Nature Education Program
For the past many years, Sahjeevan has been working with the biodiversity of Kutch across diverse ecosystems. Through this long-term engagement in different ecosystems of Kutch, Sahjeevan has developed a deep understanding of the region’s flora, fauna, and their roles within the ecosystem. As part of a school trip, Shishuvan School from Mumbai visited Kutch to learn about its unique ecosystems and pastoral livelihoods. The school approached the Sahjeevan team to facilitate a one-day field visit for their students.
In response, we organized a one-day field visit to Asia’s largest Banni grassland and one of Kutch’s largest wetlands, the Chhari Dhandh Conservation Reserve. This wetland hosts more than two lakh migratory birds during the winter season and also serves as an important grazing area for camels. The students first interacted with camel herders and learned about the differences between Kharai camels and Kutchi camels, including their grazing habits and migratory patterns. They also observed plant species grazed by camels and learned their local names, and enjoyed tasting fresh camel milk. Following this, the students participated in birdwatching from the watchtower using binoculars. Mr. Navin Bapat, a nature activist with extensive knowledge of birds, accompanied the group and helped students identify various migratory bird species, sharing their names and interesting facts, making the experience engaging and educational.
The visit continued with interactions with Banni buffalo herders, through which students learned about the different grass species grazed by buffalo and their high nutritional value. Later, the students visited a traditional charcoal-making site that uses Prosopis juliflora wood. Here, they learned how Prosopis juliflora, locally known as Gando Baval, has spread invasively and negatively impacted the ecosystem. Local community members shared the history of Prosopis juliflora , explaining how it was introduced to Banni from Mexico and how it rapidly spread across Kutch. In Banni in particular, the spread of Prosopis juliflora has been accelerated by buffaloes, which eat its pods and disperse the seeds through their dung. To manage this invasive species and support their livelihoods, Banni people convert Prosopis juliflora wood into charcoal, generating an important source of income while addressing ecological challenges.
The day ended with a short presentation on Kutch’s different ecosystems such as scrub and thorn forests, grasslands, desert, and mangroves. Students learned about their main features, local plants and animals, how they survive, and why these ecosystems are important. By interacting with local communities and through birdwatching, students understood the close link between nature, biodiversity, and people’s livelihoods. Overall, the one-day visit was a rich learning experience. Shishuvan School believes that such trips are not just outings, but meaningful lessons that help students understand nature and the environment for the future.
