Kerala - Kochi   

Own and conserve

Own a green stretch that you want to conserve, be it a patch of mangrove, or an elephant corridor in a forest, as it is the best way to protect them, this is the mantra of the Wildlife Trust of India, a non-governmental organisation.

Initiating the programme in Kerala, the trust has bought a few acres of mangrove forests in Kannur.

"In Kannur, the trust plans to purchase 100 acres of mangrove forests from individuals and set up an interpretation centre there," says P.S. Esa, senior director, conservation, of the trust, who was in Kochi recently.

The trust plans to open up the mangrove stretch to research activities for colleges and other research institutions. The programmes are aimed at creating awareness among the masses on the ecological importance of mangroves, he says.

"The individuals who own the mangrove stretches are keeping it out of compulsion, and there is the realisation that it is a non-remunerative effort. When we purchase the land by paying the price, they are benefited and the mangroves are also protected," he says.

Owning the mangrove stretch is more economically viable than the usual programmes of propagating the vegetation by planting the saplings and maintaining them, he says.

The trust is also into the process of purchasing some forest land that comes in the Thirunelli-Brahmagiri forest stretch, where there are a few settlements.

The importance of this patch is that it is an elephant corridor, which is frequently used by wild elephants.

The trust will buy the land from the settlers and hand it over to the Forest Department.

"We embarked on the process of obtaining the land for the department because it will be the viable project for both the animals and settlers, who are often at a crossroads," he explains.

Kochi can take a leaf out of the trust's experiment, as mangrove vegetation is fast dwindling in the district.

Studies have revealed that the mangrove vegetation in the district has depleted to alarming levels, indicating the pressure of urbanisation on the ecosystem and environment.

K.S. Sudhi

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