Hara Mangrove Forests of the Persian Gulf
Prelims:
Environment
& Ecology
Mains:
GS Paper III-
Environment & Ecology
Current relevance:
Recent
satellite images have revealed a major oil spill off the southern coast of
Qeshm Island, Iran, threatening the ecologically important Hara mangrove
forests.
Highlights:
Location
& Ecological Features:
1.
The Hara forests are mangrove forests of the Persian Gulf,
extending across the Strait of Hormuz.
2.
They are closely associated with Qeshm Island, an Iranian island
in the Persian Gulf.
3.
The forests mainly consist of grey mangrove (Avicennia marina).
4.
Their roots possess a special
filtration system that enables the trees to survive in highly saline
conditions.
5.
Mangrove roots help protect coastlines against erosion.
6.
They are significant carbon sinks, sequestering substantially
more carbon than terrestrial forests.
7.
According to UNESCO, the Hara Biosphere Reserve in
Iran was designated in 1976 under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere
(MAB) Programme.
Biodiversity &
Socio-economic Importance:
1.
The forests serve as an important nursery for marine organisms,
including shrimp, crabs and numerous fish species.
2.
They support the region's fisheries and local food chain.
3.
Their canopy provides an important migratory bird habitat,
including for the great stone-curlew and various herons.
4.
The mangroves form the backbone of sustainable tourism programmes
on Qeshm Island, attracting visitors to their waterways.
5.
They are crucial for the lives and livelihoods of local communities
and for maintaining the Persian Gulf's natural heritage.
Threat from the Oil Spill:
1.
Heavy fuel oil has begun washing ashore, directly threatening the
mangrove ecosystem.
2.
Oil contamination could severely affect marine nurseries, fisheries,
migratory birds and coastal protection.
3. Environmentalists warn that destruction of the forests could cause a collapse of the local food chain and weaken natural coastal defences.
4. The ongoing West Asia conflict is obstructing cleanup operations, increasing the risk of long-term damage to the Hara forests.
Source: THE HINDU - https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/major-oil-spill-threatens-hara-mangrove-forests-in-persian-gulf/article71352122.ece