Banni Experience: Conservation, Community, and Gender Crossroads
Banni Experience: Conservation, Community, and Gender Crossroads

Summary/Abstract: The Banni grasslands of Gujarat, India, represent a pristine ecosystem spanning 2,618 square kilometres in the Kutch district, home to rich biodiversity and over 20 ethnic communities totalling approximately 21,338 inhabitants. These communities depend entirely on their natural surroundings for social and economic security. Over recent decades, the grasslands have experienced severe degradation driven by limited resources, climate change, water scarcity, invasive species proliferation, and industrial encroachment. This study investigates how the degradation of Banni is socially constructed, interpreted, and challenged by the community, with particular focus on the role of women in conservation, their social position, and the geography of their vulnerability. Employing a sequential mixed-methods approach — combining a semi-structured survey of 200 respondents across 12 villages with 25 in-depth interviews involving community members, NGO representatives, and government officials — the research analyses both quantitative patterns and qualitative narratives. Findings reveal that while 57.50% of respondents are involved in grassland management and conservation, female participation stands at only 9.72%. Chi-square testing confirms a statistically significant association between gender and both involvement and awareness of conservation issues. The paper argues that conservation in Banni cannot be sustainable without the full participation of women and advocates for gender-sensitive policy frameworks.

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