Green Sea Turtles: The prepossessing The Emeralds of Gulf of Kutch

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Green Sea Turtles: The prepossessing The Emeralds of Gulf of Kutch

Green sea turtles: Turtles are one of the most primitive creatures on planet earth and have been here for about 200 million years.

They are diverse organisms ranging from infinitesimal sizes to prodigious sizes. Nonetheless, they all are illusorily beautiful and spirit-renewing to say the least. Their beauty is sure to leave you in awe.

green sea turtle on shore
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Dorsoventrally flattened body of the green sea turtles is covered by teardrop-shaped carapace. It has a pair of paddle-like flippers. Their sizes range from 31 to 47 inches with a life span of 80-100 years. Crazy isn’t it? Well we have just begun.

It can reach speeds of up to 56 kilometers due to their streamlined shell and paddle like flippers which in turn increase their ability to swim faster and more importantly with poise. Diet of green sea turtles consists of seaweeds and algae since they are herbivores even though most of the other turtles are omnivores.

Sea turtles have held an indispensable place in Indian mythology and lores. According to the prestigious Hindu mythology, our world rests on the back of four elephants standing on the shell of a turtle. Therefore turtle meat is outlawed by the Hindus and the Islams.

green sea turtle in water
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Zoological name of the green sea turtle is ‘Chelonia Mydas,’ and it comes to the sea beach only to lay eggs. The female turtle’s lay about 100 to 150 eggs in the sea beaches and then go back into the water, whereas the male turtles stay in water throughout their life.

Coastal areas of Gujarat are one of the most important nesting grounds for the endangered green sea turtle, particularly, the Gulf of Kutch. It’s the important foraging and nesting sites for these sea creatures.

These turtles also play a crucial role within the ecosystem they live in by regulating sea currents for the reason being, without them grazing on sea grass beds, sea grass seems to overgrow resulting in obstructing sea currents.

green sea turtle swimming under water
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It is heartbreaking to state that the International Union for the Conservation of Nature has persistently listed green sea turtles, under their officially classified list of endangered species. A team of researchers from the Wildlife Trust of India have found that in one of Gujarat’s Lake, a group of 20-30 turtles have been trapped for around a decade which is agonizing.

The endangered green sea turtle, which is found mainly in the coast of Gujarat, is facing major threat due to various factors and needs immediate conservation steps. Awareness programmes for local fishermen and coastal communities is key to protecting these turtles and avoid accidental deaths of turtles along shores.

More and more species are going extinct each day and we have no one to blame but ourselves. We need to learn how to share our exquisite earth as we humans are not even half as superior as we think we are.

Anatomy

green sea turtle diving
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Dorsoventrally flattened body of the green sea turtle is covered by teardrop-shaped carapace. It has a pair of paddle-like flippers. Their sizes range from 31 to 47 inches with a life span of 80-100 years. Crazy isn’t it? Well we have just begun.

Speed / Diet

baby green sea turtle on shore
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It can reach speeds of up to 56 kilometers due to their streamlined shell and paddle like flippers which in turn increase their ability to swim faster and more importantly with poise. Their diet consists of seaweed and algae since they are herbivores even though most of the other turtles are omnivores.

Importance in Indian Mythology

Sea turtles have held an indispensable place in Indian mythology and lores. According to the prestigious Hindu mythology, our world rests on the back of four elephants standing on the shell of a turtle. Therefore turtle meat is outlawed by the Hindus and the Islams.

Reproduction

Green sea turtle under water
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The green sea turtle’s zoological name is ‘Chelonia Mydas’. It comes to the sea beach only to lay eggs. The female turtle’s lay about 100 to 150 eggs in the sea beaches and then go back into the water whereas the male turtles stay in water throughout their life. Females usually nest during the warmest months of the year.

Importance of Gujarat

The coast of Gujarat has been one of the most important nesting grounds for the endangered green sea turtle which is believed to be usually  found in the Gulf of Kutch thus Gujarat plays a crucial role when it comes to turtles as it’s the important foraging and nesting sites for these sea creatures.

Role of these turtles in the ecosystem

green sea turtle diving under water
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They also play a crucial role within the ecosystem they live in by regulating sea currents for the reason being, without them grazing on sea grass beds, sea grass seems to overgrow resulting in obstructing sea currents.

Habitat

Green sea turtles are found around the world in warm subtropical lands and tropical ocean waters, nesting occurs in over 80 countries. Some of their habitats lay in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. They lay eggs on beaches. Mature and male turtles spend most of their time in shallow waters.

 Conservation measures

green sea turtle on sea shore
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It is heartbreaking to state that the International Union for the Conservation of Nature has persistently listed green sea turtles, under their officially classified list of endangered species.

