife Protected Areas (viz. National Park and Sanctuaries).

Table4.4:Extent(Ha.)ofForestAreasandVidisinTalukascoveredduringstudy.

Taluka Forest Area Vidi Area Area

under PATotal Reserved Protected Unclassi-

fied

Reserved Non-

reserved

Dhandhuka 8663.68 1004.16 0 7659.52 0 0 0

Khambhat* 0 0 139.82 0 0 0

Rajula 567.14 564.04 0 3.10 0 0 0

Jafrabad 277.25 177.25 0 100.00 0 0 0

Hansot 983.5 651.6 0 331.9 0 0 0

Vagra 5780.63 5780.63 0 0 0 0 0

Jambusar 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Bhavnagar 2435.22 1496.2 0 939.02 195.22 29.69 0

Mahuva 2638.45 2626.31 0 12.14 1786.46 400.86 0

Talaja 2355.73 2003.47 0 352.26 563.18 300.36 0

Ghogha 827.94 582.66 0 245.28 447.61 306.26 0

Una 1185.77 392-03 498-29 295-45 0 234.83 0

Kodinar 2735.98 2135-01 0 600-97 0 0 0

Jalalpore 3233.37 0 0 3233.37 0 0 0

Gandevi 167.52 167.52 0 0 0 0 0

Chorasi 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Olpad 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Valsad 712.27 712.27 0 0 0 0 0

Umbargaon 4280.58 2421.44 1859.14 0 0 0 0

Source: State Forest Dept., Division level office.



4.4. AgricultureandIrrigation

The data on cropping pattern and area under irrigation by different sources have been

collected for the period between 1990-91 and 2004-05. Area under four major crop

groups viz. Cereals, pulses, oilseeds & cash crops, were analysed to record their trends at

taluka level.

Accordingly, 13 talukas recorded a decline in the average area under cereal crops

between periods of 15 years (i.e. 1990-91 to 2004-05). Maximum decline was recorded

in Bhavnagar (69%), Mahuva (66%) and Dhandhuka (51%) talukas. On the contrary, Olpad

and Kodinar talukas recorded an increase of more than 30% in the area under cereal

crops (Table 4.5) In case of pulses, however, while 10 talukas recorded a declining trend,

other eight talukas recoded increase in the area of pulse crops. Hansot, Valsad and Vagra

recorded maximum decline in pulse crop area, while in Kodinar, Bhavnagar, Jafrabad and

Umergaon the area under pulse cultivation was increased by more than 100% (Table 4.5).

Similarly, the trend in area under oilseed crops varies across talukas. Thus, while on one

side 10 talukas recorded a decline in its cultivation (e.g. Khambhat, Valsad, Hansot, and

Dhandhuka), the remaining seven talukas recorded an increase in their cultivation (e.g.

Una, Gandevi, Bhavnagar). Interestingly, while there was an overall decline in area under

cereal, pulses and oilseed crops, the cash crops (that include Cotton, tobacco, sugarcane

etc) recorded an increasing trend in almost all the talukas (except in Dhandhuka). Jafrabad,

Gogha, Olpad, Mahuva and Hansot talukas recorded a high percentage increase in cash

crop area (Table 4.5). Cummulatively, change in area under different crops is presented in

Table 4.6. Accordingly, except cash crops, all the crops showed a declining trend in the 19

talukas along the Gulf of Khambhat.



Dist

rict

Talu

kaAv

erageArea

(ha)und

er

Cere

al C

rops

%

Chan

ge

unde

r Ce

real

Cr

ops

(91-

04)

AverageArea

(ha)und

erPulse

Crop

s%

Cha

nge

unde

r Pu

lse

Crop

s (9

1-04

)

AverageArea

(ha)und

er

Oilse

ed C

rops

%

Chan

ge

unde

r Oi

lseed

Cr

ops

(91-

04)

AverageArea

(ha)und

er

Cash

Cro

ps%

Ch

ange

un

der

Cash

Cr

ops

(91-

04)

91-9

596

-00

01-0

491

-95

96-0

001

-04

91-9

596

-00

01-0

491

-95

96-0

001

-04

Ahm

edab

adDh

andh

uka

3895

041

992

1908

1-5

1.0

1091

713

407

6909

-36.

761

5667

5027

98-5

4.5

5525

965

349

3996

4-2

7.7

Amre

liJa

fraba

d79

5072

9864

20-1

9.2

202

287

620

207.

511

715

9870

1022

9-1

2.7

1506

3495

4993

231.

5

Amre

liRa

jula

1398

914

227

7457

-46.

745

750

035

9-2

1.5

4064

435

169

2740

9-3

2.6

4034

8023

6431

59.4

Anan

dKh

ambh

at65

042

7159

635

150

-46.

033

1352

2424

09-2

7.3

4123

2043

993

-75.

954

2067

2088

3663

.0

Bhar

uch

Hans

ot43

7738

9644

160.

977

6827

1110

78-8

6.1

389

173

161

-58.

793

9714

636

1665

877

.3

Bhar

uch

Jam

bush

ar12

737

1098

177

70-3

9.0

1601

614

902

1301

1-1

8.8

3161

2532

2923

-7.5

3046

133

490

3744

522

.9

Bhar

uch

Vagr

a11

293

9329

8354

-26.

015

142

9718

6402

-57.

729

516

020

9-2

9.2

1751

224

321

2796

159

.7

Bhav

naga

rBh

avna

gar

2284

717

863

7052

-69.

111

350

336

121

8.9

7926

7930

1014

528

.037

6365

2565

8374

.9

Bhav

naga

rGo

gha

1269

412

224

6581

-48.

230

536

241

536

.214

391

1258

416

632

15.6

2835

4667

8344

194.

3

Bhav

naga

rM

ahuv

a42

413

3189

114

483

-65.

919

7722

4420

151.

950

613

4296

459

459

17.5

1264

025

796

2258

878

.7

Bhav

naga

rTa

laja

3100

925

346

1573

0-4

9.3

886

1807

1754

97.8

3229

222

120

3434

56.

420

568

2834

924

510

19.2

Juna

gadh

Kodi

nar

1230

114

920

1623

532

.043

080

614

7624

3.6

2279

619

609

2135

1-6

.364

7179

8468

205.

4

Juna

gadh

Una

2399

721

856

1485

5-3

8.1

963

1162

1194

24.0

3220

030

763

4383

036

.191

0713

802

1505

565

.3

Navs

ari

Gand

evi

8204

8057

8130

-0.9

764

698

596

-22.

063

105

8432

.194

4412

816

1351

543

.1

Navs

ari

Jala

lpor

--

1100

7-

--

1980

--

-29

--

-86

94-

Sura

tCh

orya

si54

3440

4059

309.

121

9211

2289

3-5

9.3

130

4271

-45.

512

384

1079

612

687

2.5

Sura

tOl

pad

1266

210

959

1663

731

.459

5733

3634

38-4

2.3

414

154

84-7

9.7

1886

024

405

3542

087

.8

Valsa

dUm

arga

m10

279

1099

211

092

7.9

988

797

2061

108.

514

1414

2.9

2351

3598

3874

64.8

Valsa

dVa

lsad

1262

712

010

1171

7-7

.227

0712

1391

4-6

6.2

3836

13-6

6.8

1358

516

473

1903

840

.1

TOTA

L34

8806

3294

7622

8097

7109

760

800

4788

522

7358

1930

1823

0778

2355

9731

1243

3194

15

Table4.5:Cha

ngeinareaun

derdifferen

tcrop

typ

esacrosstalukas

Sour

ce:

Dep

artm

ent o

f Agr

icul

ture

, Gan

dhin

agar



Table4.6:PercentageChangeinAreaUnderDifferentCrops(1991-2004)

Group Crop % Change Group Crop % ChangeCereal Paddy -20.2 Pulses Gram -36.4

Wheat -47.0 Green Gram 50.7Jowar -84.4 Math 33.1Bajra -48.0 Val -48.8Maize -85.6 Tur -58.3

Cash Sugarcane 33.3 Black gram 3.6Fruits 5.3 Oilseeds Groundnut -13.1Vegetables 28.4 Sesamum -53.9Cotton -1.0 Mustard -68.4Tobacco 32.7 Castor -38.0

Source : Department of Agriculture, Gandhinagar

Wheat

Sugarcane

Jowar

Tobacco



Fig.

4.7

. Map

sho

win

g ar

ea u

nder

cro

p pr

oduc

tion

chan

ges

in %

bet

wee

n 19

94 a

nd 2

004.



The data were also analysed for trends in specific crops under each group separately for

each taluka (Table 4.7a & 4.7b). Thus, while area under paddy was increased in Chorasi and

Hansot talukas, Una recorded an increase in area under wheat by about 20%. Interestingly,

the Bajri crop was found increased in all the four coastal talukas of Bhavnagar District

(Table 4.7a). Pulse crop like Math was found increased in Jafrabad and Rajula talukas of

Amreli district and Ghogha and Talaja taluka of Bhavnagar district. The decline in Val was

prominent in Umargaon and Valsad talukas of Valsad district. Similarly, cropping pattern

for oilseeds and cash crop varies across the talukas (Table 4.7b).

Fig. 4.7. represents the percentage change in crop production in consequrtive years while

the Fig. 4.8 a, band c shows the different type of crop production observed in 1991- 2004.

Though no proper trend was seen in the cropping pattern.



Table4.7a

:Taluk

awisePe

rcen

tage

Cha

ngeinCerea

land

PulseCropsbetwee

n19

91and

200

4

Dis

tric

tTa

luka

Cere

als

Puls

es

Padd

yW

heat

Jowar

Bajr

iMaize

Gra

mG

reen

Gra

m

Mat

hVa

lTu

rBl

ack

Gra

m

Ahm

edab

adD

hand

huka

-0.0

78.

600.

00-8

.40

-0.1

20.

4-0

.2-0

.20.

00.

10.

0

Am

reli

Jafr

abad

0.00

-0.0

98.

40-8

.21

-0.1

0-7

.514

.310

.20.

04.

5-2

1.5

Am

reli

Raju

la-0

.01

-3.3

3-5

.33

9.95

-1.2

85.

4-8

.311

.90.

00.

1-9

.0

Ana

ndKh

ambh

at-1

0.23

-2.6

90.

0012

.91

0.01

37.5

1.9

0.7

-0.4

-39.

