Protests by BJP contempt of court, says Congress
AHMEDABAD MIRROR BUREAU 9825045322
State Congress president Siddharth Patel lambasted the BJP for allegedly protecting its ministers in the controversial case. At a media conference on Wednesday in the city which , he addressed with leader of opposition Shaktisinh Gohil, Patel called the rallies a publicity stunt to garner votes.
He said the protests were contempt of court as the CBI was probing the case on Supreme Court’s orders. Not satisfied with the several reported submitted by Gujarat police, the apex court had handed over the investigation to CBI. Therefore, the protest are overruling SC’s order, Patel added.
Patel suggested that if BJP actually wants proper insight into the case, it should approach the Supreme Court rather than protesting against CBI.
He said the state government was trying to cover the involvement of its leaders and ministers by crying foul. An issue of posters displaying abusive words against CBI was also brought to notice. along advertisements in regional dailies. Patel said that those involved in the act must be traced and punished
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Gujarat farmers reap fruits of cashew tree
Gujarat farmers reap fruits of
cashew trees
Drop in average temperature by five degrees has helped Saurashtra farmers grow cashew nuts in the hills of Rajkot, Junagadh and Surendranagar districts
DILIP PATEL 9825045322
Gujarat is traditionally known for its exportquality mangoes. But it may soon make a name in cashew production. A drop in the average temperature in the hilly areas of Saurashtra has helped farmers grow cashew nuts there.
Farmers in the state have always been keen to experiment with crop. They already produce seedless Taiwanese papayas, black tomatoes, violet capsicum, sugarfree potatoes, cashews and square-shaped watermelons.
BOOST IN PRODUCTION
TILL THREE years ago, cashew nuts were also alien to the region. Now, climate change has boosted cashew production here. This time, farmers saw a 30 per cent rise in production of the nuts compared to last year.
K B Kikani, scientist and former vice-chancellor of Junagadh Agriculture University, said, “Temperature has gone down by five degrees over the past few years. Also, good rainfall in the last six years has made cashew cultivation a viable option.”
RENEWED FARMING EFFORTS
THE UNIVERSITY had tried to grow cashew trees fifteen years ago. “However, we did not get the desired results then. We conducted experiments on cashew nut farming in our university farmhouse. We have finally got positive results in terms of growth and production. The hilly areas in Saurashtra is suitable for cashew cultivation,” he said.
Junagadh, Bhavnagar and Rajkot are good places to plant cashew trees, said Kikani. “We have got good results from places where mangoes were earlier cultivated. The temperature in these areas used to be 45 degrees in summer. It has dropped to around 40 degrees now,” added Kikani.
Farmers in Surat, Valsad and Dang districts too are growing cashews that many believe are superior to Goa cashews in terms of taste, whiteness and crunchiness. Two years ago, 6100 hectare of land in this area was used to produce 14,000 tonnes of cashew nuts.
Most cashew plantations in South Gujarat are done on co-operative basis with NGOs, committed to rural development, acting as facilitators to motivate farmers for cashew plantations.
STATE PRODUCTION’S: 17,000 TONNES
DEPUTY DIRECTOR from Department of Horticulture said,. “Last year, the production of cashew nuts in the state was over 17,000 tonnes. Out of this, the best produce in terms of quality was received from Valsad district. This year, more farmers have started growing cashews. About 700 hectare of land was used to grow cashews last year.”
cashew trees
Drop in average temperature by five degrees has helped Saurashtra farmers grow cashew nuts in the hills of Rajkot, Junagadh and Surendranagar districts
DILIP PATEL 9825045322
Gujarat is traditionally known for its exportquality mangoes. But it may soon make a name in cashew production. A drop in the average temperature in the hilly areas of Saurashtra has helped farmers grow cashew nuts there.
Farmers in the state have always been keen to experiment with crop. They already produce seedless Taiwanese papayas, black tomatoes, violet capsicum, sugarfree potatoes, cashews and square-shaped watermelons.
BOOST IN PRODUCTION
TILL THREE years ago, cashew nuts were also alien to the region. Now, climate change has boosted cashew production here. This time, farmers saw a 30 per cent rise in production of the nuts compared to last year.
