Thiruvananthapuram,
The Hindu, September 17, 2014
Mangroves forests that once covered 70,000 hectares of
the State’s coastal area have come down to just 17 sq km, largely due to
human encroachment. According to a book titled ‘Kandal- Kerala’s
Vanishing Asset’ released here on Tuesday, the popular misconception
that mangrove forests are of no use has added to the slow death and near
total disappearance of the species.
Authors of the
book, Tresa Radhakrishnan and M.R. Anilkumar, observe that out of the 17
sq km of remaining mangrove forests, only 2 sq km came under the state
government.
Of the existing mangrove resources in the State, 36 per cent were degraded or in degrading condition.
The
mangrove forests in the State are confined to the upper reaches of
estuaries, lagoons, backwaters and creeks in all the districts except
Idukki, Pathanamthitta, Palakkad and Wayanad, with the maximum extent
reported from Kannur.
The book observes that the value of mangroves had gone unrecognised, leading to their disappearance in many parts of the world.
Mangrove systems require intensive care.
The
authors pointed out that mangrove, besides being a natural breeding
ground for several species, including fish, reptiles, birds, insects,
and crustaceans, acts as natural lungs and kidneys of the ecosystem.
They act as a buffer zone, protecting the coast from erosion.
While
mooting incentives for sustainable management of mangroves on private
and village community land, the authors propose the restoration and
rehabilitation of degraded mangrove forests with people’s involvement.
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