4-0

.3

Bhav

naga

rBh

avna

gar

0.00

3.74

-65.

0961

.29

0.06

4.5

-9.8

-17.

50.

02.

920

.0

Bhav

naga

rG

ogha

-0.1

2-6

.39

-37.

8144

.32

0.00

7.0

1.4

9.8

0.0

5.0

-23.

2

Bhav

naga

rM

ahuv

a-0

.14

6.43

-17.

3012

.64

-1.6

45.

58.

7-1

.60.

07.

3-1

9.9

Bhav

naga

rTa

laja

-1.0

10.

19-1

9.46

20.4

1-0

.13

9.9

-32.

69.

6-1

.60.

014

.7

Bhar

uch

Han

sot

28.5

0-1

2.46

-15.

35-0

.77

0.08

1.0

10.1

0.2

1.6

-13.

00.

2

Bhar

uch

Jam

bush

ar-0

.20

4.46

-5.1

2-0

.43

1.29

-0.3

0.5

0.3

0.0

-0.6

0.0

Bhar

uch

Vagr

a0.

026.

72-3

.40

-3.3

1-0

.03

1.6

15.5

3.5

0.0

-20.

80.

2

Juna

gadh

Kodi

nar

-0.3

62.

38-1

.34

-0.1

3-0

.55

8.3

20.6

-0.8

-10.

14.

0-2

2.1

Juna

gadh

Una

-0.7

120

.66

-16.

75-2

.46

-0.7

48.

7-1

.2-2

.90.

018

.4-2

3.0

Nav

sari

Gan

devi

1.39

-1.8

80.

490.

000.

008.

2-1

.50.

0-8

.13.

8-2

.4

Nav

sari

Jala

lpor

--

--

--

--

--

-

Sura

tCh

orya

si41

.45

0.16

-33.

31-8

.17

-0.1

44.

15.

70.

35.

6-1

6.2

0.6

Sura

tO

lpad

10.3

3-4

.27

-3.5

0-2

.05

-0.5

10.

01.

10.

0-0

.6-0

.3-0

.2

Vals

adU

mar

gam

0.45

-0.3

6-0

.08

-0.0

20.

00-1

.1-1

.00.

0-3

4.2

14.7

21.6

Vals

adVa

lsad

0.28

-0.2

20.

000.

00-0

.06

13.1

-0.4

0.0

-41.

023

.54.

8

Sour

ce: D

epar

tmen

t of A

gric

ultu

re, G

andh

inag

ar



Fig.

4.8

a. M

ap s

how

ing

Cere

al c

rop

prod

uctio

n ch

ange

s in

% b

etw

een

1994

and

200

4.



Fig.

4.8

b. M

ap s

how

ing

Puls

es c

rop

prod

uctio

n ch

ange

s in

% b

etw

een

1994

and

200

4.



Table4.7b

:Taluk

awisePe

rcen

tage

Cha

ngeinOilsee

dan

dCa

shCropsbetwee

n19

91and

200

4

Dis

tric

tTa

luka

Oils

eeds

Ca

sh C

rops

Gro

undn

utSe

sam

umM

usta

rdCa

stor

Suga

rcan

eFr

uits

Vege

tabl

esCo

tton

Toba

cco

Ahm

edab

adD

hand

huka

-3.0

3.6

-0.7

0.0

0.0

0.0

0.1

-0.2

0.0

Am

reli

Jafr

abad

22.1

-22.

50.

00.

40.

0-3

.70.

92.

90.

0

Am

reli

Raju

la4.

0-4

.00.

00.

00.

3-9

.2-6

.215

.10.

0

Ana

ndKh

ambh

at-2

3.7

3.8

17.3

2.6

-0.7

-8.4

2.2

1.4

5.5

Bhav

naga

rBh

avna

gar

-3.5

3.4

0.0

0.0

0.0

-14.

64.

610

.00.

0

Bhav

naga

rG

ogha

3.5

-3.6

0.0

0.1

0.0

-2.7

26.3

-23.

50.

0

Bhav

naga

rM

ahuv

a2.

5-2

.60.

00.

0-0

.3-1

7.4

-8.5

26.3

0.0

Bhav

naga

rTa

laja

3.2

-2.8

0.2

-0.6

-1.3

-10.

3-0

.311

.90.

0

Bhar

uch

Han

sot

-71.

768

.40.

92.

419

.0-2

.8-0

.9-1

5.3

0.0

Bhar

uch

Jam

bush

ar0.

51.

2-0

.5-1

.20.

0-0

.1-0

.10.

9-0

.7

Bhar

uch

Vagr

a60

.73.

1-0

.2-6

3.6

0.0

-0.1

-0.1

0.1

0.0

Juna

gadh

Kodi

nar

0.6

-1.7

0.0

1.1

-42.

710

.88.

223

.60.

0

Juna

gadh

Una

1.8

-1.9

0.0

0.1

-16.

74.

26.

36.

20.

0

Nav

sari

Gan

devi

-33.

4-7

.933

.97.

4-0

.40.

7-0

.40.

00.

0

Nav

sari

Jala

lpor

Sura

tCh

orya

si50

.3-4

9.5

4.9

-5.7

7.2

-3.5

-0.3

-3.4

0.0

Sura

tO

lpad

11.3

-2.0

0.0

-9.3

5.0

-1.0

-0.6

-3.5

0.0

Vals

adU

mar

gam

54.5

-25.

08.

9-3

8.4

15.2

-12.

2-3

.00.

00.

0

Vals

adVa

lsad

-26.

80.

00.

026

.87.

3-7

.0-0

.30.

00.

0

Sour

ce: D

epar

tmen

t of

Agr

icul

ture

, Gan

dhin

agar



Fig

4.8c

. Map

sho

win

g O

il se

eds

crop

pro

ducti

on c

hang

es in

% b

etw

een

1994

and

200

4.



Fig.

4.9

. Map

sho

win

g Ca

sh c

rop

prod

uctio

n ch

ange

s in

% b

etw

een

1994

and

200

4.



The data on irrigation resources suggest three major sources viz. tank (surface water),

canal and dug well (ground water). In case of 19 talukas, ground water is the main source

of irrigation, followed by canals. Tanks, on the other hand, contribute very small proportion

of total irrigation. On overall basis, the total area under irrigation shows increase over the

years (Table 4.8), but the growth of irrigation sources varies across talukas (Table 4.8).

Thus, the tank irrigation shows decline in many of the talukas, the irrigation by dug-wells

(i.e. from ground water) has increased in many talukas (Table 4.9). For example, ground

water irrigated area in Vagra taluka of Bharuch district has increased from a meagre 17 ha

in 1990-1995 to 1182 ha during 2001-05.

The ecological consequences (like salinity ingression) of increasing exploitation of ground

water in coastal talukas need to be correlated with the dynamics and management of

irrigation systems. Also, the irrigation data needs integration with the socio-economic

parameters and policy issues for better comprehension about the driving forces for changes

in irrigation system. Lack of such data, however, limits the ecological interpretation.



Table4.8:FiveYearAve

rage

Area(in

ha)und

erIrrigation

bydifferen

tSo

urces

Dis

tric

tTa

luka

1990

-199

519

96-2

000

2001

-200

5

Surface

Wat

erCa

nal

Gro

und

Wat

erTo

tal

Surface

Wat

erCa

nal

Gro

und

Wat

erTo

tal

Surface

Wat

erCa

nal

Gro

und

Wat

erTo

tal

Ahm

edab

adD

hand

huka

00

1123

711

237

00

8401

8401

00

3912

3912

Am

reli

Jafr

abad

00

1863

1863

00

3890

3890

00

2321

2321

Am

reli

Raju

la0

1420

7019

8439

010

3283

3793

690

6859

8860

56

Ana

ndKh

ambh

at80

222

927

1099

934

728

941

3045

992

6640

666

065

3896

2016

158

Bha

ruch

Han

sot

178

1515

00

1532

833

117

967

018

297

240

1998

181

2030

2

Bha

ruch

Jam

busa

r0

7242

649

80

9050

059

075

5278

691

3

Bha

ruch

Vagr

a0

017

170

040

400

011

8211

82

Bhav

naga

rBh

avna

gar

050

040

9645

960

759

7324

8082

010

442

7043

73

Bhav

naga

rG

hogh

a0

560

4515

5075

083

237

3245

640

7552

9653

71

Bhav

naga

rM

ahuv

a0

4853

1320

218

054

032

4721

776

2502

30

101

2217

922

280

Bhav

naga

rTa

laja

062

1919

696

2591

50

8910

2123

130

142

013

3219

700

2103

2

Juna

gadh

Kodi

nar

029

013

160

1345

00

210

1399

914

209

038

013

092

1347

2

Juna

gadh

Una

126

504

1076

111

391

034

5016

208

1965

80

522

2233

022

852

Nav

sari

Gan

devi

169

8624

6761

1555

30

7040

8944

1598

40

9512

8750

1826

2

Nav

sari

Jala

lpor

e0

00

00

00

00

1167

422

4513

919

Sur

atCh

oras

i19

897

6616

2211

586

0N

A21

00N

A0

8683

2029

1360

6

Sur

atO

lpad

480

2232

920

7224

881

0N

A56

53N

A0

3480

698

2744

633

Val

sad

Um

arga

m70

021

1521

8536

90

3564

3933

00

3915

3915

Val

sad

Vals

ad46

2573

1025

912

878

032

8013

261

1654

10

5335

1447

419

809

Sour

ce: D

epar

tmen

t of

Agr

i cul

ture

, Gan

dhin

agar



Table4.9:PercentageChangeinDifferentSourceofIrrigation(1990-2005)

District Taluka Tank Canal Dugwell All Sources Ahmedabad Dhandhuka - - -65.18 -65.19Amreli Jafrabad - - 24.54 24.54Amreli Rajula - -95.22 -14.68 -28.24Anand Khambhat -100.00 -71.48 -12.53 -53.47Bhavnagar Bhavnagar - -79.25 4.22 -4.85Bhavnagar Ghogha - -86.60 17.29 5.83Bhavnagar Mahuva - -97.91 68.00 23.40Bhavnagar Talaja - -78.58 0.016 -18.84Bharuch Hansot 34.83 31.89 - 32.45Bharuch Jambusar - -27.43 84.21 83.14Bharuch Vagra - - 6769.18 6769.18Junagadh Una -100.00 3.57 107.51 100.62Junagadh Kodinar - 31.03 -0.52 0.16Navsari Gandevi -100.00 10.30 29.42 17.41Navsari Jalalpore - - - -Surat Chorasi -100.00 -11.09 25.08 17.43Surat Olpad -100.00 55.87 374.32 79.38Valsad Valsad -100.00 107.36 41.08 53.81Valsad Umargam -100.00 - 85.07 79.14

Source: Department of Agriculture, Gandhinagar

4.5. Livestock

The livestock population data was available from two livestock census- 1997 and 2003.

