The royal family of erstwhile princely state of Kutch on Friday transferred the ownership of Chadva Rakhal, a 4,900-hectare woodlot to the state government for conservation of biodiversity, including 242 species of birds.
During a public meeting presided over by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in Maska village near Mandvi town of Kutch, three representatives from the royal family — Krutarthsinh Jadeja, Indrajitsinh Jadeja and Mayurdhwajsinh Jadeja — handed over the documents of Chadva Rakhal to collector Amit Arora and Kutch territorial forest circle chief conservator of forests (CCF) Sandeep Kumar.
The 4,900 hectare (100 hectares make one square km) land is located 30 km west of Bhuj town, the district headquarters of Kutch.
Reading out message of Kutch royal family head Maharani Priti Devi, Mandhatasinh Jadeja, head of royal family of erstwhile princely state of Rajkot said Chadva Rakhal was declared a reserved forest in 1880 by Pragmalji II, the then ruler of Kutch state for conservation of nature.
“Till date, the royal family of Kutch has been protecting it. Today, we have the rare honour of witnessing the transfer of this vast land for conservation of majestic wild animals, birds and flora without displacing any maldhari (cattle-herder),” said Jadeja.
Meanwhile the CM said: “The royal family of Kutch reserved this 4,900 hectare land as forest and has (now) handed over this land for conservation of wildlife. I thank Maharani Priti Devi, the royal family and Mandhatasinh for this.”
Patel also announced to set up a caracal conservation breeding centre in Chadva Rakhal at the cost of Rs10 crore.
CCF Sandeep Kumar said that Chadva Rakhal has 44 species of trees, 53 shrubs, 114 herbs and nine species of climbers. He said the floral diversity is supporting 242 bird species, 26 species of mammals like leopards and rare caracals and 28 species of reptiles, including march crocodiles. He said around 400 crocodiles are surviving in water bodies, including Pragsar lake in Chavda Rakhal.
“This woodlot is rich in biodiversity. It is ideal for nature education activities,” Kumar told The Indian Express, adding, “Caracals are also found in this area.”
“The royal family was supposed to transfer this land to the government in 1973. However, it remained pending till date due to legal issues. The royal family was willing to transfer the land but wanted to ensure that the flora and flora there is conserved. Thanks to negotiations, the process culminated in a peaceful transfer,” collector Amit Arora told The Indian Express. “The land will be notified a forest and handed over to the forest department,” Arora said.
“Kutch Maharani Priti Devi expressed happiness over the transfer… hoping it will contribute towards the welfare of people of Kutch and conservation of wildlife,” Mandhatasinh added.
During a public meeting, the CM inaugurated the renovated memorial of freedom fighter Shyamaji Krishna Verma in Maska village. The Kranti Tirth memorial has been renovated at the cost of Rs 22 crore, an official release said. He also dedicated to the nation nine projects, cumulatively worth Rs 89.21 crore, and laid foundation stones of seven projects, cumulatively worth Rs 34.56 crore, added the release.
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