Meharun lake& Landorkhori in Jalgaon:Bio-diversity Heritage Site

 Bio-diversity Significance of Landorkhori and Meharun Lake as per Bio-diversity Act-2002...

India’s Bio-diversity Act came into existence in 2002 when both the houses of parliament ratified it. Among other things, it put forth a framework under which access to biological resources, and related knowledge could from then on be regulated. It also brought with it some broad clauses that mandated central and state governments to take measures towards the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. Any access would also need to go hand-in hand with determining equitable sharing of benefits.

An important conservation measure proposed in section-37 of the Act is the one which gives power to state government to declare areas of biodiversity importance as Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS). The declaration has to be in consultation with local bodies, which can include Panchayats, District Councils, Urban Wards or even Bio-diversity Management Committees (BMC) as proposed to be set up under the BD Act.   

The Maharashtra Government also formulated Maharashtra Biological Diversity Rules-2008 as per sub section (I) of section 63 of the Biological Diversity Act-2002.

The Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board has been notified  'Glory of Allapalli', a dense forest patch in Naxal-affected Gadchiroli district as first biodiversity heritage site in Maharashtra on March-2013 under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, that empowers state government to notify areas of biodiversity importance as biodiversity heritage sites (BHS) in consultation with local bodies.

The School of Environment, a Jalgaon based voluntary organization run by Samarpan Sanstha initiates the proposal for giving the status of Bio-diversity Heritage Site to the historical Meharun Lake along with Landorkhori Reserve Forest and adjoining Shivaji Garden as per section-37 of the Bio-diversity Act-2002 and the Maharashtra Biological Diversity Rules-2008.

Importance of Jalgaon city;

 

Jalgaon City in Maharashtra is a place of rich biodiversity and land of high species of flora and fauna as well as of agro bio-diversity. The location of Jalgaon city is on the right bank of the river Girna. The area surrounding the city has a general slope from south to north. Jalgaon includes varied topographical features like landscapes consisting of wild hills and forests, rich gardens and groves, stretch of barren plains. There are some hilly areas on the south side and the south-west side;  which are also covered by dense forest patches like Landor Khori, Hanumant Khore, Eklagana, Dhanvad forest & Vaghur Dam forest etc; and Meharun Lake suited on 180 acre is the crown of the city. The Meharun Lake is adjacent to the beautiful Chhatrapati Shivaji Park and Landorkhori Forest and its wildlife by virtue of their magnificence. The local environmental groups & birds watchers like Abhay Ujagre, Ganesh Sonar, Rahul Sonawarne and others has been  recorded 190 species  of bird including water birds in and around Meharun Lake. About 24 species of Mammals & wild animals recorded in Landorkhori reserve forest and surrounding forest patches. The Meharun Lake is a vital water source for the wildlife species that inhabit in Landorkhori forest and around forest area. In early days Meharun Lake was the main water source of the people of Jalgaon city also.

     The natural plantation of Bori—(Zizyphus Jujube) tree from old ages is very significant, the particular species of Bori is really unique. The fruit is largely eaten and the bark is used for tanning. It is a good host to the lac insects. The fruit can be generally improved by grafting.

    Unfortunately the data & information of bio-diversity & wildlife in Landorkhori, Meharun Lake & surrounding forest area is not collected and maintained properly. Some efforts were made on individual level and some data can be obtained from forest department and NGOs. This is the need of the hour to make systematic and collective efforts for saving the bio-diversity of Landorkhori & Mehurun Lake. A research based on scientific & academic works as well as public awareness campaign are also required in the proposed heritage site. This cannot happen without the participation of local community, activists, voluntary organizations, academic institutions, forest officials, policy makers, media etc. The declaration of heritage site at Meharun Lake & Landor Khori will create significant impact on conservation movement of the region.    

-Varunraj Nannaware -Jalgaon (Maharashtra)