From Utility to Equity

Pariej located in Southern tip of Kheda district is part of eight important wetlands of Gujarat. It is an irrigation as well as drinking water reservoir supplying to 52 villages around. Covering an area of five square kilometre, Pariej is used as steeping stone by migratory birds flying through Central Asia fly way. Due to wide embankment and anthropogenic pressure like agriculture, the reservoir lacks natural edge as well as tree cover for nesting and roosting which is crucial for wetland ecology. The main aim is to enhance the biodiversity by identifying potential grounds within the reservoir as well as beyond. Being part of Bhal region, the reservoir is surrounded by multiple patches of saline ingrained land which is seasonally inundated. Currently a no man’s land, these areas could act as an extension to providing ideal habitat for avi-fauna species. This extension caters to not just avi-fauna species but even other aquatic and terrestrial fauna species. Thus the title from utility to Equity justifies the process of restoration and enhancing ecology of Pariej as a wetland system and not just as reservoir.