Taluka wise population of major livestock like cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat and camel in

2003 is presented in Fig. 4.14, 4.15 and 4.16. On overall basis, between 1997 and 2003,

there was an increase of about 6.4% and 9.4% in total population of cattle and buffalo,

respectively. However, in Jafrabad, Rajula and Gandevi talukas, there was a decline in the

population of both cattle and buffalo (Table 4.10). On the contrary, Choriasi, Dhandhuka,

Olpad, Jalalpor and Bhavnagar talukas recorded an increase in both cattle and buffalo

population. The population of Goat was also increased over the years.



Dist

rict

Talu

ka19

9720

01

Cattle

Milk

ing

Cattle(%

)Bu

ffalo

Milk

ing

Buffa

lo(%

)Sh

eep

Goat

Cam

elCa

ttle

Milk

ing

Cattle(%

)Bu

ffalo

Milk

ing

Buffa

lo(%

)Sh

eep

Goat

Cam

el

Ahm

edab

adDh

andh

uka

1945

135

.173

3734

.983

539

380

2631

127

.813

074

33.0

2085

6905

1

Amre

liJa

fraba

d25

795

21.4

8737

37.0

6747

6165

015

333

26.4

5718

41.2

5543

4998

1

Amre

liRa

jula

3699

223

.032

918

42.0

2797

222

029

231

622

22.7

2746

040

.028

983

2326

912

Anan

dKh

ambh

at21

134

40.0

4153

041

.339

359

3522

626

874

43.1

3492

844

.694

388

1345

0

Bhav

naga

rBh

avna

gar

2944

131

.432

578

30.7

1263

121

722

7333

362

39.6

3779

546

.817

372

2295

373

Bhav

naga

rGo

gha

1753

822

.015

819

43.3

1850

415

024

4718

109

20.3

2271

845

.019

173

1225

725

3

Bhav

naga

rM

ahuv

a52

857

17.6

6057

337

.367

041

3432

082

5914

917

.464

138

41.2

7271

426

466

129

Bhav

naga

rTa

laja

3285

012

.455

907

40.8

7843

735

440

635

774

17.5

5957

143

.076

948

2875

518

Bhar

uch

Hans

ot81

8422

.975

6248

.947

262

0324

8922

17.8

7680

37.8

224

4488

1

Bhar

uch

Jam

bush

ar17

211

7.9

2704

042

.213

3921

425

4320

050

13.9

2780

246

.227

6520

933

201

Bhar

uch

Vagr

a59

887.

790

5745

.347

468

5779

5370

9.1

1021

344

.852

690

572

Juna

gadh

Kodi

nar

4966

024

.717

465

38.0

6400

1065

70

4940

523

.620

240

39.2

5822

1131

30

Juna

gadh

Una

8221

323

.643

585

37.6

1652

021

996

2182

650

22.2

4457

238

.313

673

2306

865

Navs

ari

Gand

evi

1481

233

.815

608

43.1

1051

1322

20

1378

540

.013

860

41.9

532

1243

32

Navs

ari

Jala

lpor

1062

334

.817

301

44.3

815

1518

80

1353

636

.520

028

47.6

1175

1321

40

Sura

tCh

orya

si10

120

36.0

2615

646

.466

911

186

1516

269

39.6

4373

553

.161

924

456

33

Sura

tO

lpad

1665

023

.628

510

51.8

187

9294

021

404

30.8

3232

048

.017

810

482

0

Valsa

dUm

arga

m18

751

38.4

5535

40.5

548

1125

90

2122

415

.370

5432

.548

310

833

0

Valsa

dVa

lsad

3511

824

.719

365

44.5

816

1407

55

3837

729

.724

244

43.4

1692

1939

50

Sour

ce: D

epar

tmen

t of

Agr

i cul

ture

, Gan

dhin

agar

Table4.10:Cha

ngeinLivestockpop

ulati

onin

Differen

tTalukas



Fig.

4.1

0. M

ap s

how

ing

% c

hang

es in

milk

ing

catt

le &

Buff

alo.



Fig.

4.1

1. M

ap s

how

ing

popu

latio

n of

Catt

le &

Buff

alo



Fig.

4.1

2. M

ap s

how

ing

popu

latio

n of

she

ep, G

oat &

Cam

el.



4.6. Energy

Environmental changes are results of the dynamic inter play of socio-economic, institutional and technological activities. Other than population growth, urbanization, intensification of agriculture etc. one important driver of environmental degradation includes the rising energy use for economic growth and transportation. Actually, lack of access to clean, affordable energy and over use of fossil energy adversely affects both, the poor and the environment. So much so, the issues of global climate change are directly linked to disproportionate use of fossil energy.

Thus, in the context of this study, efforts have also been made to understand the recent trends in energy use. It is important to mention here that the analysis is not aimed to bring direct correlations between the use of different energy types and environmental degradation in coastal talukas. But at the same time, it gives recent trends in two energy parameters:(i) Electricity consumption by different sectors(ii) Fuel consumption

4.6.1. ElectricityConsumption

The electric consumption data of 2000 to 2009 was collected from electricity supply companies. In terms of electricity consumption between 2000 and 2009, the 19 coastal talukas along the Gulf of Khambhat showed widely varied values (Table 4.11). Thus, while Chorasi taluka in Surat district consumes on an average 1705 MUS, the Hansot taluka in neighboring Bharuch district used only 0.49 MUS electricity. (Fig. 4.13)

Table4.11:OverallElectricityConsumption(UnitsinMUS)indifferenttalukas

District Taluka 2000 2009 Avg.(2000-2009)Ahmedabad Dhandhuka 7.95 17.80 11.75Anand Khambhat NA 83.12 69.84Amreli Rajula 9.40 29.71 16.03Amreli Jafrabad 4.92 12.92 7.46Bharuch Hansot 0.46 0.70 0.49Bharuch Vagra 1.65 2.25 1.75Bharuch Jambusar 1.03 2.53 1.51Bhavnagar Bhavnagar NA 93.34 88.71Bhavnagar Mahuva NA 39.11 34.67Bhavnagar Talaja NA 18.55 17.87Bhavnagar Ghogha NA 15.67 13.19Junagadh Una 29.44 54.35 37.18Junagadh Kodinar 12.13 27.36 17.20



Navsari Jalalpore 33.01 67.48 59.76Navsari Gandevi 28.09 60.86 46.22Surat Chorasi 945.04 2421.78 1704.51Surat Olpad 106.72 158.22 127.52Valsad Valsad 54.34 138.58 97.62Valsad Umargam 62.85 127.86 95.54

NA= Data for the period are not available

Source: MGVCL, DGVCL, PGVCL

Between 2000 and 2009, as expected, the total consumption of electricity had increased across all the sectors for all the talukas (Table 4.12). However, in terms of share of electricity consumption by different sectors, data recorded interesting trends. Accordingly, in all the talukas share of electricity consumption in agriculture sector had increased by smaller proportions (Table 4.13 and 4.14). Interestingly, the share of electricity consumption in industrial sectors had recorded declining trends in all the talukas. It is however, very difficult to argue and interpret any environmental as well as economical consequences due to such shift in electricity consumption pattern.

Table4.12:SectorwiseAverageElectricityConsumption(unitsinMUS) in 2000-2004 and 2005-2009 periods

Taluka Domestic Commercial Industrial Agriculture Other00-04 05-09 00-04 05-09 00-04 05-09 00-04 05-09 00-04 05-09

Dhandhuka 5.47 7.73 1.31 3.28 1.68 2.71 0.22 1.09 0.00 0.00Khambhat NA 28.07 NA 6.59 NA 12.81 NA 17.22 NA 5.15Rajula 6.16 8.75 0.96 1.95 2.39 4.35 0.57 2.69 0.88 3.35Jafrabad 3.05 4.16 0.25 0.68 1.57 1.99 0.33 1.18 0.36 1.35Hansot 0.25 0.33 0.04 0.04 0.10 0.10 0.02 0.06 0.02 0.02Vagra 0.31 0.55 0.07 0.15 0.96 1.27 0.00 0.01 0.10 0.07Jambusar 0.55 0.91 0.09 0.21 0.31 0.58 0.09 0.12 0.08 0.09Bhavnagar NA 33.78 NA 8.57 NA 7.53 NA 1.56 NA 1.79Mahuva NA 8.42 NA 1.63 NA 3.31 NA 6.62 NA 0.81Talaja NA 5.31 NA 1.45 NA 1.77 NA 1.42 NA 0.77Ghogha NA 2.15 NA 0.75 NA 2.84 NA 1.97 NA 0.20Una 12.73 19.16 2.37 4.55 5.23 7.92 2.08 5.84 9.77 4.82Kodinar 5.34 7.74 1.26 2.66 3.52 4.93 0.72 2.75 1.37 4.09Jalalpore 31.23 40.69 4.04 5.20 15.03 7.12 0.95 3.43 5.42 6.38Gandevi 24.84 35.16 4.47 7.52 4.84 5.38 1.41 3.64 2.19 2.84Chorasi 222.50 429.76 110.54 178.24 981.15 1428.44 1.04 1.45 19.04 36.81Olpad 15.95 22.01 6.85 8.68 84.95 95.63 0.55 12.61 4.40 3.32Valsad 43.85 68.53 12.26 21.15 16.66 22.76 1.30 3.43 1.81 3.50Umargam 16.31 27.52 9.61 15.25 50.55 68.91 0.38 0.87 0.90 0.80

NA= Data for the period are not availableSource: MGVCL, DGVCL, PGVCL



Fig.