K B Kikani, scientist and former vice-chancellor of Junagadh Agriculture University, said, “Temperature has gone down by five degrees over the past few years. Also, good rainfall in the last six years has made cashew cultivation a viable option.”
RENEWED FARMING EFFORTS
THE UNIVERSITY had tried to grow cashew trees fifteen years ago. “However, we did not get the desired results then. We conducted experiments on cashew nut farming in our university farmhouse. We have finally got positive results in terms of growth and production. The hilly areas in Saurashtra is suitable for cashew cultivation,” he said.
Junagadh, Bhavnagar and Rajkot are good places to plant cashew trees, said Kikani. “We have got good results from places where mangoes were earlier cultivated. The temperature in these areas used to be 45 degrees in summer. It has dropped to around 40 degrees now,” added Kikani.
Farmers in Surat, Valsad and Dang districts too are growing cashews that many believe are superior to Goa cashews in terms of taste, whiteness and crunchiness. Two years ago, 6100 hectare of land in this area was used to produce 14,000 tonnes of cashew nuts.
Most cashew plantations in South Gujarat are done on co-operative basis with NGOs, committed to rural development, acting as facilitators to motivate farmers for cashew plantations.
STATE PRODUCTION’S: 17,000 TONNES
DEPUTY DIRECTOR from Department of Horticulture said,. “Last year, the production of cashew nuts in the state was over 17,000 tonnes. Out of this, the best produce in terms of quality was received from Valsad district. This year, more farmers have started growing cashews. About 700 hectare of land was used to grow cashews last year.”
Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) ahmedabad
YMCA International Centre will come up on an area of 4 lakh sq ft on SG Highway
DILIP PATEL 9825045322
Atrack for joggers, a gymnasium, a western spa, a stadium for indoor games, swimming pools, a discotheque, plush rooms, a banquet hall, a minitheatre — all this and probably more at one place.
The Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) has started work on what is being trumpeted as mother of all clubs.
The club, christened YMCA International Centre, will come up on the organisation’s sprawling plot on SG Highway. “Construction work has begun. We expect the place to be ready within 16 months,” the secretary of YMCA and chairman of its cultural committee, Charul Vakta, said. “We focused on the tastes of youngsters and foreign tourists while preparing its design.”
He said that the four-storey club would be spread over 4 lakh sq feet. “A banquet hall will come up on an area of 20,000 sq ft. It will be the largest such hall in the city,” Vakta said. “There will also be a lawn on 1 lakh sq ft space.”
This ambitious project, whose design has been prepared by UK-based firm Lewis & Hickey, will require an investment of Rs 100 crore. It promises to add to the appeal of SG Highway.
“With more than 30 rooms and six suites, YMCA International Centre will vie for a major share of foreign tourists arriving in the city,” he said.
The YMCA secretary said that the organisation was examining the possibility of building a hotel behind its plot on SG Highway.
“There are no concrete plans at present. We will explore options after the international centre is ready,” he said.
HOST OF FACILITIES
THE CLUB, which will be affiliated to 15,000 YMCA centres and clubs across the world, will have a host of facilities.
It will have a basement parking for a staggering 1,000 cars. It will have a gym and four swimming pools for kids and adults. One of the pools, interestingly, will be reserved for women. There will be a stadium for indoor games and sports such as table tennis, volleyball, basketball, badminton and billiards.
A discotheque will be constructed on an area of 4,000 sq feet. “There will also be a dining room for guests, a western spa and a 150-seat movie hall,” Vakta said.
IN DA CLUB
A track for joggers A gymnasium A western spa A stadium for indoor games 34 plush rooms A banquet hall A dinning hall A 150-seat theatre 4 swimming pools A discotheque
DILIP PATEL 9825045322
Atrack for joggers, a gymnasium, a western spa, a stadium for indoor games, swimming pools, a discotheque, plush rooms, a banquet hall, a minitheatre — all this and probably more at one place.
The Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) has started work on what is being trumpeted as mother of all clubs.
