Mangroves would have limited cyclone damage: Expert

GANDHINAGAR, July 18: Man always has to pay a heavy price for his greed. That was very much evident in the extensive damage caused to lif...

GANDHINAGAR, July 18: Man always has to pay a heavy price for his greed. That was very much evident in the extensive damage caused to life and property in the Jamnagar and Kutch districts by the June 9 cyclone. The intensity of damage in these places would have been far less had locals not felled the mangrove forests which once dotted Gujarat8217;s coastline.

Experts point out that it is owing to the loss of mangrove forests that even the marine life of the 457.9-sq.km area of Marine Protected Area MPA in the Gulf of Kutch has become vulnerable to cyclonic storms. quot;Mangrove forests provide protection to human and marine life as they act as a barrier against cyclonic storm, absorbing its impact,quot; H G Singh, Director of the GEER Foundation, told The Indian Express.

He said the cyclone caused extensive damage in Jamnagar and Kutch districts because the entire coastal belt of Gujarat has been denuded of its mangrove forest cover. Locals, he says, cut mangroves for firewood and fishing rods. Leaves andfruits of Avicennia mangrove are excellent fodder, which people collect for their livestock.

Experts are equally concerned about the adverse impact the loss of mangrove forests is having on the MPA. The MPA which comprises of 42 islands and marine ecosystem is rich in coral reefs, an algal bed and marsh vegetation.

Around three decades ago, the coast and islands had luxuriant mangrove cover.

Gradually, mangroves were destroyed, the mud flats were eroded, and silt was carried by tidal water on the reef, which resulted in degradation of coral reefs and marine life. Most of the islands in the Gulf support fringing reef and patchy corals, which are an important nursery for marine life and support diverse marine fauna of immense use to human kind.

Marine life in the MPA is also threatened by collection of marine products by locals. Industrial and shipping activities have also taken their toll of marine life.

Story continues below this ad

At present, 21 salt industries function in what was once mangrove forests in Jamnagar.Pollutants discharged by these industries leave mangrove forests damaged.

Stating that there is still a scope of raising tidal forests in 1,800 to 2,000 sq.km. mud flats of the Gulf of Kutch and Gulf of Cambay, Singh says the task, by all means, is stupendous. quot;It can only be achieved if necessary funds are released by the Government and locals are sensitised to the need of protecting the mangrove forests.quot;