Major Grasslands of India

Throughout its enormous landscape, India is home to an array of fascinating grasslands. These grasslands offer a glimpse into the rich biodiversity and distinctive ecosystems of the nation, from the arid Banni and Vidi Grasslands in Gujarat to the swaying Phumdis of Manipur's Loktak Lake and from the picturesque Bugyal and Dzukou Grasslands in Uttarakhand and Nagaland to the picturesque Khajjiar Grasslands in Himachal Pradesh.

Features of Major Grasslands of India

Here are the descriptions of major grasslands of India −

Banni and Vidi Grasslands

In Kutch District, Gujarat State, India, the Banni Grasslands Reserve, also known as the Banni and Vidi grasslands, is a belt of dry grassland environment on the outer southern edge of the desert of the marshy salt flats of the Rann of Kutch. They cover an area of 3,847 square kilometres and are renowned for their abundant fauna and biodiversity. As a protected or reserve forest in India, they are currently legally protected. Despite being designated a protected forest more than 50 years ago, Gujarat state's forest department has just lately put up a particular strategy to best manage and restore this environment. It is a type of coastal grasslands in India.

Phumdis or Floating Grasslands

Phumdi, also referred to as Phumthi, are a group of floating islands that are found only in the Loktak Lake in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur. They are heterogeneous masses of plants, soil, and organic debris in various states of decay that make up a sizable portion of the lake area. With a 40 km2 size, the greatest single mass of phumdi is located in the lake's southeast. The Keibul Lamjao National Park, the largest floating park in the world, is made up of this mass. The endangered sangai subspecies of the local Eld's deer, known as sangai in Meitei, was the inspiration for the creation of the park. The southeasterly portion of Loktak Lake, which makes up the Keibul Lamjao National Park, is home to the largest of all the phumdis in the lake. It is a type of wet grasslands of India.

Margs or Bahaks Grasslands

Himalayan grasslands, colloquially referred to as "Bahaks" or "Margs," are a unique legacy in Jammu and Kashmir and are recognized for their ecological importance, visual beauty, and species-rich, taxonomically diverse flora. Pastorals and other indigenous tribes gather and use plants in a variety of ways all throughout these grasslands. The state's grasslands were divided as tropical to sub-tropical, sub-temperate to alpine, sub-temperate to sub-temperate, and alpine meadows. The state's grasslands were divided as tropical to sub-tropical, sub-temperate to alpine, sub-temperate to sub-temperate, and alpine meadows. The state's grasslands were divided into tropical to sub-tropical, sub-temperate to alpine, and alpine meadow types. It is a type of montane grassland.

Bugyal and Dzukou Grasslands

Uttarakhand is home to the Bugyal and Dzukou Grasslands. The "Nature's Own Garden" is another name for these meadows. Bugyals are higher elevation alpine grazing fields, also known as meadows, that are between 3,300 meters (10,800 feet) and 4,000 meters above sea level. The area has either flat or sloping topography. Seasonal flowers and lush, green grass adorn the surface of these bugyals. Tribal herdsmen utilize them to pasture their animals. The alpine meadows are always blanketed in snow during the winter. The Bugyals and Dzukou are a riot of lovely flowers and grass in the summer. Due of the fragility of the ecosystems that bugyals and Dzukou comprise, special consideration must be given to their preservation. It is a type of montane grassland.

Khajjiar Grasslands

Himachal Pradesh is home to the Khajjiar Grasslands. The "Mini-Switzerland" of India is another name for it. In the Himachal Pradesh region of India, in the Chamba district, close to the town of Chamba, is another hill station called Khajjiar. It is situated around 24 kilometres from Dalhousie. Khajjiar is situated on a tiny plateau with a weed-covered lake fed by a stream in the centre. Meadows and trees border the grassland. The foothills of the Western Himalayan Dhauladhar mountains are roughly 2,000 meters above sea level, and peaks can be seen in the distance. It is a type of montane grassland.