The club, christened YMCA International Centre, will come up on the organisation’s sprawling plot on SG Highway. “Construction work has begun. We expect the place to be ready within 16 months,” the secretary of YMCA and chairman of its cultural committee, Charul Vakta, said. “We focused on the tastes of youngsters and foreign tourists while preparing its design.”
He said that the four-storey club would be spread over 4 lakh sq feet. “A banquet hall will come up on an area of 20,000 sq ft. It will be the largest such hall in the city,” Vakta said. “There will also be a lawn on 1 lakh sq ft space.”
This ambitious project, whose design has been prepared by UK-based firm Lewis & Hickey, will require an investment of Rs 100 crore. It promises to add to the appeal of SG Highway.
“With more than 30 rooms and six suites, YMCA International Centre will vie for a major share of foreign tourists arriving in the city,” he said.
The YMCA secretary said that the organisation was examining the possibility of building a hotel behind its plot on SG Highway.
“There are no concrete plans at present. We will explore options after the international centre is ready,” he said.
HOST OF FACILITIES
THE CLUB, which will be affiliated to 15,000 YMCA centres and clubs across the world, will have a host of facilities.
It will have a basement parking for a staggering 1,000 cars. It will have a gym and four swimming pools for kids and adults. One of the pools, interestingly, will be reserved for women. There will be a stadium for indoor games and sports such as table tennis, volleyball, basketball, badminton and billiards.
A discotheque will be constructed on an area of 4,000 sq feet. “There will also be a dining room for guests, a western spa and a 150-seat movie hall,” Vakta said.
IN DA CLUB
A track for joggers A gymnasium A western spa A stadium for indoor games 34 plush rooms A banquet hall A dinning hall A 150-seat theatre 4 swimming pools A discotheque
Census hits map hurdle gujarat
Faulty maps miss houses, lead to unequal distribution of survey work
DILIP PATEL
Shifted to a new house recently but not emunerated yet though the first phase of the Census involving house survey is over half-way through in Ahmedabad? Blame it on erroneous survey maps supplied by Bhaskaracharya Institute of Space in Gandhinagar, not the surveyors.
The maps, known as blocks in Census parlance, may have missed out on spotting your new home. Reason: Use of old satellite data while making the blocks.
The Directorate of Census Operations Gujarat had given the responsibility of making the blocks, each comprising 125-150 houses, to Bhaskaracharya Institute of Space in 2008. Two years on, the institute handed over the maps, including all the wards of the city, to the Census directorate in January, 2010 with errors.
Several new houses were left out. Some societies were also not included in the maps, leading to confusion among the surveyors.
That’s not all. Unequal distribution of houses in blocks have left some surveyors jittery. While a lucky few have got blocks comprising just 60 houses, unfortunate ones have maps comprising 600 houses. Some maps do not bear the break-up of houses in a particular block.
Census in charge, Ahmedabad, DP Shah said: “We have received complaints on houses going missing in maps. A few blocks have more houses, some too few.”
Shah said the erroneous maps have overburdened some of the surveyors. “We have received complaints on unequal distribution of survey work. Officers in charge of areas concerned have been instructed to sort out these problems and divide the emuneration work equally.”
Shah said: “Possibly old satellite data was used while creating the maps. Several new houses have come up in the 43 old wards over the past three years. Mostly, they are missing in the blocks.”
Sources in the Census directorate said Bhaskaracharya Institute of Space was supposed to create maps linking every ward. “But it has failed to so. Naturally, a few societies have gone missing,” a source said.
Repeated attempts to contact Bhaskaracharya Institute of Space officials went in vain.
DILIP PATEL
Shifted to a new house recently but not emunerated yet though the first phase of the Census involving house survey is over half-way through in Ahmedabad? Blame it on erroneous survey maps supplied by Bhaskaracharya Institute of Space in Gandhinagar, not the surveyors.
The maps, known as blocks in Census parlance, may have missed out on spotting your new home. Reason: Use of old satellite data while making the blocks.
The Directorate of Census Operations Gujarat had given the responsibility of making the blocks, each comprising 125-150 houses, to Bhaskaracharya Institute of Space in 2008. Two years on, the institute handed over the maps, including all the wards of the city, to the Census directorate in January, 2010 with errors.
