Green concerns – mangroves in Kerala are dying out

By: Sanjeeb Baruah

With only 1700 hectares of mangroves left in Kerala, experts fear that it could soon become extinct unless urgent steps are taken for its conservation.

In the past, it had 70,000 hectares of mangrove vegetation along the 590 km coastline. Most of its mangrove reserves had disappeared due to over harvesting of resources and conversion of mangrove areas for developments.

Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) has earmarked a plan to bring back the mangroves to its past affluence in the state.

In collaboration with the World Land Trust (WLT), WTI with support from the forest department has recently acquired 14 acres of mangrove in Kunhimangalam in Kannur district for long-term conservation.

Dr. P. S. Easa, Sr. Director of WTI who has prepared the road map for the project said that the plan is to prevent encroachment, degradation, conversion of mangrove areas and help biodiversity conservation.

“Besides promoting nurseries for fresh plantation in the degraded areas, a mass awareness programme on the importance of mangrove ecosystems is also planned.”  

Kunhimangalam is considered to have rich mangrove vegetation. The area is flanked by two rivers Perumbapuzha and Pullamkodpuzha which supplies regular freshwater - ideal for mangrove habitation. Some rare species found here include, Excoecaria agallocha, Avicennia sp., Excoecaria sp., Rhizophora sp. and Lumnitzera racemosa.   

Mangrove forest is an assemblage of salt tolerant trees and shrubs, and is the dominant feature of coastal areas in tropical countries. They flourish in estuarine or brackish water environment. Low wave energy, low salinity condition, high tidal amplitude and gentle slopes promote development of mangroves.

Following a series of discussions, a number of villagers had come forward to hand over their mangroves to WTI to initiate conservation actions. Consultations are on to acquire other mangrove areas. Villagers are also being encouraged for sustainable use of mangroves.

Despite forest department’s best efforts to prevent degradation of the mangroves, the existing laws do not provide protection against conversion of lands.

Of late, many corporate houses have shown interest for setting up tourism resorts, hospitals etc., which is a major conservation threat. Particularly in the areas where mangrove resources were exhausted and people find it more attractive to sell their lands to corporates in return for a good price.

In December 2003, the Government of Kerala through an extraordinary gazette declared a number of mangrove areas in the state as Reserve Forests. The Kannur district, north of the state is rich in mangrove vegetation compared to other districts.

Several workshops were organized here in recent past, by the forest department and other local NGOs to sensitize people on the need to protect mangroves. “Fortunately, people in Kannur, especially in the Payyannur region are aware of the issues and understand the importance of mangroves. Thanks to the work of local NGOs” said Rajan, an environmentalist working closely with WTI in the region.
 
The limited mangrove sites in the southern districts are either in the process of succession or under various levels of degradation (Basha 1992).  

Mangroves are important source for various commercially useful products. Different wood products, fodder, honey, wax, tannin, thatching materials (roof cover) and aquatic food resources etc., are obtained. This abundance has often led to over harvesting of mangrove systems by people for livelihoods, which in turn led to its degradation.  
 
WTI has teamed up with Dr. Khaleel of Sir Sayed College in Taliparamba in Kannur to generate more information on the mangrove ecosystems for education and research.  

About 68 different plant species found only in the mangrove wetlands are considered as true mangroves. These species are classified into salt excreting, salt excluding and salt accumulating types based on their physiological characteristics. The aerial roots or the breathing roots are unique among the mangrove species.

The mangrove systems support a diverse fauna including crabs, snails, prawns, bivalves, oysters, and a variety of fish species. In some areas salt water crocodiles and sea otters are also found. The mangroves are also the feeding and breeding grounds for a variety of resident and migratory birds.

Presently, the country has 4, 87, 100 hectares under mangrove vegetation. Protection to these areas will be crucial against unsustainable use and degradation. Consequences from depleting mangroves would not only weigh heavily against livelihoods of people but would also expose the fragile coastal ecosystem to erosions, oceanic storms and cyclones. 

Pix credit: Dr. P. S. Easa / WTI