Furthermore a team of researchers from the Wildlife Trust of India have found that in one of Gujarat’s Lake, a group of 20-30 turtles have been trapped for around a decade which honestly is agonizing to even think about. The endangered green sea turtle, which is found mainly in the coast of Gujarat, is facing major threat due to various factors and needs immediate conservation steps.

green sea turtle diving
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Awareness programs for local fishermen and coastal communities is key to protecting these turtles and avoid accidental deaths of turtles along shores. Sometimes field biologists protect sea turtle nestlings from predators by placing screens over them.

They may also relocate eggs laid too close to the water or in erosion zones to safer areas More and more species are going extinct each day and we have no one to blame but ourselves. We need to learn how to share our exquisite earth as we humans are not even half as superior as we think we are.

Writer : Falguni Dave, Zoologist

How To Get People To Like Barda Hills Wildlife Sanctuary in gujarat

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How To Get People To Like Barda Hills Wildlife Sanctuary in gujarat

Barda Hills Wildlife Sanctuary Just at a distance of about 15kms from Porbandar town in Gujarat that is well known for its dense forests and sizable amount of trees, plants and medicinal herbs.

The Barda Hills Wildlife Sanctuary having a forest area of 192.31 sq. km. is relatively small in extent. However, it is characteristically abundant in floral diversity, which consists of a good number of medicinal plants. In fact, very high percentage of rare and endangered plants occurring in the area is an important component of the Barda Hills Wildlifehttps://wildstreakofnature.com/gu/barda-wild-life-sanctuary/ Sanctuary. The area falls into two erstwhile princely states of the history i.e. Rana Barda, where Ranas of Porbandar ruled once upon a time and Jam Barda, where the rule of Jamsaheb of Jamnagar prevailed. The ethnic races such as Maldharis, Bharvads, Rabaris and Gadhvis live in this region of Saurashtra.

The Barda Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is touted as a safe place for some endangered plant species that seem to have medicinal properties as well. It is home to rare and endangered spotted species such as – eagles, crested hawk eagle along with Leopard, hyena, wild boar, wolf, jackal, bluebell.

Barda Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is the second largest territory of the Asiatic Lions and is inhabited by ethnic races of Gujarat namely Maldharis, Bharvads, Rabaris and Gadhvis. The best time to visit this Wildlife Sanctuary is between November and Mid June.

How to get there

By Road: The city also has ample state and private bus services from major connections in the state.

By Train: The city also has a railway station from major connections in the state.

By Air: Porbandar has a domestic airport which has reasonable connectivity to cities in India.

Why You Must Experience Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary At Least Once In Your Lifetime

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Why You Must Experience Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary At Least Once In Your Lifetime

The Reasons Why We Love Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary.

Spread over 6 sq km of area, Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary is amongst the unsurpassed bird sanctuaries in Gujarat. located just 12 km away from Jamnagar District headquarters. is veritable showpiece for bird watchers since its unique quality of having fresh water lakes on one side and salty marshlands on other side.

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Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary Just before Indian gained Independence, a check dam was built for storing the waters of Ruparel River before it entered the sea. It inadvertently collected fresh water of the rain and saltwater of the sea, giving birth to this unique landscape. The Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary region was declared a sanctuary in 1981.

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A striking number of 220 species of birds are found in this small Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary area. Situated in the coastal area near Jamnagar,https://wildstreakofnature.com/gu/khijadiya-bird-sanctuary/ this Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary also has marine habitat, fresh water habitat, marshy lands, mangroves, prosopis areas, salt pans, open mudflats, intertidal mudflats, creeks and scrubs sandy beaches covered under its shelter. The fabulously diverse ecosystem offer diverse viewing pleasure to bird watchers.

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Along with marine and fresh water habitats, there are also marshy lands, mangroves, Prosopsis areas,mudflats, salt pans, creeks, forest scrub, sandy beaches, and even farmlands bordering the area.

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Along with birds like Pelicans, spoonbill, Indian skimmer, great crested grebe, little grebe, purple moorhen, ducks, coots, cormorants, herons, egrets, storks, ibises, gulls, terns, jacanas, darter and flamingoes, one can spot Jackal, jungle cat, blue bull, mongoose as well here. The best time to visit is between October and March.

What You Know About: Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary And What You

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What You Know About: Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary And What You

Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary One of the largest wetland bird sanctuary of Gujarat, this Nalsarovar  bird sanctuary is a lake that have over 360 islets. Located near Sanand Village, this Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary is hailed as the best places to enjoy bird watching. The region was declared a The region was declared a sanctuary in 1969, and a Ramsar site since 2012.

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Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary This 121-sq-km sanctuary, 60km southwest of Ahmedabad, protects Nalsarovar Lake, iron-flat plains and wetlands. This is the largest wetland Nalsarovar sanctuary in the state and one of the biggest in the country as well.https://wildstreakofnature.com/gu/nalsarovar-bird-sanctuary/

There is an interpretation centre here which offers details on birds and the habitat, especially flamingos, pelicans, egrets, herons, ducks, cormorants and cranes. Nalsarovar is a proposed Ramsar Convention site, which is a list of wetlands of international importance.

