Germany To Help Odisha In Conservation Of Bhitarkanika Mangroves

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German government agency, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), will conserve mangrove and biodiversity of Odisha’s Bhitarkanika National Park, India’s second-largest mangrove forest

The agency will provide livelihoods to villagers hit by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic around the park under Indo-German Biodiversity Programme Green recovery measures,
India’s unemployment rate surged to 27 per cent during the months lockdown was imposed. More than 40 million migrant workers were among the most affected.
Loss of job and income compelled them to return to their villages around Bhitarkanika, creating a labour surplus in these areas.
With a decline in job opportunities, a large number fell back on extraction of already stressed natural resources — forests, wetlands and rivers.
This has made agriculture and other natural resources-based production systems more vulnerable to climate change.
Green recovery measures offer employment opportunities to communities around the project sites in short term, while building long-term resilience through healthy wetland ecosystems, the forest officer said.
The primary objective of the project is to support implementation of livelihood-oriented conservation and restoration activities as well as train community members in alternative sustainable livelihoods.
The project is supported by International Climate Initiative (IKI) of German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU).
Ecosystem-based sustainable livelihood measures such as mangrove restoration, sustainable fisheries, handicraft-based activities and science-led horticulture will be implemented at Bhitarkanika.
The project will organise skill and capacity development training for local communities in alternative and sustainable livelihoods.
This will include training on pond management, raising nursery, sustainable fisheries, horticulture-based livelihood, skill upgradation for artisans and skill development for eco- tourism guides with help from local organisations, panchayat body members and self-help groups, the officer said.
BMZ is currently supporting research on forests and the global bio-economy, as well as understanding migration and remittances to improve forest management.
Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), a non-profit scientific research organisation, also receives funding from BMU for a study on climate research and multilevel governance.

What are Mangroves?

Mangroves are special types of trees and shrubs that are known to thrive in saline and low oxygen conditions.
These forests are critical habitats for a variety of wildlife and aquatic creatures.
Mangrove forests only grow at tropical and subtropical latitudes near the equator because they cannot withstand freezing temperatures.

Major Mangroves forests in India

Sundarbans Mangrove Forest, West Bengal
Bhitarkanika Mangroves, Odisha
Godavari-Krishna Mangroves, Andhra Pradesh
Gulf of Kutch Mangroves, Gujarat
Mangroves of Thane Creek, Maharashtra
Pichavaram Mangroves, Tamil Nadu
Chorao Island Mangroves, Goa
Baratang Island Mangroves, Andaman

Mangroves in India:

According to the India State of Forest Report, 2019,the mangrove cover in India is 4,975 sq km, which is 0.15% of the country’s total geographical area.

West Bengal has the highest percentage of area under total Mangrove cover followed by Gujarat and Andaman Nicobar Islands.
Bhitarkanika Mangroves:The second largest mangrove forest in India is Bhitarkanika in Odisha created by the two river deltas of River Brahmani and Baitarani.
It is one of the most significant Ramsar wetlandsin India.
Spread in a vast are of 672 Kms Bhitarkanika Indian Wildlife Sanctuary Orissa is the 2nd largest Mangrove ecosystems of India.
The National park is essentially a network of creeks and canals which are inundated with waters from rivers Brahmani, Baitarani, Dhamra and Patasalaforming a unique ecosystem.

It is the breeding place for the endangered salt water crocodiles which are the prime attractions of the sanctuary.
The Gahirmatha Beachwhich forms the boundary of the sanctuary in the east is the largest colony of the Olive Ridley Sea Turtles.

Besides increasing the vulnerability of the coastal communities, the decline of mangroves will also threaten the other organismal diversity that it supports.
Despite several studies in the past indicating that coastal areas shielded by the mangroves are less prone to damages caused by tsunamis than without mangroves, they continue to dwindle.
The mangroves are an essential part of the “build back better” strategy in response to sea storms, tsunamis, and cyclones.

Importance of Mangroves

They protect coastal areas from Tsunamis storm surges and soil erosions; due to their complex root systems which dissipate sea wave energy
Sediment deposition is a visible feature which arrests coastal erosion and seawater pollution
Many fish species and other fauna breeds here
They are an important source of livelihood for communities found in and around mangrove forests
Collection of Honey
Tanning
Wax
Fishing
They are carbon sinks

What are the existing threats to mangroves?

We are losing mangroves at a faster rate due to multiple reasons such as overuse, conversion for agriculture, extraction of wood, industrial settlements, construction of roads, and plastic pollution.

Global warming and sea-level rise may lead to further submergence of the mangroves and studies have shown that mangroves are pushed towards land due to sea-level rise over the period of time.
However, landward movement is limited by human settlements and other industrial activities.
Therefore, mangroves may be squeezed to a level where their conservation and restoration may not be possible.

Conservation of Mangroves

The state of Gujarat uses direct seed sowing, raised bed plantations, and fishbone channel plantations to restore degraded mangroves.
State of Andhra Pradesh has established Eco-DEvelopment Committees and Van Samrakshan Samithi to implement conservation projects in mangrove areas.
The state of Maharashtra has been implementing restoration, protection, regeneration, and maintenance techniques to conserve mangroves.
In Kerala, most of the mangroves are located on private land owned by people and it is difficult to enforce the laws on private lands.
However, it is possible to create awareness among the locals about the importance of mangroves; providing stewardship roles to the coastal communities and incentivising them with monetary benefits as well.
In addition to creating awareness, strengthening legal frameworks, increasing collaborations between various countries, incorporating best practices from each other, scientific studies are also needed with a focus on understanding their mechanisms to adapt to changing climatic regimes,

Q.Consider the following statements about Mangrove:

Mangroves are special types of trees and shrubs that are known to thrive in saline and low oxygen conditions.
Mangrove forests only grow at tropical and subtropical latitudes near the equator

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?