Several new houses were left out. Some societies were also not included in the maps, leading to confusion among the surveyors.
That’s not all. Unequal distribution of houses in blocks have left some surveyors jittery. While a lucky few have got blocks comprising just 60 houses, unfortunate ones have maps comprising 600 houses. Some maps do not bear the break-up of houses in a particular block.
Census in charge, Ahmedabad, DP Shah said: “We have received complaints on houses going missing in maps. A few blocks have more houses, some too few.”
Shah said the erroneous maps have overburdened some of the surveyors. “We have received complaints on unequal distribution of survey work. Officers in charge of areas concerned have been instructed to sort out these problems and divide the emuneration work equally.”
Shah said: “Possibly old satellite data was used while creating the maps. Several new houses have come up in the 43 old wards over the past three years. Mostly, they are missing in the blocks.”
Sources in the Census directorate said Bhaskaracharya Institute of Space was supposed to create maps linking every ward. “But it has failed to so. Naturally, a few societies have gone missing,” a source said.
Repeated attempts to contact Bhaskaracharya Institute of Space officials went in vain.
wildlife at all the 22 sanctuaries
Super shield for wildlife
Eco-sensitive zones to protect wildlife at all the 22 sanctuaries, including Nal Sarovar, in Gujarat
DILIP PATEL
In a bid to protect wildlife, the state government has decided to develop eco-sensitive zones on the periphery of all the 22 sanctuaries in Gujarat.
The proposals to develop the environmentfriendly zones along the perimeter of Girnar, Narayan Sarovar, Purna, Ratanmahal and Jambughoda sanctuaries have been sent to the Centre. Plans are afoot to develop similar shields for birds and animals at Nal Sarovar, Marine National Park and Gir sanctuary.
Environment and Forests Department Secretary SK Nanda said: “Migratory birds come to Nal Sarovar every year. In a bid to protect them, we will develop eco-friendly zone on its periphery.”
The eco-sensitive zone will stretch between 2 km and 10 km along the perimeter of the bird sanctuary near Ahmedabad. Nanda said a survey would be conducted around Nal Sarovar to check the pollution level. Based on that, a proposal would be drafted and sent to the Centre, said Nanda.
The eco-sensitive zones are being developed along the sanctuaries to protect the wildlife from industrial pollution. “Mining and triggering blasts using dynamites are a strict no-no in eco sensitive zones. As houses and industries cannot be built in those areas, water and air near the sanctuaries will remain clean,” Nanda said.
Admitting that colonies near Nal Sarovar, or for that matter near any sanctuary, would be a threat to wildlife, Nanda said: “Societies should not be developed near any sanctuary. They can lead to air and water pollution.”
Sources said Regional Forest Officer of Nal Sarovar had sent a proposal on developing the eco-sensitive zone on its periphery two years ago. But the forest department had rejected it because it had earmarked 1-km area under the zone in some areas. “The forest department had instructed him to redo the plan because the zone should stretch at least 2 km. But no new proposal has been drafted yet,” said a source
Eco-sensitive zones to protect wildlife at all the 22 sanctuaries, including Nal Sarovar, in Gujarat
DILIP PATEL
In a bid to protect wildlife, the state government has decided to develop eco-sensitive zones on the periphery of all the 22 sanctuaries in Gujarat.
The proposals to develop the environmentfriendly zones along the perimeter of Girnar, Narayan Sarovar, Purna, Ratanmahal and Jambughoda sanctuaries have been sent to the Centre. Plans are afoot to develop similar shields for birds and animals at Nal Sarovar, Marine National Park and Gir sanctuary.
Environment and Forests Department Secretary SK Nanda said: “Migratory birds come to Nal Sarovar every year. In a bid to protect them, we will develop eco-friendly zone on its periphery.”
The eco-sensitive zone will stretch between 2 km and 10 km along the perimeter of the bird sanctuary near Ahmedabad. Nanda said a survey would be conducted around Nal Sarovar to check the pollution level. Based on that, a proposal would be drafted and sent to the Centre, said Nanda.
