Mangrove Encroachments Threaten the Indian
Sundarbans
Prelims:
Environment & Ecology
Mains:
GS Paper III- Biodiversity
and Environmental Protection
Current
relevance:
The West Bengal Environment and Forest
Minister highlighted large-scale encroachment of mangrove forests in the
Sundarbans for the construction of shallow fishponds and announced that the
affected areas would be restored.
Highlights:
1.
Hundreds of acres of mangrove
forests in the Sundarbans have been encroached upon, primarily for the
construction of bheries (shallow fishponds), resulting in significant
loss of mangrove cover.
2.
The issue was discussed at a workshop titled "Strengthening
Mangrove Governance in the Indian Sundarbans through Technology Driven
Innovation, Knowledge Partnership and Co-management", organised by the
Nature Environment and Wildlife Society (NEWS) in collaboration with the
State Forest Department.
Nature
Environment and Wildlife Society (NEWS):
1.
A report prepared by NEWS identified over
600 hectares of mangrove forests encroached for the construction of bheries
at 10 locations, while indicating that the actual extent of encroachment
could be much higher.
2.
It recommended the establishment of a Mangrove
Management and Conservation Authority in West Bengal to strengthen mangrove
conservation and governance.
About
mangroves:
1.
West Bengal,
particularly the Sundarbans, contains the largest share of India's
mangrove cover, accounting for 42.45% of the national total cover.
2.
They are salt-tolerant (halophytic) trees and
shrubs that grow in the intertidal zones of tropical and subtropical
coastal regions.
3.
Found along estuaries, river deltas, lagoons,
mudflats, and sheltered coastal areas where freshwater and seawater
converge.
4.
Possess aerial roots (pneumatophores),
prop roots, or stilt roots for respiration and anchorage in waterlogged soils.
5.
Remove excess salt through
specialized glands or store salt in leaves, which are later shed.
6.
Vivipary: Seeds germinate on the parent plant before detachment, enhancing their
survival and successful establishment in tidal environments.
7.
Low-Oxygen Adaptation:
Specialized roots enable gas exchange in oxygen-deficient (anaerobic) soils.
Source: THE HINDU - https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/west-bengal-minister-vows-to-restore-mangroves-lost-to-encroachments-in-sundarbans/article71262808.ece