Date:27/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/27/stories/2007072752780500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Massive effort to save mangroves

Ramesh Susarla

ADAVULADEEVI (GUNTUR District): Department of Forests has embarked on a massive afforestation project to regenerate mangrove species in the degenerated stretches in 300 hectares in Guntur district.

Similar programme would be taken up in Prakasam and Nellore districts on a smaller scale, while 100 hectares per year was being targeted in Guntur district for three years and saplings of three main varieties of mangroves nalla mada, tella mada and ponna were being grown in nurseries, Guntur range Conservator of Forests D. Nalini Mohan told The Hindu.

At a time when mangroves were on the wane during the past two decades, it was regenerating in Guntur district thanks to the favourable climatic conditions, which were bringing sweet water in the canals to add to the salt water in the creeks. “The right mix of salt and sweet water producing a ‘ph’ content congenial to good growth of mangroves in the creeks and estuaries,” Mr. Mohan explained.

Rare species

Satellite images showed light green colour regeneration of mangrove forest along the Palarevu and adjoining creeks in Nizampatnam region, which has one of the thickest mangrove forest nesting several rare species of birds and animals specific to swamps.

While the nesting season for birds was in September, the department had taken up growing mangrove saplings from October and after eight months, now they were ready for re-plantation.

Thotavaripalem Vana Samrakshana Samithi president K. Satyanarayana and Vice-president Ch. Kalyani are the strong advocates of protection of mangrove forests and earn a decent amount for a living by working the afforestation programme. “We used to unknowingly cut the mangroves for our cattle as this the best feed we can provide for them and also for our cooking fuel,” said Kalyani.

“Now I understand the benefits of mangroves after having watched how our village got protection during Tsunami, while some others were damaged.

Now we do not allow cattle in,” she said.

An expert from a non-governmental organisation is helping the VSS members with the techniques of planting saplings and taking care of them. A 45-hectares stretch adjacent to Adavuladeevi is fast getting reforested in a fish-like pattern. The Divisional Forest Officer P. Rammohan has been supervising the entire process supported by Mr. Ramakrishna.