Biotic Factors Affecting Biodiversity of Barda Sanctuary

The Barda Sanctuary is spread over Porbandar and Jamnagar districts of Gujarat State in India. A part of Sanctuary, which falls under the Porbandar district, is known as “Rana Barda”, for it was ruled by a king of Rana „Dynasty‟ while the other part falling under Jamnagar district is known as “Jam Barda” as it is named after their former ruler, the Jamsaheb of Jamnagar. The Barda Sanctuary form a compact block of about 192.31 sq. kms lying between parallels of latitude from 21° 40‟ to 21° 55‟ North and meridians of longitude from 69° 40‟ to 69° 50‟ East. The Barda Sanctuary is dry deciduous forest. There are very gentle slopes noted in the plains at places but undulating ground is conspicuous by its absence. Maldharies (tribal people) inhabiting this region is mostly from Rabari cast; they live in small settlements and their economy was based mostly upon animal husbandry. Their activities also affect biodiversity of Barda Sanctuary.