Saramati Grasslands

Nagaland is home to the Saramati Grasslands. At the mountainous boundary of the Naga Self-Administered Zone of the Sagaing Region of Myanmar and the Indian state of Nagaland, Saramati is another peak that rises above the neighbouring peaks. It is situated in the Kiphire District of Nagaland, close to the community of Thanamir. It is known as the Crown of Nagaland and has a height of 3,826 meters and a prominence of 2,885 meters, attracting a lot of tourists to this state with a rich tribal tradition. One of Southeast Asia's most notable peaks is Saramati. It creates a natural border between Myanmar and India. It is a type of montane grassland.

Ukhrul Grasslands

Manipur is home to the Ukhrul Grasslands. The Manipuri state's Sirohi National Park is situated in the Ukhril Grasslands. The grassland is home to many different species of shrubs, trees, orchids, epiphytic ferns, and blooming plants, including hundreds of different types. The area is home to a variety of wild species, including elephants, leopards, tigers, bears, bison, gaurs, crested porcupines, pangolins, jungle cats, wild boars, deer, and monkeys. Shirui Lily, also known as Shirui Lily or Lilium Macklinae, is the official flower of Manipur. It is a rare pinkish-white flower that can only be found in the Shirui Hill Range in the Ukhrul District of Manipur. It is a type of montane grassland.

Shola Grasslands

It is predominantly in Karnataka and the Western Ghats. Shola grasslands are covered with 25–30-foot-tall dwarf trees. It is a diversified woodland of stunted grass species. The double-layered, closed canopy of the vegetation makes it difficult for even a single ray of sunlight to reach the natural vegetation. The upper Nilgiris region is categorized as southern mountain grassland. The Shola grasslands area was decreased by 66.7% from 1973 to 2014.The Shola forests and adjacent grasslands act as enormous "water harvesting and storage structures," storing significant amounts of water on the mountain ranges. The perennial Shola grasslands are the source of several rivers in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Sholas and other woods are being destroyed, which causes the streams that feed them with water to dry up in summer. They are rich store houses of biodiversity and also home to extremely rich wildlife. It is a type of tropical grassland.

List of Major Grasslands of India

Here is a table showcasing major grasslands in India and their locations −

Grassland	Location
Banni and Vidi Grasslands	Gujarat
Phumdis or Floating Grasslands	Loktak Lake, Manipur
Margs or Bahaks Grasslands	Jammu and Kashmir
Bugyal and Dzukou Grasslands	Uttarakhand and Nagaland
Khajjiar Grasslands	Himachal Pradesh
Saramati Grasslands	Nagaland
Ukhrul Grasslands	Manipur
Shola Grasslands	Western Ghats, Kerala and Tamil Nadu

Conclusion

There are many different and amazing grasslands in India, each with its own special traits and ecological importance. These grasslands provide a rich habitat for flora and fauna, from the vast Banni and Vidi Grasslands in Gujarat to the floating Phumdis of Loktak Lake in Manipur, and from the picturesque Bugyal and Dzukou Grasslands in Uttarakhand and Nagaland to the picturesque Khajjiar Grasslands in Himachal Pradesh.

The robust grassland ecosystems of India are also supported by the Saramati Grasslands in Nagaland, the Ukhrul Grasslands in Manipur, and the Shola Grasslands in the Western Ghats.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the major grasslands in India?

The major grasslands in India include Banni and Vidi Grasslands, Phumdis or Floating Grasslands, Margs or Bahaks Grasslands, Bugyal and Dzukou Grasslands, Khajjiar Grasslands, Saramati Grasslands, Ukhrul Grasslands, and Shola Grasslands.

Where are the Banni and Vidi Grasslands located?

The Banni and Vidi Grasslands are located in the Kutch District, Gujarat.

Which state in India is known for the Bugyal and Dzukou Grasslands?

Uttarakhand and Nagaland are known for the Bugyal and Dzukou Grasslands.

Where can the Shola Grasslands be found?

The Shola Grasslands are predominantly found in Karnataka and the Western Ghats, spanning Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

What makes the Phumdis unique?

Phumdis, or Floating Grasslands, are found in Loktak Lake, Manipur. They are heterogeneous masses of plants, soil, and organic debris in various states of decay, forming a significant portion of the lake area.