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FYI-sometimes natural disasters benefit the environment.
Subject: [sea-peat] Article: Tsunami, a blessing for mangrove forests
Tsunami, a blessing for mangrove forests
Mangrove forests in the coastal areas have not only withstood the impact of nature's fury but have acted as a shield for the population there.
CHENNAI, UNI:
The December 26 tsunami has wrecked the entire coastline, but has turned the mangrove trees more greener.
The dense mangrove forests stood like a wall and had acted as a shield against the tsunami, saving the coastal communities in atleast five hamlets in Pichavaram in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu when the giant tidal waves swept the coast. After bearing the brunt of the tsunami, the mangrove forests, grown in about 1,500 hectares of area in Pichavaram, turned more healthy as the tidal waves widened the mouth, paving way for entry of more fresh sea water. Besides, the strong waves flushed out the hydrogen sulphate content in the area, according to Dr V Selvam, Project Director (Mangroves), Dr M S Swaminathan Research Foundation here.
Dismissing as false that the mangrove trees were withering after being hit by tsunami, he said, while the wild trees on the coastline could not bear the enhanced salinity, the tsunami had come as a blessing in disguise for the mangroves. "Now that there is a free flow of sea water, the trees are growing very well," Dr Selvam said. Last year, the forests faced the danger of withering away with the salinity level rising to an alarming 60 gms per litre.
"Except the frontline trees, 99 per cent of the trees are in good health," Dr Selvam, who had visited the mangrove forests after the tsunami devastation, observed.
Now that it had been proved that mangrove forests could withstand the impact of nature's fury on the coastal population, the government could take up generation of mangroves on the east coast in the fast track, Dr Selvam suggested.
This called for a Joint Mangrove Management Approach, he said, adding that with the involvement of experts, local people, Central and State governments and non-governmental organisations, the coastline could be protected with mangrove forests.
In Nagapattinam, mangroves could be grown in an area of about 6,000 hectares near Nagore, where there was extensive mud, thanks to the Upanar river in the area, Dr Selvam said.
Above article was taken from Deccan Herald - dated sat Jan 8, 2005
http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/jan082005/n16.asp
“All the forces in the world are not so powerful as an idea whose time has comeâ€
Victor Hugo
FYI-sometimes natural disasters benefit the environment.
Subject: [sea-peat] Article: Tsunami, a blessing for mangrove forests
Tsunami, a blessing for mangrove forests
Mangrove forests in the coastal areas have not only withstood the impact of nature's fury but have acted as a shield for the population there.
CHENNAI, UNI:
The December 26 tsunami has wrecked the entire coastline, but has turned the mangrove trees more greener.
The dense mangrove forests stood like a wall and had acted as a shield against the tsunami, saving the coastal communities in atleast five hamlets in Pichavaram in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu when the giant tidal waves swept the coast. After bearing the brunt of the tsunami, the mangrove forests, grown in about 1,500 hectares of area in Pichavaram, turned more healthy as the tidal waves widened the mouth, paving way for entry of more fresh sea water. Besides, the strong waves flushed out the hydrogen sulphate content in the area, according to Dr V Selvam, Project Director (Mangroves), Dr M S Swaminathan Research Foundation here.
Dismissing as false that the mangrove trees were withering after being hit by tsunami, he said, while the wild trees on the coastline could not bear the enhanced salinity, the tsunami had come as a blessing in disguise for the mangroves. "Now that there is a free flow of sea water, the trees are growing very well," Dr Selvam said. Last year, the forests faced the danger of withering away with the salinity level rising to an alarming 60 gms per litre.
"Except the frontline trees, 99 per cent of the trees are in good health," Dr Selvam, who had visited the mangrove forests after the tsunami devastation, observed.
Now that it had been proved that mangrove forests could withstand the impact of nature's fury on the coastal population, the government could take up generation of mangroves on the east coast in the fast track, Dr Selvam suggested.
This called for a Joint Mangrove Management Approach, he said, adding that with the involvement of experts, local people, Central and State governments and non-governmental organisations, the coastline could be protected with mangrove forests.
In Nagapattinam, mangroves could be grown in an area of about 6,000 hectares near Nagore, where there was extensive mud, thanks to the Upanar river in the area, Dr Selvam said.
Above article was taken from Deccan Herald - dated sat Jan 8, 2005
http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/jan082005/n16.asp
“All the forces in the world are not so powerful as an idea whose time has comeâ€
Victor Hugo