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In 2024, the Gujarat government declared the Inland Mangrove of Guneri, located in Kutch district, as the first Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS) of the state under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. The declaration followed a recommendation by the Gujarat Biodiversity Board.

Key Features of Guneri Inland Mangroves:

• Location: Guneri village, Lakhtar tehsil, Kutch district, Gujarat.
• Area: 32.78 hectares.
• Distance from Sea: ~45 km from the Arabian Sea; ~4 km from Kori Creek.
• Nature: Inland (non-coastal) mangrove ecosystem — one of only eight such sites globally and the last remaining in India.
• Terrain: Flat land resembling a forest; no tidal influence or sludge typically seen in coastal mangroves.
• Water Source: Sustained by groundwater retained in limestone deposits; no direct contact with seawater.

Ecological and Geological Significance:

• Possibly originated from:
  • Miocene marine transgression, or
  • Along the ancient Saraswati River, believed to have flowed in the Great Rann of Kutch around 3000–4000 BCE.
• Limestone formations in western Kutch provide continuous subsurface water flow, enabling survival of this unique mangrove system.

Biodiversity:

• Habitat to:
  • 20 migratory bird species
  • 25 resident migratory avifaunal species
• Acts as a vital ecosystem for local and seasonal wildlife.

Mangroves in India – 2024 Snapshot:

• As per the “Red List of Mangrove Ecosystems” (May 22, 2024):
  • India has 3% of South Asia’s mangrove cover.
  • Total mangrove area: 4,975 sq km (0.15% of India's land area).
  • Increase: 54 sq km (1.10%) since last assessment.
  • State-wise share:
    • West Bengal: 42.45% (notably South 24 Parganas & Sundarbans)
    • Gujarat: 23.66% (with highest increase: 37 sq km)
    • Andaman & Nicobar Islands: 12.39%

Legal Framework:

• Declared under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, which empowers state governments to notify BHS after consulting local self-government bodies.
• A local Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC), including representatives from self-governance institutions, will oversee protection and conservation.
• This provides a formal structure for site management, previously absent.

Conservation Measures:

• Training programs for local and tribal communities along with forest officials.
• A management plan will be implemented to preserve the unique flora and fauna.