Nayara Energy Signs MoUs for Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary Conservation

Gandhinagar : In the presence of Chief Minister  Bhupendra Patel, Nayara Energy signed two MoUs  with the State Government’s Forest & Environment Department and the Vidya Samiksha Kendra of  Education Department in Gandhinagar. 

As per the MoU signed with the Forest Department, Nayara Energy will financially support for conservation and restoration project of the Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary in Jamnagar district.

This project undertaken, with a total budget of ₹12 crore for the span of three years, will focus on improving the environmental conditions of wetlands, enhancing local biodiversity, and encouraging the participation of local stakeholders in the management of wetlands and related activities.

Furthermore, the project will enhance the ecological and hydrological health of wetlands in the sanctuary area, benefiting the local community and reducing pressure on biodiversity. The project primarily includes promoting eco-tourism, wetland restoration, conservation infrastructure development, and capacity building.

It is worth mentioning that due to the biodiversity of Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary (KRS) and its surrounding geographic areas, this Ramsar site (an internationally important wetland area) is home to various species. It includes 185 types of plants, 23 species of butterflies, 21 types of dragonflies, various types of reptiles, 9 species of fish and amphibians, 321 species of birds (including 125 waterbirds) and 9 mammal species. Thus, among the species found in this sanctuary, 29 species of notable significance are included in the “Red List” of endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Khijadiya plays a vital role in the local hydrological regulation, contributing greatly to the preservation of the local economy and cultural values. The groundwater recharge through rainfall and flowing water helps prevent the intrusion of salinity into the soil.

The Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary is surrounded by five villages (Eco-Sensitive Zone), including Khijadiya, Dhuvav, Jambuda, Sachana, and Vibhapar, located within a 1 to 3-kilometer area.

The MoU also specifies that the Forest Department will serve as the implementing agency for the conservation and restoration project of Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary, while Nayara Energy will act as the financial and resource-supporting agency.

MoU with the Education Department

In the presence of Chief Minister  Bhupendra Patel, Nayara Energy signed an agreement with the Vidya Samiksha Kendra of the State Government’s Education Department. Accordingly, reading activities will be enhanced in 1,300 government schools and Anganwadis of  Jamnagar and  Devbhumi Dwarka.

For this purpose, Nayara Energy will undertake the project from the upcoming academic year, starting from April 2025, and continuing for three years until March 2028. Over 150 books in English and Gujarati will be provided per school in government schools across Jamnagar and Devbhumi Dwarka. Moreover, 90 books will be provided in a language that a child can understand to 1,900 Anganwadis to develop early literacy skills in children. In total, approximately 3,75,000 books will be distributed to establish a strong foundation for reading and improved learning through this project.

Additionally, teachers and librarians will be trained in library management and focused reading, ensuring the effective use of resources and ensuring a sustainable impact.

Furthermore, to enhance the availability of digital reading and strengthen the digital infrastructure, this initiative will focus on utilizing digital platforms. By leveraging the existing digital infrastructure, digital reading sessions will be integrated into the curriculum of schools through smart classrooms, computer labs, or tablets.

Moreover, teachers will be trained on how to use open-source digital libraries in education and how to integrate digital reading and technology into the classroom.

This entire initiative will further accelerate efforts to build a strong reading culture in Gujarat, expand quality multilingual reading materials for children at various educational levels, strengthen literacy from childhood in Anganwadi children, empower teachers through training on physical and digital literacy resources, and provide new directions through this MoU for the use of technology and open-source platforms to increase accessibility and inclusivity in reading.