Consider the following statements with respect to Banni grassland: 1. It is situated in the state of Assam. 2. This grassland acts as a breeding and nesting ground for numerous bird species, including resident, winter migratory birds. 3. It is a habitat for Spiny-tailed Lizards. Which of the statements given above are correct?

The correct answer is 2 and 3 only. Key Points Banni grassland : The Banni region emerged from the sea as a result of tectonic activities , received soils from the rivers flown from Bhuj mainland and ends in Greater Rann of Kutch. Soils deposited by the rivers and the wind made the land of Banni richer enough that it could generate diverse grass species, once reported up to 40 grass species, most palatable with saline grass species. These grasses support an array of wildlife, from the endemic spiny-tailed lizard to thousands of migratory birds that reach Banni when its dry tracts transform into lush wetlands after the monsoon. Hence statement 3 is correct. Banni grassland supports numerous animal genetic resources like Banni buffalo, Kankrej Cattle, Sheep, Goat, Camel, and horse. This grassland acts as breeding and nesting ground for more than 250 bird species , including resident, winter migratory birds. Hence statement 2 is correct. Banni region, situated at 23°19’N to 23°52’N to 68°56’E to 70°32’E, comprises around 3000 sq.km area under Bhuj taluka of Kutch district of Gujarat. Hence statement 1 is incorrect. Banni is situated in Arid climate, with a high temperature most of the time which reached maximum up to 4 8°C -50°C during May June and winter temperature goes down to 5°C – 8°C during December January. Average Annual rainfall, occurring through Southwest monsoon between June to September, is very low of 317mm with a coefficient of variation of 65%. Though there is inherent salinity in the soil, pastoral communities dug up Virdas, a shallow well of 9-12ft deep that collects rainwater in its soil particle, for livestock and themselves. There have been numerous natural wetlands in Banni and the largest one is known as Chhari – Dhandh , a saucer-shaped wetland that is recently declared as Conservation Reserve. Though in the last three decades Banni grassland slowly started losing its original ecosystem due to the invasion of Prosopis juliflora , a foreign alien species promoted initially by state agencies. Damming of rivulets on the upstream of Banni grasslands are also responsible for the increase of salinity in the Banni grassland. Additional Information Spiny-tailed lizard : Spiny-tailed lizard, also called mastigure, (Uromastyx) , any of more than a dozen species belonging to the lizard family Agamidae. Spiny-tailed lizards live in arid and semiarid habitats from northern Africa to India. They are limbed lizards with broadheads and stout bodies , and most adults grow up to about 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 inches) in length.