4.1

3. M

ap S

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ing

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tric

ity C

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00 &

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9



Table4.13:Share(%)inElectricConsumptionforDifferentSectors

Taluka % Share in 2000 % Share in 2009

Dom

estic

Com

m-e

rcia

l

Indu

st-r

ial

Agr

i-cul

ture

Oth

er

Dom

estic

Com

m-e

rcia

l

Indu

st-r

ial

Agr

i-cul

ture

Oth

er

Dhandhuka 64.68 12.52 22.15 0.64 0.00 49.15 28.21 14.39 8.24 0.00

Khambhat NA NA NA NA NA 39.27 9.49 16.50 27.92 6.82

Rajula 58.51 8.30 23.19 3.40 6.60 36.35 9.42 17.44 16.56 20.23

Jafrabad 57.32 3.86 29.07 3.86 5.89 40.09 9.44 18.03 15.56 16.87

Hansot 58.70 10.87 26.09 0.00 4.35 60.00 8.57 20.00 7.14 4.29

Vagra 16.97 6.06 66.67 0.00 10.30 30.67 9.33 57.33 0.00 2.67

Jambusar 45.63 5.83 33.98 1.94 12.62 49.41 13.04 26.48 5.93 5.14

Bhavnagar NA NA NA NA NA 62.91 16.65 12.98 3.85 3.61

Mahuva NA NA NA NA NA 38.38 8.77 15.11 32.93 4.76

Talaja NA NA NA NA NA 49.38 14.82 14.77 13.15 7.92

Ghogha NA NA NA NA NA 23.87 9.32 36.06 27.57 3.19

Una 39.06 6.90 16.68 5.77 31.59 43.07 12.64 16.52 17.50 10.27

Kodinar 40.81 8.66 26.96 6.18 17.39 35.89 14.91 18.06 15.35 15.79

Jalalpore 60.41 6.09 22.48 0.24 10.78 67.65 9.57 6.15 6.22 10.40

Gandevi 67.32 11.93 13.99 0.53 6.23 63.70 14.82 9.89 6.61 4.98

Chorasi 16.23 8.71 73.90 0.02 1.15 21.92 9.06 67.84 0.06 1.12

Olpad 13.94 5.88 77.75 0.19 2.24 16.03 6.88 74.62 0.79 1.69

Valsad 58.32 15.51 23.89 0.40 1.88 57.52 17.18 18.73 3.13 3.43

Umargam 20.89 12.00 65.22 0.14 1.75 25.03 14.41 59.16 0.67 0.74

NA= Data for the period are not available, Source: MGVCL, DGVCL, PGVCL

Table4.14:ChangeinShare(%)ofElectricityConsumptionin

DifferentSectors(Between2000and2009)

District Taluka Domestic Commercial Industry Agriculture Other OVERALL

Ahmedabad Dhandhuka -15.53 15.69 -7.76 7.60 0.00 55.3

Anand Khambhat NA NA NA NA NA NA

Amreli Rajula -22.16 1.13 -5.76 13.16 13.63 68.4

Amreli Jafrabad -17.22 5.58 -11.03 11.70 10.98 61.9

Bharuch Hansot 1.30 -2.30 -6.09 7.14 -0.06 34.3

Bharuch Vagra 13.70 3.27 -9.33 0.00 -7.64 26.7

Bharuch Jambusar 3.78 7.22 -7.50 3.99 -7.48 59.3

Bhavnagar Bhavnagar NA NA NA NA NA NA

Bhavnagar Mahuva NA NA NA NA NA NA

Bhavnagar Talaja NA NA NA NA NA NA



Bhavnagar Ghogha NA NA NA NA NA NA

Junagadh Una 4.01 5.74 -0.16 11.72 -21.32 45.8

Junagadh Kodinar -4.92 6.26 -8.90 9.17 -1.61 55.7

Navsari Jalalpore 7.24 3.48 -16.33 5.98 -0.38 51.1

Navsari Gandevi -3.62 2.89 -4.10 6.07 -1.25 53.8

Surat Chorasi 5.69 0.35 -6.05 0.04 -0.03 61.0

Surat Olpad 2.09 0.99 -3.13 0.60 -0.55 32.5

Valsad Valsad -0.80 1.67 -5.15 2.73 1.56 60.8

Valsad Umargam 4.14 2.41 -6.06 0.53 -1.02 50.8

4.6.2. FuelConsumption

The type and quantity of fuel used had serious implications on environmental health

because use of fossil fuels in higher proportions as main source of energy actually

contributes to air pollution. This section therefore attempts to present an analysis of

pattern of fuel consumption at taluka levels. The data are presented in following three

major sections

a. Sector wise fuel consumption for different fuel types

b. Recent growth in supplying domestic cooking gas through pipelines

c. Promotion of biogas plants

4.6.2.1.FuelUsePattern

The data on use and consumption of different fuel types in different sectors were collected

from respective Mamlatdar office. Accordingly, fuel use data for the period between 2000

and 2009 were collated for different sectors like transportation, industry, agriculture and

domestic.In transportation sector, information was found on the consumption of Petrol,

HSD and LPG/CNG. As expected, the data clearly suggest that in almost all the talukas,

fuel use for transportation purpose had increased.The maximum consumption of Petrol

and Diesel was recorded in Olpad taluka followed by Chorasi taluka (Table 4.15, Fig. 4.14).

Interestingly, Chorasi taluka also had maximum consumption of electricity units. The

LPG/CNG use is restricted only in Dhandhuka taluka and that too only for year 2008 and

2009. However, data suggest that the consumption had increased from 104574 kilolitre

in 2008 to 300354 kilolitre in 2009.



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Table4.15:Con

sumpti

on(inKiloLitre)o

fPetrol&

Dieselindifferen

tTalukasfortran

sportation

purpo

se



Fig.

4.1

4. M

ap s

how

ing

cons

umpti

on o

f Pet

rol &

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sel.



In Industrial sector, two major fuels are used viz. Superior Kerosene Oil (SKO) and Naptha.

The data is available only for four talukas. While the SKO use is reported from Mahua,

Jalalpore and Gandevi talukas, the use of Naptha as industrial fuel is reported only from

Chorasi taluka. Interestingly, at taluka level, the consumption of industrial fuels had

shown a steady declining trend between 2000 and 2009 (Table 4.16, Fig. 4.15b).

Table4.16:IndustrialFuelConsumption(inKilolitre)indifferenttaluka

Taluka 2001 2005 2009 Avg.Mahuva* 2735.0 2772.0 2544.0 2670.5Jalalpore* 1749.4 1377.0 1439.2 1524.4Gandevi* 4977.3 3967.3 3705.3 4268.8Chorasi** 164298.0 64970.0 1183.0 102821.8

* Data for SKO, ** Data for Naptha

Source: Taluka level Mamlatdar Office.

In domestic sector, data on consumption and use of SKO and LPG are collected for the

period of 2000 to 2009. Also, the available data is limited to only 11 talukas (for eight

talukas there was no data available). Accordingly, it is quite apparent that over the

years consumption of SKO had shown steady decline in most of the talukas (Fig. 4.2).

In contrast, consumption of LPG had shown sharp increase in majority of talukas (Table

4.17, Fig. 4.15a). This trend is expected to have serious positive health implications due

to reduction in indoor air pollution.

In agriculture sector, use of HSD and Crude Oil are reported. However, consumption data

of these fuels are not available for most of the talukas. Therefore, in this report, their

analysis was deliberately omitted.

Table4.17:DomesticFuelConsumptionindifferenttaluka

Taluka SKO (in Kilolitre) LPG (in Kg)

2000 2005 2009 Avg. 2000 2005 2009 Avg.Dhandhuka NA 2391.0 2194.3 2260.1 NA NA 7440095.0 NA

Khambhat NA NA NA NA 403975.8 553587.0 560133.2 511708.4

Rajula 2976.0 3312.0 3696.0 3295.0 NA NA NA NA

Jafrabad NA 2172.0 2220.0 2204.4 NA NA NA NA

Hansot 14.4 11.9 11.9 12.2 NA NA NA NA

Vagra 2242.0 1681.0 1724.0 1819.4 NA NA NA NA

Jambusar 4345.0 2996.0 2739.0 3393.6 40910.2 4160.6 5268.2 8626.5

Bhavnagar NA NA NA NA NA 208598.0 506974.7 241887.4

Mahuva NA 3342.1 3460.2 2637.8 1535954.0 1825660.0 2395089.0 1915066.0

Talaja 2808.0 2596.0 2144.0 2544.4 451219.2 966581.0 884092.0 693246.9



Ghogha NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

Una NA NA NA NA 814213.8 1101281.0 1366381.0 1083417.3

Kodinar 5815.5 4361.4 4522.0 4703.2 502680.0 935268.8 895466.2 772255.6

Jalalpore NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

Gandevi NA NA NA NA 889928.2 1517341.0 2087059.2 1479892.8

Chorasi NA 6384.7 2250.6 4370.6 NA 176316.0 180392.0 171324.6

Olpad NA NA NA NA 554524.2 762895.0 808264.0 706951.3

Valsad 4180.3 4327.6 3925.6 4203.4 NA NA NA NA

Umargam NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

Source: Taluka level Mamlatdar Office.

Fig. 4.15a.: Average Domestic LPG usage of different talukas annually.

Fig 4.15b: Average domestic use of SKO per annum at different talukas.



4.6.2.2. Gas Pipeline

State is taking steps to provide domestic cooking gas to the doorstep of the households.

For this cooking gas are supplied through pipelines. Although, its exact environmental

consequences may not be direct and significant, yet in terms of efficiency in domestic

energy use, it had proven roles. Considering the enormity of the task, however,

laying down of pipelines and through that distributing the gas connection is currently

limited to only selected cities and towns. Many of the talukas have yet not been covered

under this plan. Contextually, out of 19 coastal talukas along the Gulf of Khambhat,

till 2009-2010, only six talukas are covered under this plan of supplying gas through

pipelines (Table 4.18).