The eco-sensitive zones are being developed along the sanctuaries to protect the wildlife from industrial pollution. “Mining and triggering blasts using dynamites are a strict no-no in eco sensitive zones. As houses and industries cannot be built in those areas, water and air near the sanctuaries will remain clean,” Nanda said.
Admitting that colonies near Nal Sarovar, or for that matter near any sanctuary, would be a threat to wildlife, Nanda said: “Societies should not be developed near any sanctuary. They can lead to air and water pollution.”
Sources said Regional Forest Officer of Nal Sarovar had sent a proposal on developing the eco-sensitive zone on its periphery two years ago. But the forest department had rejected it because it had earmarked 1-km area under the zone in some areas. “The forest department had instructed him to redo the plan because the zone should stretch at least 2 km. But no new proposal has been drafted yet,” said a source
MUNNA MEETS MODI
MUNNA MEETS MODI
Actor discusses his plans for setting up a film city in Gujarat with the chief minister
AHMEDABAD MIRROR BUREAU
After Amitabh Bachchan, another star has reached out to Narendra Modi. Actor-cum-neta Sanjay Dutt met the chief minister on Monday to discuss his plans for setting up a film city in Gujarat. At the end of their hour-long meeting at Modi’s office in New Sachivalaya, Gandhinagar, the munnabhai gave Modi a jaadu ki jhappi.
Dutt, along with his Chicago-based family friend Paresh Ghelani, wants to set up a film city as grand as studios of MGM and Universal. He conveyed this desire to Modi, who then proposed Kutch as the ideal location for the project. Dutt, 50, welcomed the suggestion, but sought time to examine the feasibility of setting up a film city in the arid region.
“The chief minister has proposed Kutch, which has many scenic sites, as the location for the project. He said that the Gujarat government would offer all possible support for the venture,” Dutt told reporters outside block number 1 of New Sachivalaya. “Ghelani and I will see whether Kutch is the ideal place or Saurashtra.”
When asked about the money he was willing to put into the project, he said he was yet to take a decision. During his meeting with Modi, he saw a video presentation on Gujarat’s development and key projects, including the Sabarmati Riverfront.
“Gujarat is a fast-growing state. A lot of industrial development is taking place here. The chief minister is a visionary,” the actor
Actor discusses his plans for setting up a film city in Gujarat with the chief minister
AHMEDABAD MIRROR BUREAU
After Amitabh Bachchan, another star has reached out to Narendra Modi. Actor-cum-neta Sanjay Dutt met the chief minister on Monday to discuss his plans for setting up a film city in Gujarat. At the end of their hour-long meeting at Modi’s office in New Sachivalaya, Gandhinagar, the munnabhai gave Modi a jaadu ki jhappi.
Dutt, along with his Chicago-based family friend Paresh Ghelani, wants to set up a film city as grand as studios of MGM and Universal. He conveyed this desire to Modi, who then proposed Kutch as the ideal location for the project. Dutt, 50, welcomed the suggestion, but sought time to examine the feasibility of setting up a film city in the arid region.
“The chief minister has proposed Kutch, which has many scenic sites, as the location for the project. He said that the Gujarat government would offer all possible support for the venture,” Dutt told reporters outside block number 1 of New Sachivalaya. “Ghelani and I will see whether Kutch is the ideal place or Saurashtra.”
When asked about the money he was willing to put into the project, he said he was yet to take a decision. During his meeting with Modi, he saw a video presentation on Gujarat’s development and key projects, including the Sabarmati Riverfront.
“Gujarat is a fast-growing state. A lot of industrial development is taking place here. The chief minister is a visionary,” the actor
NO MAN’S ISLAND marin
NO MAN’S ISLAND
Forest department bans tourists from visiting famed Pirotan island after widespread damage to corals
DILIP PATEL
The state Forest Department has finally bitten the bullet. The ecologically fragile Pirotan island in the Bay of Kutch is offlimits for tourists.
The 5000-odd eco-tourists who visit the island every year, mostly in the winter months, will have to now be content with Narara island, said Forest and Environment Secretary S K Nanda.
