Karnataka - Mangalore   

Mangrove to protect coastline against floods

M. Raghuram

Saplings being planted in a big way in Dakshina Kannada

A SHIELD AGAINST FLOODS: A file picture of the Mangrove forest coming up at Gurupur Estuary near Mangalore.

MANGALORE: The Forest Department has started raising Kandla (mangrove) plantations in the estuaries of coastal Karnataka, particularly in Dakshina Kannada, which is prone to natural calamities during monsoon.

Experience shows that the presence of mangrove ecosystems on coastline contains loss of life and property during such calamities. These ecosystems are known for their economic importance. They are breeding, feeding and are nursery grounds for many estuarine and marine organisms. These areas are used for captive and culture fisheries. Primarily the Kandla or Mangroves work as mini ecosystem

The distribution of mangrove ecosystem on Indian coastlines indicates that the Sundarban mangroves occupy a large area followed by Andaman-Nicobar Islands and Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat. Rest of the mangrove ecosystems are comparatively smaller.

In Karnataka, there are only isolated areas covered with mangroves and over the decades these ecosystems have vanished because of denudation. The Forest Department now has taken up extensive cultivation of mangroves in the estuaries of Gurupur and Nethravati rivers. The department has planted saplings in 200 hectares in the estuaries.

In mangroves, the floral elements responsible for the photosynthesis under brackich water condition are of different types ie. angiospermic flora, phytoplankton and marine algae. These elements contribute mainly to the primary productivity. Apart from this, faunal elements like zooplankton are responsible for secondary productivity and benthic animals for tertiary productivity. According to Dean of the Fishery College P. Keshavnath, the mangrove water, usually rich in detritus, is highly suitable for fishing.

The major fishery resources found in these waters are species of fishes, crabs, crustaceans and molluscs. Roughly about 60 per cent of India's coastal marine fish species is dependent on the mangroves. Dr. Keshavnath, who has done path-breaking research in periphyton, recommends the planting of mangroves.

According to Deputy Conservator of Forests Anita Arekal, the decision to bring more areas under mangroves in the estuaries comes as part of the Centre's plan to increase the buffer zones on the sea coastal ecosystems. The plantations are coming up in the river estuaries of Nethravathi, Gurupura, Mulky, Sasihithlu, Pavanje, Thanneerbavi, Kuloor, Panjimogaru, Adamkudru and Ullal in Mangalore taluk. The main species that have been planted includes rhizophora mucronata, avcicennia alba, Kandelia Candel and Brugueira gymnothiza.

Ms. Arekal said efforts were made to form Village Forest Committees in these areas and at Sasihitlu one such committee was already in place. These committees would oversee the protection of these plants and their management with the people of their respective villages.

The Forest Department study of the mangroves had proved that they were important breeding grounds for aquatic fauna, breeding and nursery ground for near shore estuarine organisms like fish, crabs, prawns, mollusc and other micro-nutrients and algae. In Dakshina Kannada district alone, 310 varieties of fish and 10 varieties of prawns had been recorded. The common and important popular fish varieties include Indian Mackerel (Bangude), Indian Oil Sardines (Buthai), Seer Fish (Anjal), Pomfret (Manji), Shark (Thate) and Lady Fish or Sand Whiting (Kane).

Sensing the opportunity it presents to them, the fishermen are helping the Forest Department in organising mangrove planting programmes. Assistant Conservator of Forests A. Abbas said mangroves acts as a shield against natural calamities.

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