Environment Management

Project on Mangroves around the world Importance and Why to protect

Mangroves An Introduction
A mangrove is a tree, shrub, palm or ground fern, generally exceeding one half metre in height, that normally grows above mean sea level in the intertidal zone of marine coastal environments and estuarine margins. A mangrove is also the tidal habitat comprising such trees and shrubs The term "mangrove" comes to English from Spanish word mangue and english word grow

Ecosystem
Though the trees themselves are few in species, the ecosystem that these trees create provides a home for a great variety of other organisms. Protection from strong winds & waves Soil stabilization & erosion protection Nutrient retention and water quality improvement through filtration of sediments and pollutants Protection of associated marine ecosystems

Evolution of Mangroves
Evolved around 114 million years ago Indo-Malaysian area is considered as cradle of evolution of mangrove system Mangroves of West Africa and Americas contain fewer but similar colinizing species. Asia, India, and East Africa contains much full range of mangove species At present, Indo-Pacific region is also known as luxuriant Mangroves Sunderbans of India and Bangladesh forms the single largest block of mangroves of the world

Where do Mangroves occur?

The richest mangrove communities occur in tropical and sub-tropical areas The best mangroves are found in Asia especially in India and Bangladesh Sunderbans are the largest forest mangrove in the world both in size as well as biodiversity Total area of Mangroves is about 6,740 sq. km 7% of the worlds total area of mangroves 80% of the mangroves are present in the east coast Remaining 20% are scattered on the west coast from Kutch to Kerela

Importance of Mangroves
Buffer between land and sea Play an invaluable role as nature's shield against cyclones, ecological disasters and as protector of shorelines Harbour a variety of lifeforms like invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and even mammals like tigers Save the marine diversity, which is fast diminishing Purify the water by absorbing impurities and harmful heavy metals and help us to breathe a clean air by absorbing pollutants in the air. Potential source for recreation and tourism Saviors in todays scenario of global warming

Mangroves vegetation
The mangrove flora of the world is represented by about 65 species. The Indian mangroves are represented by approximately 59 species (inclusive of some mangrove associates) from 29 families.

Few commonly found plant species in Mangrove ecosystem are:

Rhizophora apiculata (Red Mangrove): It grows well in sheltered areas rather than open seas exposed to the wave action. Rhizophora mucronata (Red Mangrove): It is often notice as a front mangrove plant where the shore is well protected. It has a high growth rate and is economically important. The species is quite similar to R. apetala Bruguiera gymnorhiza (Broad leaf orange mangrove): Roots are characteristically thick, rope-like and filled with air. They are called "cable roots". Parviflora (Small leaf orange mangrove): Essentially a back mangrove species. It is a useful tree for commercial extraction of tannin. The leaves are supposed to be used for treating high blood pressure. Sonneratia alba (Mangrove Apple): It prefers non swampy intertidal zones and prefers open areas with some wave action. It has thick, pointed and long pneumatophores. The apple like fruits are edible and used in pickles.

 Ceriops tagal (spur mangrove): A widely distributed species with a high tolerance for salinity. Avicennia marina: Avicennia spp have the highest salt tolerance of mangrove trees. One of the dominant species found throughout the coastline. Avicennia officinalis: Of the three dominant species of Avicennia this is the tallest. The wood is used as timber and fuel. Extraction of tannin is still done at some places. Leaves useful as fodder for cattle. Acanthus ilicifolius (Shore purslane): One may notice this attractive plant in the back mangrove zones. Its shrubby nature and spiny leaves make it an outstanding species.The blue flowers are also a source of nectar for honey bees. The flowers and leaves are used for decoration in Kerala. Aegiceras corniculatum (River mangrove): A densely flowering shrub. Salt tolerance of this species is comparatively low and grows only in the areas where there is good mixing of freshwater at least for a few months. It seeds profusely between January and March and fruits are curved and very finely pointed. The nectar produces fine quality honey.

 Phoenix padulosa (Sea Date): This palm species is also called as sea date and is a relative of the common date. In Sunderbans, this species forms a major zone along the upper reaches of the delta. It is used as a fuel and its trunk is used for constructing traditional hutment. It grows naturally only on the East Coast. Nypa fruticans (Golpatta): This is a characteristic palm species and resembles a shrunken coconut tree. It prefers well consolidated but moist tidal zones with a low to medium level of salinity preferably with freshwater mixing. Heritiera fomes (Sundari): This plant is locally called as sundari in W. Bengal. The name Sunderban perhaps has been derived from the abundance of this species in the Gangetic delta. It produces timber of excellent quality which is said to be more expensive than teak.

Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Rules 2011.

CRZ Definition Coastal regulation zone is the boundary from the high tide line up to 500m in the land ward side area between the low tide line. In the case of rivers, creeks and backwaters, the distance from the high tide level shall apply to both sides and this distance shall not be less than 100m or the width of the creek, river or backwater whichever less is. There are four categories of CRZs. Category I (CRZ I) Areas which are ecologically sensitive and important such as national parks, areas close to breeding and spawning grounds to fish and other marine life. Historically important and heritage areas, area rich in genetic diversity, areas likely to be inundated due to rise in sea level consequent upon global warming and such other areas as notified by government from time to time.