“Many visitors prefer to walk on the sea bed to get a better view and feel of the corals. While they experience it first hand, they damage the soft corals. Once damaged, it takes nearly 50 years to form coral polyps,” Nanda said. The island will remain open to researchers, however, Nanda said.
Disappointed eco-tourists can take heart from the fact that they will be allowed to go to Narara island, about 18 nautical miles from Pirotan island. Tourists usually go to Bedi port, about 7 km from Jamnagar, to travel to Pirotan. Narara can be accessed from Vadinar port, about 7 km away.
“Narara island offers quite diverse marine life. Tourists will get to see almost identical eco-system. Besides, it is easily accessible as they can walk over to the island during low tide,” Nanda said.
According to marine officials, the decision to close Pirotan for tourists was taken after widespread damage to the eco-system was reported by experts.
“Tourists generally spend up to 12 hours on the island once they cross over to it. They have to wait for the next high tide to return. As they have ample time at their command, they walk on the beach and in the shallow waters, damaging the fragile corals,” Deputy Conservator of Forest P H Sata said.
Narara has been kept open because tourists can return to the mainland after spending a couple of hours.
“No tourist for Pirotan is good news for corals formation and preservation,” Sata said.
Incidentally, the state government is jointly implementing a federal and World Bank project aimed at restoration of coral reefs and mangrove forests at a cost of Rs 350 crore.
THE ISLANDS
PIROTAN AND Narara are among the 42 coral islands within the Marine National Park in the Bay of Kutch, off Jamnagar. The park is spread over 162 sq km while 457 sq km area is declared a sanctuary. A total of 712 sq km area is treated as protected area.
NARARA:
It is one of the important tourists’ destinations. Although Narara is an island, it is well connected with the mainland. It is also known for its vast inter-tidal zone, facilitating viewing of marine invertebrates. It is a good nature education site.
PIROTAN:
It is another tourist attraction where all kinds of invertebrates are easily visible. Tourists have to wait for high tide to reach the island by boat from the creeks (20 nautical miles). There is a time gap of 12 hours between two high tides in a day. Therefore, once tourists cross the creek to the island, they are able to return only during next tide after about 12 hours.
FLORA:
Six species of mangroves, several species of herbs, grasses and shrubs and 120 species of algae.
FAUNA:
Colourful sponges and corals (see pictures) including 42 hard coral and 10 soft coral species, sea anemones, jelly fishes, sea horse, octopus, pearl oyster, sabela, starfish, bonellia, sepia, lobster, crabs, prawns, sea turtles, dolphin, dugong, porpoise, shark, etc.
MANGROVE FOREST:
The mangroves grow in saline soils in the coastal areas along the shores. They survive in difficult conditions of high salinity, low oxygen and nutrient availability in the soil, wind and wave action and substrate instability.
Forest department bans tourists from visiting famed Pirotan island after widespread damage to corals
DILIP PATEL
The state Forest Department has finally bitten the bullet. The ecologically fragile Pirotan island in the Bay of Kutch is offlimits for tourists.
The 5000-odd eco-tourists who visit the island every year, mostly in the winter months, will have to now be content with Narara island, said Forest and Environment Secretary S K Nanda.
“Many visitors prefer to walk on the sea bed to get a better view and feel of the corals. While they experience it first hand, they damage the soft corals. Once damaged, it takes nearly 50 years to form coral polyps,” Nanda said. The island will remain open to researchers, however, Nanda said.
Disappointed eco-tourists can take heart from the fact that they will be allowed to go to Narara island, about 18 nautical miles from Pirotan island. Tourists usually go to Bedi port, about 7 km from Jamnagar, to travel to Pirotan. Narara can be accessed from Vadinar port, about 7 km away.
“Narara island offers quite diverse marine life. Tourists will get to see almost identical eco-system. Besides, it is easily accessible as they can walk over to the island during low tide,” Nanda said.
According to marine officials, the decision to close Pirotan for tourists was taken after widespread damage to the eco-system was reported by experts.
“Tourists generally spend up to 12 hours on the island once they cross over to it. They have to wait for the next high tide to return. As they have ample time at their command, they walk on the beach and in the shallow waters, damaging the fragile corals,” Deputy Conservator of Forest P H Sata said.
