Gujarat government signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with Nayara Energy, a Russia-backed Indian refinery, aimed at restoring and conserving the Khijadia Bird Sanctuary, a Ramsar site located in the Jamnagar district. This initiative will focus on improving the ecological health of the wetlands and promoting eco-tourism.
Key Highlights of Agreement
Financial Aid for Conservation:
- Nayara Energy will provide ₹12 crore over three years to support the restoration and conservation of the Khijadia Bird Sanctuary.
- This funding will improve the sanctuary’s wetland ecosystem, enhance biodiversity, and encourage local community participation in wetland management activities.
Project Objectives:
- Ecological and Hydrological Restoration: Improving the environmental health of the wetlands and reducing pressure on biodiversity.
- Eco-Tourism Development: Promoting sustainable tourism to attract visitors and raise awareness.
- Capacity Building: Enhancing local skills related to wetland conservation and encouraging community engagement.
- Infrastructure Development: Developing conservation infrastructure to aid in biodiversity protection.
About Khijadia Bird Sanctuary
Ramsar Site: Khijadia Bird Sanctuary is a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
Biodiversity:
- The sanctuary hosts 321 bird species, including 125 waterbirds, and supports diverse flora and fauna.
- It is home to 185 plant species, 23 species of butterflies, 21 types of dragonflies, 9 mammal species, and various reptiles, fish, and amphibians.
Eco-Sensitive Zones: The sanctuary is surrounded by five eco-sensitive villages – Khijadiya, Dhuvav, Jambuda, Sachana, and Vibhapar, located 1-3 kilometers away.
MoU: Educational Initiative
In addition to conservation agreement, a second MoU was signed with Vidya Samiksha Kendra of Gujarat’s education department. Key highlights include:
- Books Distribution: Nayara Energy will provide 3.75 lakh books for children in 1,300 government-run anganwadis in Jamnagar and Devbhumi Dwarka districts.
- Digital Learning Enhancement: The initiative will utilize a digital platform to improve access to online reading materials.
Teacher Training: Teachers will be trained in library management and the use of open-source digital libraries to enhance classroom learning with digital reading tools.