Kutch : The Gujarat Biodiversity Board has declared an area of ​​32.78 hectares in Guneri village of Lakhpat taluka in Kutch as a ‘Biodiversity Heritage Site’. The ‘Inland Mangrove Guneri’ site located at Guneri in Lakhpat taluka of Kutch district has been declared as the first ‘Biodiversity Heritage Site’ of Gujarat.

Mangroves are mainly found along the coast where water flows in and out once every 24 hours, and where there is constant swampiness, i.e. mud. But the mangrove at Guneri, located 45 km from the Arabian Sea and 4 km from Kori Creek, never receives water, nor is it muddy or swampy, but is spread like a mangrove forest on a flat land of 32.78 hectares, which is a unique feature in itself. The government opined that it is very important for people to know about the special and unique place of mangroves spread like a forest on such a flat land, so that its conservation and enhancement can be ensured. The Gujarat government, taking into account the recommendation of the Gujarat Biodiversity Board, has declared the “Inland Mangrove Guneri” site of Lakhpat taluka of Kutch district as Gujarat’s first “Biodiversity Heritage Site”. Flora and fauna here will be protected and enhanced through the management plan of the Gujarat Biodiversity Board.

In addition, the rights and privileges of the locals will be respected. In addition, biodiversity will be protected and enhanced through capacity building training of locals, forest department employees and local forest and tribal people, the notification of the Forest and Environment Department has stated.