Narara has been kept open because tourists can return to the mainland after spending a couple of hours.
“No tourist for Pirotan is good news for corals formation and preservation,” Sata said.
Incidentally, the state government is jointly implementing a federal and World Bank project aimed at restoration of coral reefs and mangrove forests at a cost of Rs 350 crore.
THE ISLANDS
PIROTAN AND Narara are among the 42 coral islands within the Marine National Park in the Bay of Kutch, off Jamnagar. The park is spread over 162 sq km while 457 sq km area is declared a sanctuary. A total of 712 sq km area is treated as protected area.
NARARA:
It is one of the important tourists’ destinations. Although Narara is an island, it is well connected with the mainland. It is also known for its vast inter-tidal zone, facilitating viewing of marine invertebrates. It is a good nature education site.
PIROTAN:
It is another tourist attraction where all kinds of invertebrates are easily visible. Tourists have to wait for high tide to reach the island by boat from the creeks (20 nautical miles). There is a time gap of 12 hours between two high tides in a day. Therefore, once tourists cross the creek to the island, they are able to return only during next tide after about 12 hours.
FLORA:
Six species of mangroves, several species of herbs, grasses and shrubs and 120 species of algae.
FAUNA:
Colourful sponges and corals (see pictures) including 42 hard coral and 10 soft coral species, sea anemones, jelly fishes, sea horse, octopus, pearl oyster, sabela, starfish, bonellia, sepia, lobster, crabs, prawns, sea turtles, dolphin, dugong, porpoise, shark, etc.
MANGROVE FOREST:
The mangroves grow in saline soils in the coastal areas along the shores. They survive in difficult conditions of high salinity, low oxygen and nutrient availability in the soil, wind and wave action and substrate instability.
Forest department bans tourists from visiting famed Pirotan island after widespread damage to corals
DILIP PATEL
The state Forest Department has finally bitten the bullet. The ecologically fragile Pirotan island in the Bay of Kutch is offlimits for tourists.
The 5000-odd eco-tourists who visit the island every year, mostly in the winter months, will have to now be content with Narara island, said Forest and Environment Secretary S K Nanda.
“Many visitors prefer to walk on the sea bed to get a better view and feel of the corals. While they experience it first hand, they damage the soft corals. Once damaged, it takes nearly 50 years to form coral polyps,” Nanda said. The island will remain open to researchers, however, Nanda said.
Disappointed eco-tourists can take heart from the fact that they will be allowed to go to Narara island, about 18 nautical miles from Pirotan island. Tourists usually go to Bedi port, about 7 km from Jamnagar, to travel to Pirotan. Narara can be accessed from Vadinar port, about 7 km away.
“Narara island offers quite diverse marine life. Tourists will get to see almost identical eco-system. Besides, it is easily accessible as they can walk over to the island during low tide,” Nanda said.
According to marine officials, the decision to close Pirotan for tourists was taken after widespread damage to the eco-system was reported by experts.
“Tourists generally spend up to 12 hours on the island once they cross over to it. They have to wait for the next high tide to return. As they have ample time at their command, they walk on the beach and in the shallow waters, damaging the fragile corals,” Deputy Conservator of Forest P H Sata said.
Narara has been kept open because tourists can return to the mainland after spending a couple of hours.
“No tourist for Pirotan is good news for corals formation and preservation,” Sata said.
Incidentally, the state government is jointly implementing a federal and World Bank project aimed at restoration of coral reefs and mangrove forests at a cost of Rs 350 crore.
THE ISLANDS
PIROTAN AND Narara are among the 42 coral islands within the Marine National Park in the Bay of Kutch, off Jamnagar. The park is spread over 162 sq km while 457 sq km area is declared a sanctuary. A total of 712 sq km area is treated as protected area.
NARARA:
It is one of the important tourists’ destinations. Although Narara is an island, it is well connected with the mainland. It is also known for its vast inter-tidal zone, facilitating viewing of marine invertebrates. It is a good nature education site.