Table4.18:SpreadofPipelineforDomesticCookingGasindifferentTalukas

District Taluka 2009 2010 Total No.of

Cooking Gas

Connection

Steel

Pipeline

(in km)

PE

Pipeline

(in km)

Steel

Pipeline

(in km)

PE

Pipeline

(in km)

Steel

Pipeline

(in km)

PE

Pipeline

(in km)

Anand Khambhat 12.856 98.560 8.993 28.094 21.849 126.654 6624

Navsari Gandevi 0 3.205 0 2.401 0 5.606 NA

Navsari Jalalpore 13.564 186.552 10.436 92.947 24.000 279.499 16277

Surat Chorasi 2.146 88.456 2.043 99.331 4.189 187.787 14371

Valsad Valsad 4.567 126.533 4.098 11.777 8.665 138.310 6176

Valsad Umargam 9.856 5.689 4.723 1.194 14.579 6.883 NA

Source: GSPC, Gandhinagar

It is important to mention here that in many other talukas the work of laying down of

pipelines and supply of gas is contracted to different private agencies (like Adani Gas).

Once the data from these private agencies are available, the picture will be clearer.

4.6.2.3. Biogas

The biogas is one of the non-conventional, renewable energy sources. Thus, its promotion

by various Govt. and non-govt. agencies is considered as environment friendly practice.

In 19 coastal talukas along Gulf of Khambhat, the biogas plants were promoted by Gujarat

Energy Development Agency (GEDA). The 10 year data between 1998 and 2007 suggests

that in the second half of this period the biogas plants were promoted more vigorously

compared to the first part of the decade. Still, however, in talukas like Hansot, Jambusar,

Chorasi, Umargaon, Vagra and Olpad, biogas plants have not reached to the masses. On

the other hand, in Valsad, Mahuva and Una talukas, number of biogas plants is quite high

(Table 4.16)



Table4.19:NumberofBiogasplantsindifferenttalukas

Taluka 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Total

Bhavnagar 3 12 5 9 16 18 12 18 100 28 221

Chorasi 0 0 0 1 4 20 3 0 0 0 28

Dhandhuka 0 0 0 13 0 23 74 33 110 50 303

Gandevi 0 64 31 32 43 45 50 15 29 5 314

Ghogha 16 11 1 13 7 15 22 14 46 7 152

Hansot 1 3 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 8

Jafrabad 5 0 1 6 0 23 0 14 16 30 95

Jalalpore 0 28 24 9 42 27 28 18 1 44 221

Jambusar 14 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 16

Khambhat 4 15 6 27 53 28 62 47 6 56 304

Kodinar 20 6 18 21 45 31 36 35 25 10 247

Mahuva 25 0 121 89 91 58 97 78 59 58 676

Olpad 2 0 8 4 11 8 5 0 0 0 38

Rajula 15 9 25 37 24 14 0 0 0 0 124

Talaja 2 22 11 61 65 30 43 17 34 37 322

Umargaon 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 25 3 29

Una 101 0 14 35 37 20 50 71 86 80 494

Vagra 0 0 12 0 0 7 19 0 0 0 38

Valsad 46 35 34 49 68 104 95 5 25 147 608

Source: Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA), Gandhinagar



Fig.

4.1

6. M

ap s

how

ing

tota

l no.

of B

io-g

as p

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diff

eren

t tal

ukas

.



4.7. Industry

The purpose of industrial development is to provide opportunities of better living and employment to the people. While industrial development almost inevitably creates more employment in the region, the possibilities of adverse effects on the environment also increased if these adverse effects are not properly contained or reduced to minimum. Gujarat’s coastal tracts are providing suitable conditions for setting-up of industries and thus are prone to environmental degradation.

For the present study purpose, data on growth of medium and large industries in 19 talukas were collected for the period between 1986 and 2010 (total 25 years). The data expectedly highlight that there is a continuous growth in setting up of both medium and large scale industries in most of the talukas. Particluarly, the medium scale industries were more rapidly installed in Umargaon, Valsad, and Chorasi talukas. The large scale industries, on the other hand were promoted in Chorasi and Vagra talukas (Table 4.20, Fig. 4.16).

Table4.20:NumberofMediumandLargeIndustriesinDifferentTalukas

Taluka Medium Large

1986-1990

1991-1995

1996-2000

2001-2005

2006-2010

Total 1986-1990

1991-1995

1996-2000

2001-2005

2006-2010

Total

Dhandhuka 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0

Khambhat 0 2 5 7 1 15 0 0 0 0 0 0

Rajula 0 17 12 0 3 32 0 1 4 2 3 10

Jafrabad 0 0 2 0 1 3 0 0 2 0 0 2

Hansot 1 11 5 5 2 24 0 1 0 1 1 3

Vagra 6 28 15 16 29 94 1 29 10 6 30 76

Jambusar 3 22 21 18 4 68 0 1 1 1 4 7

Bhavnagar 1 23 23 27 16 90 0 1 0 2 1 4

Mahuva 0 15 5 6 2 28 0 1 1 1 5 8

Talaja 0 17 5 0 0 22 0 0 1 0 0 1

Ghogha 0 13 2 3 0 18 0 0 0 0 0 0

Una 0 0 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 2 2

Kodinar 0 4 2 2 0 8 0 2 0 2 1 5

Jalalpore 0 4 1 2 1 8 0 0 1 0 0 1

Gandevi 5 7 3 4 1 20 0 0 0 0 0 0

Chorasi 13 73 77 62 26 251 10 29 1 10 8 58

Olpad 4 30 18 24 9 85 0 3 0 0 1 4

Valsad 25 66 32 75 59 257 0 0 0 3 2 5

Umargam 14 119 76 62 56 327 0 0 2 1 1 4

Source: iNDEXTb



In addition to above, at larger scale industries like ship-breaking in Alang-Sosiya area

of Ghogha taluka of Bhavnagar district had several serious environmental issues,

mainly associated with pollution. Similarly, in talukas like Olpad, Chorasi , Vagra etc. the

uncontrolled industrial development had been a major concern. Industrial clusters like

Hazira near Surat city had also raised several environmental issues. Although, this study

did not attempt to go into the details of such industrial clusters, it is important to take-up

such industrial clusters as case studies to record various environmental issues, specific

to that region.



Fig.

4.1

7. M

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ium

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as



4.8. RoadNetwork

Road network development enhances mobility and is critical for economic growth of

a region. However, inappropriately planned, designed and constructed road networks

can aggravate the conditions of the poor people, and could harm the natural and socio-

economic environment. Some of the common impacts of ill planned road network

include damage and fragmentation of habitats for wildlife, change in hydrological regime,

wetland shrinkage, pollution, etc.

In the present context of 19 coastal talukas, the data on development of different types

of road network was collected for the period between 2000 and 2009. The last ten years

data suggest that there is continuous growth in the development of road network in all

the talukas (Table 4.12). However, it is very difficult to record various impacts of these

road networks on the ecology of the surrounding areas.

Table4.21:DevelopmentofRoadNetwork(inKm)indifferenttaluka

Taluka 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Dhandhuka NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 398.8 398.8

Khambhat NA NA NA NA NA NA 189.0 197.6 190.9 220.4

Rajula NA NA NA NA NA NA 331.5 363.5 355.5 359.3

Jafrabad NA NA NA NA NA NA 152.5 152.5 152.5 157.2

Hansot NA 226.3 229.4 229.4 213.2 213.4 206.7 201.7 214.6 214.6

Vagra NA 254.9 241.1 241.1 229.3 228.5 233.6 229.9 224.3 272.5

Jambusar NA 358.3 398.4 398.4 381.0 381.0 386.1 389.4 380.5 387.6

Bhavnagar NA NA NA 345.0 345.0 348.0 348.0 331.2 319.2 241.5

Mahuva NA NA NA 944.1 944.1 929.6 929.6 953.2 955.7 954.2

Talaja NA NA NA 463.9 463.9 463.9 463.9 468.4 489.5 468.4

Ghogha NA NA NA 227.8 227.8 227.8 230.3 230.3 230.3 230.3

Una 416.0 400.4 422.7 411.4 406.0 421.8 426.4 426.2 427.2 428.9

Kodinar 246.0 241.0 249.0 249.0 255.5 258.0 253.7 263.4 296.1 296.1

Gandevi 272.7 282.3 275.3 275.3 275.3 275.3 345.8 340.2 338.1 323.6

Jalalpore 238.8 236.8 237.2 237.2 237.2 237.2 243.2 250.9 251.4 238.5

Chorasi 277.8 277.8 277.8 280.7 281.7 284.7 286.9 199.0 201.1 113.1

Olpad 335.3 335.3 332.5 324.9 324.9 324.9 324.5 291.8 291.8 283.3

Valsad 677.5 753.0 753.0 753.0 751.6 751.6 753.3 753.3 751.3 751.3

Umargam 394.3 405.6 405.6 405.6 399.1 399.1 416.6 427.4 419.5 433.5

Source: Road & Building Department, State & Panchayats



4.9. FishProduction

The fish production is considered as both, the indicator of alteration in the coastal

environment and also the cause of changes in marine ecology. Thus, while decline in

fish production, on one hand suggests that there is some problem in coastal and marine

environment (e.g. increased pollution load), on the other hand, this could be due to

unsustainable / overfishing or even due to issues that involve the impact of fishing on

the environment, such as dumping of by-catch. Thus, a time series fish production data

may indicate the overall health of fishery environment.

In the context of present study, in the 19 talukas, fish production data of 58 fish landing

centres were collected for the period between 1998-99 and 2008-09. The average annual

fish production during this 10 year period indicates that 29 landing centres had catch of

more than 1000 tons, 22 landing centres had upto 500 tons fish production and remaining

7 centres had between 500 and 1000 tons fish production. Jafrabad and Shiyalbet in

Jafrabad taluka and Rajpara and Nava Bandar in Una taluka recorded higher average fish

production (Table 4.22, Fig. 4.18). Further analysis of this data suggest that in 21 out

of 58 landing centres, the fish production recorded declining trends. Sites like Bilimora,

Dandi Maroli, Katpar, Vagrech and Daheri showed more than 50% decline in fish catch.

