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Swamps in Sindhudurg: A biodiversity heritage site

Bombarde Myristica swamps in Sindhdurg district has been notified as a biodiversity heritage site. The Maharashtra state revenue department has issued a notification under Biodiversity Act, 2002, considering its biological and historical value. It is the eighth site in Maharashtra to be given the tag. Others include Glory of Alapalli and Wardham park in Gadchiroli district, Anjarle and Velas beaches in Ratnagiri district, Landor Khori forest and Shivaji Park in Jalgaon district, Daldalkhui in Gondia district and Ganeshkhind garden in Pune district.

Spread over 6.5 acres of revenue land at Hevale village in Dodamarg taluka, Ben Clement, chief conservator of forests (Kolhapur region) said Myristica swamp formations are unique fresh water swamps of the western ghats. Myristica swamps having members of myristicaceae, a primitive family of flowering plants, are associated with rainforests of Asia, Africa, Madagascar and South America. These swamp patches have been found in south Kerala, north Karnataka and south Goa.

Hevale villagers protected the swamp as a sacred grove. Clement said a local management committee comprising villagers will be set up for protection of the swamp and a 10-year management plan will be prepared.

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