PIROTAN:
It is another tourist attraction where all kinds of invertebrates are easily visible. Tourists have to wait for high tide to reach the island by boat from the creeks (20 nautical miles). There is a time gap of 12 hours between two high tides in a day. Therefore, once tourists cross the creek to the island, they are able to return only during next tide after about 12 hours.
FLORA:
Six species of mangroves, several species of herbs, grasses and shrubs and 120 species of algae.
FAUNA:
Colourful sponges and corals (see pictures) including 42 hard coral and 10 soft coral species, sea anemones, jelly fishes, sea horse, octopus, pearl oyster, sabela, starfish, bonellia, sepia, lobster, crabs, prawns, sea turtles, dolphin, dugong, porpoise, shark, etc.
MANGROVE FOREST:
The mangroves grow in saline soils in the coastal areas along the shores. They survive in difficult conditions of high salinity, low oxygen and nutrient availability in the soil, wind and wave action and substrate instability.
Forest department bans tourists from visiting famed Pirotan island after widespread damage to corals
DILIP PATEL
The state Forest Department has finally bitten the bullet. The ecologically fragile Pirotan island in the Bay of Kutch is offlimits for tourists.
The 5000-odd eco-tourists who visit the island every year, mostly in the winter months, will have to now be content with Narara island, said Forest and Environment Secretary S K Nanda.
“Many visitors prefer to walk on the sea bed to get a better view and feel of the corals. While they experience it first hand, they damage the soft corals. Once damaged, it takes nearly 50 years to form coral polyps,” Nanda said. The island will remain open to researchers, however, Nanda said.
Disappointed eco-tourists can take heart from the fact that they will be allowed to go to Narara island, about 18 nautical miles from Pirotan island. Tourists usually go to Bedi port, about 7 km from Jamnagar, to travel to Pirotan. Narara can be accessed from Vadinar port, about 7 km away.
“Narara island offers quite diverse marine life. Tourists will get to see almost identical eco-system. Besides, it is easily accessible as they can walk over to the island during low tide,” Nanda said.
According to marine officials, the decision to close Pirotan for tourists was taken after widespread damage to the eco-system was reported by experts.
“Tourists generally spend up to 12 hours on the island once they cross over to it. They have to wait for the next high tide to return. As they have ample time at their command, they walk on the beach and in the shallow waters, damaging the fragile corals,” Deputy Conservator of Forest P H Sata said.
Narara has been kept open because tourists can return to the mainland after spending a couple of hours.
“No tourist for Pirotan is good news for corals formation and preservation,” Sata said.
Incidentally, the state government is jointly implementing a federal and World Bank project aimed at restoration of coral reefs and mangrove forests at a cost of Rs 350 crore.
THE ISLANDS
PIROTAN AND Narara are among the 42 coral islands within the Marine National Park in the Bay of Kutch, off Jamnagar. The park is spread over 162 sq km while 457 sq km area is declared a sanctuary. A total of 712 sq km area is treated as protected area.
NARARA:
It is one of the important tourists’ destinations. Although Narara is an island, it is well connected with the mainland. It is also known for its vast inter-tidal zone, facilitating viewing of marine invertebrates. It is a good nature education site.
PIROTAN:
It is another tourist attraction where all kinds of invertebrates are easily visible. Tourists have to wait for high tide to reach the island by boat from the creeks (20 nautical miles). There is a time gap of 12 hours between two high tides in a day. Therefore, once tourists cross the creek to the island, they are able to return only during next tide after about 12 hours.
FLORA:
Six species of mangroves, several species of herbs, grasses and shrubs and 120 species of algae.
FAUNA:
Colourful sponges and corals (see pictures) including 42 hard coral and 10 soft coral species, sea anemones, jelly fishes, sea horse, octopus, pearl oyster, sabela, starfish, bonellia, sepia, lobster, crabs, prawns, sea turtles, dolphin, dugong, porpoise, shark, etc.
MANGROVE FOREST:
The mangroves grow in saline soils in the coastal areas along the shores. They survive in difficult conditions of high salinity, low oxygen and nutrient availability in the soil, wind and wave action and substrate instability.
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