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There are 200 species of birds in the lake which is a safe shelter for migratory birds from Europe, Central Asia, Serbia and many other countries. Greater and lesser flamingoes, pelicans, ducks & geese, rails, coots, cranes, cormorants, herons, egrets, storks, ibises, spoonbills, teals, sarus cranes, moorhens and waders can be spotted in the sanctuary. The best time to visit Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary is from November to April. You can also spot herds of wild ass, mongoose, jungle cat, Indian fox, jackal, wolf and hyena here.

How to get there

By Road: Gujarat has one of the better developed road networks in India. Ahmedabad is well connected with all major cities and towns by road.State and private buses are a great option to travel between smaller towns in the state.

By Train: Viramgam is the closest railway station with frequent trains within the state.

By Air: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport in Ahmedabad connects all major cities in India and key cities abroad to the state.

All You Need To Know About: The Striped Hyena

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All You Need To Know About: The Striped Hyena

Strange looking and somewhat bigger than a dog, the Striped Hyena has black stripes on its body.

Its gait is also a little different and special.This animal’s length is 115 cm to 150 cm and weight of a male Striped Hyena is 30 to 40 kg. While the female Striped Hyena’s weight is 25 to 35 kg. Generally the female Striped Hyena gives birth to young ones in winter.

This striped Hyena looks like a dog. The front legs of the Hyena are long and the rear legs are short therefore it looks somewhat different than other animals. So when it walks generally it looks hopping and jumping. Its ears are long and straight. Around the neck there is a big bunch of hair so its neck looks fatty.

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Most probably the Striped Hyena wonders in the forest alone and alone. Generally the Striped Hyena hunts the animals like sheep , goats, rabbits and other small animals. Usually the Hyena prefers to eat the meat of the dead animals.

Sometimes we see the Striped Hyena in the public place where the dead animals are kept. So it is called the cleanliness worker of the nature. The Striped Hyena is a night animal. The Hyena moves during the night time in the fields nearby the villages.

The Hyena makes its house in a deep hollow of the mountain or valley. Sometimes the Hyena makes the hollow part of the porcupine a little broad and begins to live there. The Hyena is found in almost all the parts except western part and jammu and Kashmir.

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The Hyena is found in the most of the parts of Gujarat. The Hyena has greyish fur on its skin. Moreover it has black stripes on the legs and the back. The part of the mouth is black upto the eyes. The hair on the neck, shoulder and body are long.

The back side of the loin is little bent and sloppy. https://wildstreakofnature.com/gu/striped-hyena/The downside part of the neck and the chest is black. The size of the Hyena is a little bigger  than that of a dog. The long big and pointed ears are always kept straight by the Hyena.

These Hyenas are called the striped Hyenas because of the black stripes on the body. The another species of the Hyena are found out of India. They are spotted Hyenas.

In the area of Dang and Valsad, the Hyenas are known by the name of ‘KUTIKHADIYA’. Kutar means a dog and khadiya means a tiger. So the word ‘KUTIKHADIYA’ means a tiger like a dog. On the whole,

 

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the Hyena lives a lonely life. These stripped animals survive on the dead bodies of the animals hunted by the wild animals. So they are called the dependant of the dead animals. Sometimes the Hyena hunts insects, lizards, chameleons, iguanas, birds, sheep, goats, rats, dogs, rabbits and pigs.

The Hyena prefers to eat the fruits hanging on the tree. The Hyena can survive without water for a long time. The Hyena takes rest during the day time in the hollow of the land prepared by it.

The Hyena sets out in search of prey and water during the night time. With a view to fixing the border. The Hyena throws a special type of dirty smell through the gland which is near its anus.

The Hyena has the habit of discharging excrement at the fixed place everyday. Most probably the Hyena eats meat and bones. The excrement looks white after it has been dried up. Some pieces of bones are found in its excrement.

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Its presence can be noticed by its footsteps. Sometimes the experts too confused on seeing the footsteps of a panther because the footsteps of a panther and a Hyena look alike. So many people are mistaken on seeing the footsteps whether they are of a Hyena or a panther.

There is smelling gland near its anus, with which both male and female send the message that one is quite ready for mating. This type of smell becomes the identity of each other.

The Hyenas make a special voice like laughing and exchange their messages with each other the Hyena keeps a good distance from the wild animals like tigers and panthers. When the critical time comes up in its life, the Hyena faces the wild animals with all its might and strength.

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In the worst case the Hyena pretends ro be a dead animal and saves its life from wild animals. The Hyena is a sweeper worker of the forest. The Hyena’s fat is used as medicines therefore the hunters kill the Hyena to get its maximum fat from its body.

The numbers of Striped Hyena is decreasing day by day because of the road accidents and hunting. Lastly to say that save the Hyena and the forest will remain neat and clean.

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