Mangroves around the world

The countries with the largest area of mangroves are: 1) Indonesia 2) Brazil 3) Australia 4) Nigeria 5) Mexico Estimates of mangrove diversity indicate that there are 16-24 families and 54-75 species worldwide. The greatest mangrove species diversity exists in SE Asia. Only 12 mangrove species are found in the Americas, with 4 of these occurring along portions of the SE USA (Florida) coast.

Sundarban Forest
The Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world 300 species of trees and herbs 425 species of wildlife including the Royal Bengal Tiger exist. It lies in south-east of Calcutta . It covers some 10,000 sq.km. of mangrove forest and water (of which some 40% is in India and the rest in Bangladesh) It is a part of the worlds largest delta (80,000 sq. km.) formed from sediments deposited by three great rivers, the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna. The three sanctuaries are intersected by a complex network of tidal waterways, mud flats, small islands of salt tolerant mangrove forests. The area is flooded with brackish water during high tides which mix with freshwater from inland rivers. The Sundarbans has experienced balanced growth of flora and fauna in association with the fresh water of the Ganges and the salty sea water of the Bay of Bengal.

 The Sundarbans mangrove area of India and Bangladesh when taken together forms one of the worlds largest single patches. Tidal waves are a regular phenomenon and may be up to 7.5m high About half of the Sundarbans is under water and the rest of the landscape Rainfall is heavy and humidity high (80% on average) due to proximity of the Bay of Bengal. The entire mangrove forest extends over an area of 4,262 sq.km. of which 2,320 sq.km. is forest and the rest is water and it is called Sundarban, locally known as sundari. It is classified moist tropical seral forest, comprising beach forest and tidal forests.

 This mangrove forest generally bears the salt-tolerant forest ecosystem excepting some amongst which about 856.7 million Sundari (Heritiera fomes) trees are less salt-tolerant. Climate change due to global warming is predicted to cause an annual temperature rise of 0.4 degrees Celsius in Bangladesh and result in greater frequency and intensity of cyclonic storms. The sea level is also predicted to rise by 4 millimetres every year. These phenomena will result in an increase in salinity and a decrease in the sweet water flow in the Sundarbans. But the balance is now being threatened and siltation is increasing due to decreasing downstream flow of rivers running through and around.

Goa Mangroves
Out of Goas total land area of 370000ha, the mangrove area is 500 ha having declined sharply from a recorded 20 000 ha in 1987. Some 178 ha of the best mangrove area at Chorao, Goa has been declared as Reserved Forest under the Indian Forest Act, 1927 to protect and conserve the mangrove forests. In 1988, this area was declared a bird sanctuary under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Afforestation work to restore degraded mangrove areas started in Goa in 1985-1986; By the end of 1996-1997 the programme had covered 876 ha.

Andaman and Nicobar islands

It comprise 572 islands in the Bay of Bengal, with a total area of about 825 000 ha. The coastline is about 1 962 km. The area under mangroves is 96 600 ha (Government of India, 1997). The Middle Andaman Islands comprise an area of 99 800 ha, of which 23 400 ha or 23.4 percent are covered with mangroves Limited extraction did not cause any damage to the government mangrove forests, but in the revenue areas (areas managed in such a way as to allow local people to benefit from extraction of forest products) the destruction of mangroves is conspicuous. In 1987, the Andaman and Nicobar Administration has banned extraction of mangrove wood due to growing awareness about conservation of mangroves.

Mangroves in mumbai
Major mangroves are seen today in Mumbai are Vasai Creek, Thane Creek, Manori and Malad, Mahim - Bandra, Versova, Siwari, Mumbra - Diva and few more places.

Importance of Mangroves for Mumbai

Mangroves represent the spirit of Mumbai they are plucky survivors. But each day, millions of citizens in Mumbai pass these hardy plants imagining they are little more than dirty, muddy weeds growing pointlessly along the shoreline. Mangroves maintain the integrity of Mumbais shoreline The Koli community in Mumbai worships mangroves

Mangrove Destruction in Mumbai

Rapid developments like housing, industrialization, pollution and increasing population of Mumbai has resulted into degradation of mangroves. There are two important creeks, Vasai Creek towards north and Thane Creek toward south where luxuriant mangrove patches are still left.

Mumbai High Court has ordered freeze on destruction of mangrove forests in Maharashtra and has banned construction within 50 metres of them

 Protection is possible only through the participation of the local community and by building up pressure groups for ensuring management of this ecosystem and strict implementation of the legal provisions by the Government. Residents associations & NGOs in Mumbai are coming together to spread this awareness

Threats to Mangrove ecosystem

Land reclamations for construction activity, aquaculture, agriculture, tourism Industrial and domestic pollution Port development

Dumping of all kinds of waste and debris Deforestation for fuel wood Over harvesting of marine resources

Recommendations
The existing forest rules should be strictly enforced to mangroves in order to avoid exploitation. Collection of mangrove products may be regulated by appropriate rules. Conversion of mangrove lands for other purpose must be strictly prohibited. Coastal Area development should be associated with mangroves land. Budgetary provisions may be provided in the maritime states for surveillance, watch and ward of wetland ecosystems.

 Regular monitoring of the state of art of mangroves by government organization, Universities and similar agencies. A forestation program may be maintained for transplantation in the appropriate areas. National Policy on mangrove ecosystem management may be strengthened/ formulated for protection of mangroves. Awareness campaign on conservation and management of mangroves. Mangroves should be a part of curriculum/syllabus of education at various levels.