Table4.22:LandingCentrewiseChangeinFishCatch(inTons)

Taluka Landing Centre Avg.Catch

(1998-2009)

Avg.Catch

(1998-2003)

Avg.Catch

(2004-2009)

Differ-

ence

%differ-

enceDhandhuka NA NA NA NA NA NAKhambhat Khambhat 1650.5 1508.2 1769.0 260.8 17.3Rajula Chanch Bandar 3548.2 1845.2 4967.4 3122.2 169.2Jafrabad Jafrabad 53765.7 29293.1 74159.4 44866.3 153.2Jafrabad Shiyalbet 18581.5 12670.7 23507.1 10836.4 85.5Hansot Kantiyajal 294.8 131.0 431.4 300.4 229.3Vagra Luvara 267.7 129.4 383.0 253.6 195.9Vagra Lakhigam 241.3 127.4 336.3 209.0 164.1Jambusar Malpur 289.8 169.2 390.4 221.2 130.8Jambusar Kavi 645.4 775.9 536.6 -239.3 -30.8Jambusar Nada 279.7 150.6 387.3 236.6 157.1Jambusar Zamdi 293.6 151.0 412.4 261.4 173.1Jambusar Tankari 259.8 118.3 377.7 259.4 219.2Jambusar Sarod 263.2 125.8 377.7 251.9 200.3Bhavnagar Bhavnagar 501.7 592.5 426.1 -166.5 -28.1



Mahuva Katpar 291.6 443.1 165.4 -277.7 -62.7Mahuva Mahuva Bandar 648.6 235.0 786.4 551.4 234.6Talaja Sartanpar 676.6 636.8 709.7 73.0 11.5Talaja Ghadhula 270.0 219.7 311.9 92.3 42.0Ghogha Ghogha 1597.4 1490.9 1686.1 195.3 13.1Ghogha Mithi Virdi 115.5 117.2 114.0 -3.2 -2.7Una Rajpara 25291.0 21107.6 28777.2 7669.6 36.3Una Nava Bandar 28766.0 28047.7 29364.7 1317.0 4.7Una Simar 1667.1 611.4 2546.8 1935.4 316.6Kodinar Mul Dwarka 3432.9 3644.9 3256.3 -388.7 -10.7Jalalpore Krisnapur 3759.7 3018.0 4377.8 1359.8 45.1Jalalpore Onjal 6322.6 5042.3 7389.5 2347.2 46.5Jalalpore Vansi Borsi 5527.9 6390.2 4809.4 -1580.8 -24.7Jalalpore Chormlabhata 415.9 380.1 460.7 80.6 21.2Gandevi Dholai 3017.3 3447.4 2658.9 -788.5 -22.9Gandevi Bhat 4765.1 3797.1 5571.7 1774.6 46.7Gandevi Bilimora 133.7 221.9 23.4 -198.5 -89.5Gandevi Vagrech 414.9 603.6 257.6 -346.1 -57.3Chorasi Bhimpor 2398.2 2717.3 2132.2 -585.1 -21.5Chorasi Dumas 2170.1 2082.2 2243.3 161.1 7.7Chorasi Hazira 740.5 673.4 796.3 122.9 18.2Chorasi Suwali 203.6 190.5 214.5 23.9 12.6Chorasi Vanswa 253.5 261.0 247.3 -13.7 -5.3Olpad Dandi 857.2 792.7 911.0 118.3 14.9Olpad Delasa 322.4 348.4 300.7 -47.7 -13.7Olpad Mor 912.5 799.9 1006.3 206.5 25.8Olpad Bhagva 412.1 326.0 483.8 157.9 48.4Olpad Pardi Zankhari 350.1 317.8 377.1 59.3 18.7Valsad Dandi Maroli 152.1 202.5 68.1 -134.4 -66.4Valsad Magod 7569.4 8188.6 7053.5 -1135.1 -13.9Valsad Survada 2237.5 2443.7 2065.7 -378.0 -15.5Valsad Kosmba 6899.0 6754.9 7019.1 264.2 3.9Valsad Bhadeli Jagalal 2881.2 3383.0 2463.1 -919.9 -27.2Valsad Dandi Bhatha 1366.7 1234.2 1477.1 242.9 19.7Valsad Nani Danti 2487.4 2645.8 2355.3 -290.5 -11.0Valsad Moti Danti 3652.0 4169.6 3220.7 -948.9 -22.8Umargam Umargam 6412.0 6485.4 6350.9 -134.5 -2.1Umargam Khatalvada 4291.3 4049.7 4492.7 443.0 10.9



Umargam Nargol 4673.7 3773.8 5423.7 1649.9 43.7Umargam Tadgam 251.8 181.6 310.4 128.8 71.0Umargam Maroli 2234.7 2037.0 2399.6 362.6 17.8Umargam Fansa 3354.2 3714.4 3054.0 -660.4 -17.8Umargam Kalai 2171.3 1708.9 2556.7 847.7 49.6Umargam Daheri 142.2 176.2 85.5 -90.7 -51.5

Source: Fisheries Department, Gandhinagar

Among the talukas, Jafrabad, Una, Jalalpore, Valsad and Umargaon shows average

annual fish catch of more than 10000 tons, while Hansot, Vagra, Bhavnagar, Mahuva

and Talaja recorded less than 1000 tons average fish catch (Table 4.23). Four talukas viz.

Bhavnagar,Valsad, Kodinar and Chorasi recorded a decline in their fish production. The

actual causes of such decline need to be explored further.

Table4.23:TalukawiseChangeinFishCatch(inTons)

Taluka Avg.Catch

(1998-2009)

Avg.Catch

(1998-2003)

Avg.Catch

(2004-2009)

Difference %Difference

Dhandhuka 0 0 0 0

Khambhat 1650.5 1508.2 1769.0 260.8 17.3

Rajula 3548.2 1845.2 4967.4 3122.2 169.2

Jafrabad 72347.2 41963.9 97666.6 55702.7 132.7

Hansot 294.8 131.0 431.4 300.4 229.3

Vagra 509.1 256.8 719.3 462.5 180.1

Jambusar 2031.5 1490.8 2482.1 991.2 66.5

Bhavnagar 501.7 592.5 426.1 -166.5 -28.1

Mahuva 763.3 537.1 951.8 414.7 77.2

Talaja 946.5 856.4 1021.7 165.2 19.3

Ghogha 1712.8 1608.1 1800.1 192.0 11.9

Una 55724.1 49766.7 60688.7 10922.0 21.9

Kodinar 3432.9 3644.9 3256.3 -388.7 -10.7

Jalalpore 15950.5 14830.6 16883.8 2053.1 13.8

Gandevi 8306.6 8070.1 8503.8 433.7 5.4

Chorasi 5765.8 5924.5 5633.6 -290.9 -4.9

Olpad 2854.3 2584.6 3079.0 494.3 19.1

Valsad 27203.9 29022.4 25688.5 -3333.8 -11.5

Umargam 23492.6 22126.9 24630.7 2503.8 11.3

Source: Fisheries Department, Gandhinagar



Fig.

4.1

8. M

ap s

how

ing

aver

age

Fish

Pro

ducti

on (i

n To

ns)



4.10. Salt Work

Other than fisheries, salt manufacturing is one of the major industries that use the

coastal and marine resources. While the salt work is a major source of livelihood for

large number of people (agarias), increasing mechanization has improved production

efficiency. Nevertheless, the entire sector has many direct or indirect environmental

concerns and thus, considered as critical sector for coastal ecology. Thus, in the present

context, data on the growth of this sector in 19 coastal talukas were collected for the

period between 1991 and 2009.

Importantly, only in 12 talukas salt works were found operating. Except in Vagra taluka,

in most of the other talukas the scale of salt work operation were found relatively to be

at lower level. Nevertheless, it was found that between 2000 and 2009,the area under

salt work had increased in most of the talukas (Table 4.24). It is important that in order

to ascertain the impact of these salt works on ecology and environment of these coastal

talukas, detailed study need to be commissioned.

Table4.24:ChangeinScaleofSaltWorkandtheirProductionindifferenttalukas

Taluka No.ofLease Area under Lease (Ha.) SaltProduction(MT)

1991 2000 2009 1991 2000 2009 1991 2000 2009

Khambhat 1 3 3 254.16 2112.56 2018.79 12800 22936 32392

Rajula NA NA NA NA NA 8631.98 NA 353167 NA

Jafrabad NA NA NA NA NA 6258.38 NA 316036 NA

Hansot 5 9 7 485.61 834.80 656.90 10730 33650 49370

Vagra 28 49 59 5587.06 7609.87 8262.29 236789 624849 1096354

Jambusar 19 NA NA 2138.80 NA 0 43159 NA NA

Bhavnagar NA NA 27 NA NA 37588.75 NA NA 2224731

Mahuva NA 7 NA NA NA NA NA 16200 NA

Talaja NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA

Gogha NA NA 7 NA NA 3713.20 NA NA 78561

Una NA NA NA NA NA 0 NA 192658 0

Kodinar NA NA NA NA NA 1969.05 NA 0 0

Jalalpore NA NA NA NA 232.64 928.55 NA 7457 5050

Olpad NA NA NA NA 1550.83 2035.13 NA 66440 135897

Valsad NA NA NA NA 100.79 928.55 NA 28365 39338

Umargam NA NA NA NA 286.86 230.21 NA 6750 7361

Source: Salt Inspector , Taluka level.


Conclusion

Gulf of Khambhat is considered as one of the important natural systems of the Gujarat state. In administrative terms, the Gulf is bordered by 19 talukas belonging to 9 districts. Last census (2001) suggests that about 4.73 lakh people live in these 19 talukas. Due to its geographical positioning, physical and oceanographic characteristics, and large human population around, the gulf is vulnerable to various anthropogenic activities including rapid industrialization and coastal infrastructure development projects (like ports, oil terminals etc.), jeopardizing both ecological as well as livelihood securities along these regions.

Realizing that for the effective planning and management of various natural resources and key ecological systems in and along the Gulf of Khambhat, it is important to understand the trends of various drivers (climatic and anthropogenic) and response variables including the state of floral and faunal species. Keeping above in view, this study is the first attempt towards creating an ecological profile by collecting and organizing ecological information of the coastal talukas along the Gulf of Khambhat, and, to understand their trends at taluka level.

The study suggested that despite many limitations in secondary data (in terms of their consistency and periodicity) some basic analysis of those data actually help in recording some interesting trends, although not conclusive. The trends and their interpretation, mainly through multiple correlations and regression, of different parameters would vastly improve by collecting robust time series data for each of the parameters.

The study has demonstrated interesting spatio-temporal changes and trends in various land use categories, cropping and irrigation patterns, energy uses etc., but the data needs further exploration. Similarly, more intensive and systematic ecological surveys need to be considered for better understanding of abundance and distribution of key floral and faunal species, especially the rare and endangered ones.

