Mangroves Planted along Chilika lagoon

BHUBANESWAR: Mangrove cultivation is back in the outer channel of the Chilika lagoon. The initiative is community-driven and expected to help conserve the bio-diversity, improve the coastal eco-system and generate sustainable livelihood for local communities.

Official sources said in the past decade and a half, mangrove cultivation had failed despite the combined efforts of experts, Chilika authorities and communities. Authorities attributed the failure to successive cyclone and floods that have taken place along the 1100 sq km vast lake.

Officials said villagers explored suitable sites for mangrove cultivation with assistance from experts. The mangrove cultivation is being done under the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP). Awareness about mangrove cultivation was first spread in hundred eco-club schools on the periphery of the lagoon through street plays, posters and competitions.

According to officials, mangroves, with its host of eco-friendly components will help protect the community and generate livelihood for coastal communities. Mangroves will act as a bio-shield against the impact of cyclonic storms. It will also contribute towards mitigating climate change. Mangrove forests, grown along shorelines and up to few meters inland, will also act as a nursery for fish, shrimp and a host of other organisms.

The authorities have also organized a series of capacity building meetings for raising a nursery, preparing plantation sites, planting and post-planting maintenance. Three varieties of mangrove species — bani, rai, sinduka and garani.

Growth of mangrove plants is now visible at the swanky patch near the Chilika shorelines. ICZMP-sponsored mangrove plantation may be extended to other areas on the lagoon periphery in future based on the success of the present initiative.