WHO TALKS FOR TREES- MANGROVES
Review:
Mangroves form a unique ecosystem in a coastal environment that is in constant flux and forms productive biomes. They thrive in a salty environment like coastal regions and estuaries and aid towards disaster management by facing the onslaught of giant waves such as Tsunami. It is an important asset from an ecological standpoint. In recent years, Mangrove communities have been uprooted and destroyed due to anthropogenic activity. Realizing the importance of mangroves, a community based awareness survey was made and the importance of mangroves and its possible role in disaster mitigation are emphasized. Survey reveals joint efforts should be taken by both the government and the local community to conserve and grow mangroves to save mankind from disaster.
In Detail:
The mangrove forests are one among the most productive Mangroves have very specialized adaptations that enable them to live in salty environments Naturally, resilient mangrove forests have withstood severe storms and changing tides form any millennia. This unexplored bounty was revealed only after the Tsunami disaster. The only nature’s gift which stood bravely against tsunami other than the humanitarian services are the mangroves of the coastal regions. Areas with dense mangroves suffered fewer human casualties and less damage to properties compared to areas without mangroves. But, today mangroves are destroyed mainly by man-made activities in different forms, which pose serious threat to the ecosystem around the map and silently become one of the reasons for Global warming and climate change. This is due to population growth and unsustainable economic development including deliberate land reclamation for urban and industrial development. With continuing degradation and destruction of mangroves, there is a critical need to understand them better and now it is a need of the hour to concentrate and protect mangroves for generations.
Work done:
Realizing the importance of mangroves, a community based awareness survey wasconducted at Urrur kuppam, Adyar estuary, Adyar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, which is thelocated mangrove region of Chennai zone. A survey was taken among 225 individuals; agegroup of 20 and above and the results were analysed. The questionnaire was prepared in Tamil (Native language of the locality) and also in English for the convenience of the people who live in that locality.
Outcome and Conclusion:
This survey was essential, as any ecological remediation to be carried out requires both awareness and participation of all stakeholders of that region. This survey along with its scientific findings would definitely serve as a note that would provide baseline data for the remediation or rehabilitation of the mangroves in Urrurkuppam, Adyar estuary, Adyar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India in particular and mangroves in general. Besides being a wonderful place to explore, mangroves are also important from an ecological standpoint. They form a unique ecosystem in the environment and play an important role in governing the coastal ecosystem. In spite of its great importance, degradation of mangroves is an alarming issue. They form the most threatened habitats in the world, disappearing at anaccelerating rate with little public notice Humans definitely have an enormous influence on how well mangroves survive. Awareness to local people has to be created especially on the importance of mangroves and their management. The community based survey reveals that the conservation and management progamme of mangroves should concentrate.