It is also important to mention here that while attempts are made to present the trend of different parameters independently, many of them may have significant correlations and regressions and thus influencing and explaining the values of each others. However, these multivariate analyses were not attempted intentionally just to not make it over-burdened with heavy statistics. As a matter of fact, this exercise established first order trends, and thus identifying some of the focus areas for future studies

5. CONCLUSION


Conclusion

Importantly, this study could not only manage and organize the primary data and information on flora and fauna, but could also organize all the secondary data from various sources in GIS domain. This helped in generating various maps about the status and trends of various ecological and socio-economical parameters. Thus, this study was able to discern key spatial patterns on important parameters. Unequivocally, such multi-dimensional spatial database actually fulfills one of the pre-conditions for giving long term focus to monitor socio-ecological conditions and issues at suitable administrative level i.e. talukas. More importantly, such database creation would help achieving information driven sustainable development objectives for the ecologically sensitive coastal region of Gulf of Khambhat.

As stated earlier, the study throws out some interesting trends for many ecological and socio-economical parameters, in order to take it to logical conclusion, it is important to find out the causes of some of those changes and thus the trend in land use types, irrigation area, area under different crops etc. Equally important is to identify key ecological/environmental and socio-economical effects (impacts) of above changes. In other words, unless the cause and effects of recorded trends are explored, it is very difficult to comprehend and identify measures for sustainable development in coastal region of Gulf of Khambhat. Simply looking into the trends and numbers won’t tell the complete and real ecological issues. For complete picture, the backward and forward linkages need to be explored. Only through some in-depth studies, proper assessment can be made. Thus, in order to comprehend the real ecological issues linked to various parameters and to identify and quantify some of these issues, pilot intensive surveys in some of the problem talukas need to be undertaken.

Finally, it is also realized that the users of this report may be expecting following two outputs: (i) the ecological ranking of all the talukas and (ii) broad area of intervention to improve ecological/environmental conditions problem talukas. The report deliberately avoided to produce above two outputs. For the first point, it is important to realize that even the earlier comprehensive efforts by GEC like preparing of State Environmental Action program (SEAP), actually failed to rank talukas by taking into account different parameters (like pollution, landuse changes, biodiversity losses, land degradation, industrial development, energy demands etc.) and integrating them to generate one ‘super index’ of ecological health. In practical sense, this is quite an ambitious task. However, at best SEAP presented the trends in individual parameters. Needless to say, this study also attempted to generate and analysed such trends. Drawing multiple regression and cross sectoral integrations from present data sets may lead to wrong conclusions.

For the second point, it is again very important to realize that in order to suggest possible interventions for promoting ecological/environmental improvement at taluka levels,


Conclusion

identification of problems and their root causes is must. However, by analysing trends of some of the parameter, this study is just able to record some of the apparent “symptoms” of the problem. Unless, some of the identified symptoms are tracked and understood systematically through independent yet interdisciplinary case studies, search for possible workable interventions is very difficult. And for that, we need to collect more evidences and information from field levels.

In conclusion, it can be said that this study is just an attempt to quickly organize secondary and primary data and analysed their spatio-temporal trends. This helped in identifying and indicating key symptoms of the problems. While present study stopped at that point, it actually suggest for follow-up case studies to further probing the problem at site level. Potential interventions can only emerge from those grass-root levels of understanding.


