Data Zone
Country/territory: India
IBA criteria met: A1 (2004)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 2,000 ha
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2003 | not assessed | low | not assessed |
| For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here | |||
Site description (2004 baseline)
Rampura grassland is situated near Dahod in Panchmahals district, Gujarat. It lies on the left of the Dahod-Godhra highway, and includes three protected grasslands, namely Kalithalai (859 ha), Muvalia (750 ha) and Rozam (378 ha). It has also been known as Kalithalai-Muvalia-Rozam grasslands (Natarajan and Rahmani 1997). It is protected by the Forest Department for production of hay. The site falls in the Malwa plateau, an undulating region with valleys and seasonal rainwater streams. This complex of grasslands provides ideal habitats for the Endangered Lesser Florican Sypheotides indica, locally known as Turrkukde. Historically, the whole area, except for some rocky plateau, was covered with thick teak forests (Tectona grandis), the remnants of which are still seen in some valleys. The grasslands came up when these forests were cut over years. Important species of the site are Echinochloa colonum, Setaria sp., Digitaria ciliaris, Brachiaria ramosa and Urochloa panicoides which blooms at the onset of the monsoon (Natarajan and Rahmani 1997). These species are succeeded by Themeda quadrivalvis, Heteropogon contortus, Sehima nervosum and Chrysopogon fulvus. Beside grasslands, plantations of Acacia nilotica, A. tortilis, Terminalia crenulata, Tectona grandis, Bauhinia racemosa, Gmelina arborea and Butea monosperma are also present.
Key biodiversity
AVIFAUNA: About 140 species of the birds are reported from this site (Natarajan and Rahmani 1997). According to Sankaran (1991), 15-20 male Lesser Floricans are found in Rampura grasslands. Bird community structure in different types of habitat was studied in Rampura (Natarajan and Rahmani 2002). Altogether, 68 species were recorded from the four study sites. The maximum number of species was recorded in plantation (54), followed by grassland (49) and least in grazing land (33). The Lesser Florican was seen only in the grassland. Four species of harriers (Circus spp.) are also found and use the grassland for foraging and roosting. BirdLife International (undated) has listed 59 species in Biome-11. In Rampura grassland, we were able to find 18 of these biome species. Most of the species are widespread and common.
OTHER KEY FAUNA: There is no large wild mammal of conservation concern but the grassland supports significant populations of smaller mammals such as Indian Fox Vulpes bengalensis, Rufous-tailed Hare Lepus nigricollis ruficaudatus and Golden Jackal Canis aureus. Among reptiles, the Fan-throated Lizard Sitana ponticeriana and Shorttailed Agama Laudakia (=Agama) minor are common. Indian Monitor Varanus bengalensis and five or six species of snakes have been identified.
Acknowledgements
Key contributors: V. Natarajan and Asad R. Rahmani.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Rampura Grassland (India). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/rampura-grassland-iba-india on 22/11/2024.