Annexure3.1:ChecklistofPlantSpeciesRecordedDuringtheSurvey

# Woody Species Herb Species Climber Species

1 Acacia arabica Abelmoschus manihot Abrus precatorius

2 Acacia catechu Abutilon indicum Ampelocissus latifolia

3 Acacia fernesiana Acalypha indica Antigogon leptopus

4 Acacia ferruginia Acanthospermum hispidum Asparagus racemosus

5 Acacia leucophoea Acanthus ilicifolius Blastinia fimbristipula

6 Acacia nilotica Achyranthes aspera Boganvelia spectabilis

7 Acacia senegal Achyranthus muricata Bouganvelia glabra

8 Achras sapota Adhatoda vasica Cardiospermum halicacabum

9 Aegle marmelos Aeluropus lagopodioides Cissus repanda

10 Ailanthus excelsa Aerua lanata Clitoria ternetia

11 Alangium salvifolium Agave americana Coccinia grandis

12 Annona reticulata Ageratum conyzoides Coccinia indica

13 Annona squamosa Allium cepa Cocculus hirsutus

14 Anogeissus latifolia Aloe vera Cocculus pendulus

15 Anogeissus pendula Alysicarpus longifolius Cocculus vilosus

16 Anthocephalus indicus Alysicarpus pubescens Cucumis callosus

17 Avicennia marina Amarantus hypochondriacus

Cuscuta reflexa

18 Azadirachta indica Amarantus spinosus Daemia extensa

19 Balanites aegyptica Amarantus tricolor Gloriosa superba

20 Bambusa bambos Amberboa indica Ipomoea alba

21 Bauhinia purpurea Ammannia baccifera Ipomoea aquatica

22 Bombex ceiba Anagallis arvensis Ipomoea biloba

23 Borassus flabellifer Andrographis echioides Ipomoea nil

24 Boswellia serrata Andropogon contortus Ipomoea obscura

25 Breynia retusa Andropogon pertusus Ipomoea palmata

26 Bridellia retusa Anethum graveolens Ipomoea pes-tigridis

27 Butea monosperma Anisochilus carnosus Ipomoea quamoclit

28 Cadaba indica Apluda mutica Ipomoea sepiaria

29 Caesalpinia pulcherrima Arachis hypogaea Luffa acutangula

30 Calotropis gigantia Argemone mexicana Luffa cylindrica

31 Calotropis procera Aristida adscensionis Merremia aegyptica

32 Capparis decidua Aristida funiculata Momordica dioca

33 Capparis sepiaria Arthraxon ciliaris Momordica indica

34 Carrisa conjesta Arundinella pumila Mucuna pruriens

35 Cassia auriculata Astracantha longifolia Mukia maderaspatana

36 Cassia fistula Bacopa monnieri Rinchotia minima


37 Casuarina equisetifolia Bambusa bambos Rivea hyporcateriformis

38 Ceiba pentandra Barleria cristata Tylophora indica

39 Ceriops tagal Barleria prionites Vitis trifolia

40 Clerodendron multiflorum Blepharis maderaspatensis Wattakaka volubilis

41 Cocos nucifera Blepheris sindica

42 Commiphora wightii Boerhavia diffusa

43 Cordia dichotoma Boerhavia elegans

44 Cordia gharaf Borreria stricta

45 Dalbergia sissoo Bothriochloa mutica

46 Dalbergia latifolia Brachiaria mutica

47 Delonix elata Brachiaria setigera

48 Dendrocalamus strictus Brassica nigra

49 Derris indica Cajanus cajan

50 Dichrostachys cineria Canavalia ensiformis

51 Diospyros melanoxylon Canscora perfoliata

52 Ehretia aspera Cassia tora

53 Emblica officinalis Catharanthus roseus

54 Erythrina indica Celosia argentea

55 Eucalyptus globulus Celosia cristata

56 Euphorbia neriifolia Cenchrus biflorus

57 Euphorbia tirucalli Cenchrus biflorus

58 Ficus benghalensis Cenchrus setigerus

59 Ficus racemosa Chenopodium album

60 Ficus religiosa Chloris barbata

61 Gmelina arborea Chloris dolichostachya

62 Grewia tenax Chloris virgata

63 Guazuma tomentosa Chrozophora oblique

64 Gymnosporia montana Cleome gynandra

65 Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Cleome viscosa

66 Holarrhena antidysenterica Coix lachryma

67 Hyphaene indica Convolvulus microphyllus

68 Jatropha curcus Corchorus capsularis

69 Lantana camera Corchorus olitorius

70 Lawsonia inermis Corchorus tridens

71 Leucaena leucocephala Corchorus trilocularis

72 Madhuca indica Cressa cretica

73 Mangifera indica Crotalaria leptostachya

74 Manilkara hexandra Crotalaria medicaginea

75 Melia azadirachta Cymbopogon martinii


76 Mimosa cineraria Cynodon dactylon

77 Mimusops elengi Cyperus alopecuroides

78 Mitragyna parvifolia Cyperus arenarius

79 Murraya koenigii Cyperus bulbosus

80 Nerium indicum Cyperus difformis

81 Opuntia elatior Cyperus esculentus

82 Parkinsonia aculeata Cyperus nutans

83 Peltophorum pterocarpum Cyperus rotundus

84 Phoenix sylvestris Cyperus squarrosus

85 Pithecellobium dulce Cythocline purpurea

86 Polyalthia longifolia Dactyloctenium aegypticum

87 Prosopis juliflora Dactyloctenium sindicum

88 Rhizophora mucronata Datura inoxa

89 Salvadora oleoides Datura metel

90 Salvadora persica Dendrocalamus strictus

91 Sapindus laurifolius Dendrophthoe falcata

92 Sterculia urens Dichanthium annulatum

93 Syzygium cumini Digera arvensis

94 Tacoma undulata Digitaria adscendens

95 Tamarindus indica Dinebra retroflexa

96 Tecomella undulata Echinochloa colunum

97 Tectona grandis Echinops echinatus

98 Terminalia arjuna Eclipta alba

99 Terminallia bellirica Eclipta prostrata

100 Thespesia lampas Enicostemma littorale

101 Unidentified Sps Eragrostis ciliaris

102 Vitex negundo Eragrostis pilosa

103 Wrigtia tinctoria Eragrostis tremula

104 Zizyphus jujuba Euphorbia hirta

105 Zizyphus mauritiana Euphorbia microphylla

106 Zizyphus xylopyrus Euphorbia parviflora

107 Evolvulus alsinoides

108 Evolvulus microphyllus

109 Fimbristylis ferruginea

110 Fimbristylis miliacea

111 Gomphrena globosa

112 Goniogyna hirta

113 Gossipium herbecium

114 Helianthus annuus


115 Heliotropium indicum

116 Heliotropium paniculatum

117 Heteropogon contortus

118 Hydrilla verticillata

119 Hygrophila angustifolia

120 Impatiens balsamina

121 Indigofera cordifolia

122 Indigofera tinctoria

123 Ipomoea fistulosa

124 Jasminum multiflorum

125 Justicia procumbens

126 Lemna

127 Lepidagathis trinervis

128 Leucas aspera

129 Lindenbergia abyssinica

130 Ludwigia parviflora

131 Martynia annua

132 Melanocenchris

jacquemontii

133 Mollugo hirta

134 Ocimum basilicum

135 Ocimum sanctum

136 Oldenlandia corymbosa

137 Orchid sp.

138 Oryza sativa

139 Panicum psilopodium

140 Panicum trypheron

141 Parthenium hysterophorus

142 Paspalum longiflorum

143 Pedalium murex

144 Peristophe bicalyculata

145 Phyllanthus maderaspatensis

146 Phyllanthus niruri

147 Physalis maxima

148 Physalis minima

149 Physalis somnifera

150 Pilea microphylla

151 Pistia stratiotes


152 Plumbago zeylanica

153 Polycarpaea corymbosa

154 Polygala chinensis

155 Polygala erioptera

156 Polygonum glabrum

157 Polygonum plebejum

158 Portulaca oleracea

159 Portulaca quadrifida

160 Pulicaria angustifolia

161 Pupalia lappacea

162 Ruellia tuberosa

163 Rungia repens

164 Salicornia brachiata

165 Salvia santolinaefolia

166 Sesuvium portulacastrum

167 Seteria glauca

168 Seteria tomentosa

169 Sida acuta

170 Sida alba

171 Sida cordata

172 Sida cordifolia

173 Sida cordifolia

174 Sida grewioides

175 Sida retusa

176 Sida rhombifolia

177 Solanum nigrum

178 Solanum indicum

179 Solanum xanthocarpum

180 Sorghum vulgare

181 Sphaeranthus indicus

182 Sporobolus coromandellianus

183 Sporobolus virginicus

184 Striga hirsuta

185 Suaeda nudiflora

186 Tephrosea purpurea

187 Tephrosea senticosa

188 Tephrosea villosa

189 Themeda tremula

190 Tragus biflorus


191 Trianthema pentandra

192 Tribulus terrestris

193 Tricholepis amplexicaulis

194 Tricodesma amplexicaule

195 Tridex procumbens

196 Triticum sativum

197 Triumfetta rhombifolia

198 Triumfetta rotundifolia

199 Typha elephantina

200 Urginea indica

201 Urochloa panicoides

202 Vallisneria spiralis

203 Vernonia antihelmintica

204 Vernonia cineria

205 Vicoa indica

206 Vigna trilobata

207 Waltheria indica

208 Withania somnifera

209 Woodfordia fruticosa

210 Woodfordia tomentosa

211 Xanthium strumarium

212 Zea maize


Annexure 3.2

ChecklistofBirdSpeciesandTheirRecordedNumbers

Species

B’na

gar

Gan

devi

Jafaraba

d

Kham

bhat

Kodi

nar

Mah

uva

Raju

la

Una

Asian Koel A B A B AAsian Open Bill A A C B BAlexandrine Parakeet B B C BAsian Paradise-Flycatcher D A DAsian Palm Swift C C C CAshy Crowned Sparrow Lark D A A D A B B AAshy Prinia A B B C A AAlpine Swift C A D C D CBay-Backed Shrike B C B B B B B CBarred Button quail B C B B B BBlue-cheeked Bee eater DBlack Drongo D B C B B B B BBooted Eagle A A A A A ABlack Headed Gull A A A ABlack-Headed Ibis B A D D A B C ABlack Ibis C D C C D C D DBlack Kite A B B B B B B BBrahminy Kite A ABlack Stork BBank Myna D D C D D B CBlack Necked Grebe DBlack-Crowned Night Heron A B B A A ABonelli’s Eagle A A A ABooted Warbler C C A C CBlack Redstart D A BBrown headed gull ABrown Rockchat D A C A A DBlue Rock Thrush B ABlack-Shouldered Kite A A B A B B ABrahminy Starling C D D A BBarn Swallow D D D C D D


Bluethrot Flycatcher A A B A A ABlack Tailed Godwit D A D B BBaya Weaver B C D B D D D DBronze Winged Jacana ABlack-Winged Stilt C A B D B D C BCommon Babbler D C D C C C D CCoppersmith Barbet C B AChestnut-bellied Sandgrouse BCommon Chiff Chaff D B BCommon Crested Lark D CCommon Coot A D C A D D A DCommon Crane B B AComb Duck C D D B C DCattle Egret D D D C CCommon Greeanshank C D C CCommon Hoopoe A B A B B ACommon Iora A CCommon Kesteral C A C CCommon Kingfisher A D ACommon Moorhen A A A A A A ACommon Myna D A D C DCommon Pochard B A B D B BCommon Quail A C BCommon Redshank B D B A BClamorous Reed Warbler C C C C CCurlew Sandpiper A A ACommon Snipe A A AChestnut Shouldred Petronia C C A D C A D CCommon Stonechat A A ACaspian Tern B C B CCommon Sandpiper C B C B B CCommon Tailorbird A A B A ACommon Teal A ACommon Tern A C B A CCommon Woodshrike A A ADarter A A A A ADusky Crag Martin B A B BDemoiselle Crane D D A D D D D


Dalmatian pelican C C CDesert Wheatear B A A C A AEurasian Collared Dove C B A B C C BEuresian Curlew A D BEurasian Golden Oriole A B AEurasian Hobby B A A A AEurasian Marsh Harrier B A A A A AEuresian Spoonbill C D A D D CEurasian Sparrowhawk A A A A AEuresian Thick Knee B B BEgyptian Vulture A A AGreen Bee-Eater D B C D C D BGrey Breasted Prinia A B A B A AGull-Billed Tern B A B C A CGreat Cormorant A AGreat Egret A A B A A B AGray Francolin B C B C B CGreater Flamingo D D D DGrey Heron A A B A A A B BGlossy Ibis B DGrey Necked Bunting A AGray Plover A D A BGraceful Prinia A A A D A AGreater Coucal B A A A B B AGarganey A C C D D CGreen Sandpiper C C A BGreater Sand Plover A B C D A B A CGreater Short Toed Lark BGreat Tit A A A A AGreenish Warbler B A A AGreat White Pelican A DHouse Crow C D C D D B C DHeuglin’s Gull C D DHouse Sparrow D D D D BHouse Swift C B D D D D BIndian Bush Lark B B A B AIndian Cormorant A A B C B BIndian Courser A B B


Imperial Eagle AIntermediate Egret B D B B D B BIndian Nightjar A C C AIndian Peafowl C A D B B C C BIndian Pond Heron A B B C B C CIndian Roller C B A B BIndian Robin C B B B B B B BIndian Silverbill BIsabelline Wheatear A B A A B AJungle Babbler D B D D D D DJungle Bush Quail C C C B D CJungle Prinia B D B BKentish Plover C DLarge-Billed Crow C B B C B B B BLong-Billed Vulture ALittle Cormorant B C D D C C C CLaughing Dove B A C B DLittle Egret C B B D B C C BLesser Florican ALarge Gray Babbler C A A D D ALittle Grebe C D C BLesser Golden-Backed Woodpecker

A A A

long Legged Buzard A A ALittle Ringed Plover D C D A C C ALesser Sand Plover A D D B D D BLittle Stint D D D B A C BLittle Tern A D A B ALong-Tailed Shrike A A A A B ALesser Whistling-Duck C B B B B BLesser Whitethroat B D DMallard B C CMontagu’s Harrier AMarshall’s Iora AMarsh Sandpiper C A C A C C ANorthen Pintail D DNorthen Shoveler B D D DOriental Honey-Buzzard A A A A A


Oriental Magpie Robin C A A A AOriental Skylark B A AOsprey A AOriental Turtle Dove B A AOrphean Warbler BOriental White-Eye A A APied Avocet D DPied Bushchat B A A A A BPied Cuckoo APeregrine Falcon A APainted Francolin B A A A B A APallas’s Gull A BPallid Harrier A APurple Heron A C A B A APlum-Headed Parakeet C D DPied Kingfisher A A B A APaddyfield Pipit B C A B A APlain Prinia A A CPainted Sandgrouse D B BPurple Sunbird B B B C CPintail Snipe A APainted Stork C D C D D C D DPurple Swamphen A C C C A C CPheasant Tailed Jacana A APaddyfield Warbler BRed Collared Dove B A A A CRufous-Fronted Prinia A B A ARed-Headed Vulture B BRed necked Falcon C B ARock Pegion D D D D C D D DRose-Ringed Parakeet C C C D D C CRed Rumped Swallow B A B C CRuddy Shelduck B A A ARosy Starling D C D DRiver Tern C C B D C B C CRed Throted Flycatcher C C A CRufous Tailed Lark C A DRufous Treepie A A A B B A


Rufous-Tailed Shrike B A A ARuff D D D DRed-Vented Bulbul D C C B C C BRed-Wattled Lapwing D B B C D C C CStriated babbler CSpot-Billed Duck C D B D B D DSarus Crane A A A ASpotted Dove C A C AShikra A A A A A A A ASmall Minivet A A A BSpotted Owl A D A ASpotted Redshank A AThick-Billed Flowerpecker A A B ATawny Eagle A A A A ATree Pipit B A C A B B AVariable Wheatear B A A A C AWhite Browed Fantail B A B B AWhite Eyed Buzzard A Awhite-breasted Waterhen A A C A A A AWoolly Necked Stork CWestern Reef Egret A D C A A C AWhite-Rumped Vulture B D A AWood Sandpiper B D B BWhiskered Tern C B C C BWhite Throated Kingfisher A A B A A BWire tailed swallow D A D AWhite Wagtail A A B A AYellow Eyed Babbler B C CYellow-Footed Green Pegion B D D B DYellow Legged Gull AYellow Wagtail A A A B A B A AYellow-Wattled Lapwing B B B B BZitting cisticola D D A B C C

A= 1-2 birds; B= 3 to 5 birds; C= 6 to 10 birds; D= more than 10 birds

Block No. 18, First Floor, Udyog Bhavan, Sector-11, Gandhinagar - 382 017.

Tel. 23257656/23257658/23257659 Fax : 23257657

Website : www.gec.gov.in Email : [email protected] Des

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ECOLOGICAL PROFILE OF COASTAL TALUKAS AROUND GULF OF KHAMBHAT · AROUND GULF OF KHAMBHAT Gujarat Ecology ... Chorasi, Olpad, Hansot, Valsad, Jambusar, Vagra, Dhandhuka, Bhavnagar