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Rejuvenation of Mangroves for Disaster Management

Rejuvenation of mangroves on Balasore Coast as a step towards Disaster Management.

Dr. Ashok K. Panigrahi1, Mrs. Mishra2, Sri H.S. Behera3 ,Sri Bhanu Giri4 & Sri P.K.Giri5

Concept Paper: Immediately after the Orissa Super Cyclone of 1999,internationally reputed environmentalist Dr Vandana Shiva and the late Banka Bihari Das invited national and international environmentalists and thinkers in to a meeting held at Bhubaneswar on 26 January 2000 to assess the situation and develop a comprehensive and effective model which can prevent future large scale destructions of lives and properties of the coastal communities from sea borne disasters arising from the turbulent Bay of Bengal identified as the second most dangerous sea of the world after the Gulf of Mexico. The author1 being an invitee to that meeting presented a concept for the coastal district Balasore, which was subsequently published by the RFSTE, New Delhi, in a book, “Perspectives of Environment, an Analytical Study.”

Years after that Dr.Vandana Shiva arranged funds for the authors to implement the concept on the Balasore Coast. The authors, however, finding the conceptual site at the Balaramgadi Estuary lost to the Tsunami of 2004 decided to implement the same at the Sartha Estuary, also on Balasore Coast. Today there exist a substantial concentration of true mangrove diversity comprising of a total of about 2 lakh plants of 22 species in an area about 50 hectares of coastal mud flats at the Sartha Estuary on Balasore Coast. The site also creates the perspectives of a future research, education and ecotourism site. Besides, the plants do have known commercial and medicinal usages and that way it will benefit the local community in more ways.

HYPOTHESIS

A coastal evergreen diversity based mangrove forest consisting of trees on an area of 50 hectares of estuarine mud flats any where may be perused as a substantial concentration which in time and space and human care is sure to gain in size so as to effectively protect the local communities from sea borne disasters like tropical cyclone locally and counter the impacts global warming universally. Mangroves being ever green and large leaved, soak up large amount of carbon dioxide, the principal green house gas.

A tropical cyclone is characterized by creation of a low pressure on the sea surface that produces strong winds and flooding rain. It feeds on heat released by the condensing moist air. The latent heat gets converted into kinetic energy which, in term, results in the production of strong winds from the warm centre. These storms occurring in the northern hemisphere have counter clock wise rotations and the southern hemisphere, clock wise rotations, since they are form over the warm seas, they lose their strength once they move on to the land. Although they are devastating in their basic nature they, however, help in the glob al circulation of air mechanism. They carry heat and energy from the tropics to the poles. Some of these acquire a greater dimension resulting in massive devastations depending on the area of their formation on the warm sea surface. This is so when storms are aided by natural factors as tide levels and human factors as mangrove destructions. Mangroves are known to blunt and slow down the ferocity of the sea storm surges and reduce the wave actions that accompany these storms.

DISCUSSION

Before 2006 the said mud flat at the Sartha Estuary was just a pasture. The adjacent land was highly degraded and was being increasingly ravaged by the sea. The destruction was so big that a few cement –mortar- concrete buildings, housing an ice factory, a few shops and a doctor’s chamber were wholly or partially damaged causing their owners to abandon them and thereby incur huge financial losses. Even a fishing jetty under construction was also damaged and abandoned. The authors having visited the site interacted with the local community and decided to implement the project with their help essentially to evaluate whether plantation of mangroves really arrest the coastal degradations. There existed a few mangroves, here and there at the site, highly damaged, being browsed by thousands of domestic animals and plundered by the wood cutters. A total of about 20 trees belonging to the species Avicennia offcinalis 10 trees of Avicennia alba, one tree of Sonneratia alba one tree of Sonneratia apetala made up the total mangroves which existed in the Sartha Estuary at the time of implementation of the project.

MATERIAL-METHOD

After careful analysis it was decided to plant diversity based mangrove varieties having stilt root, buttress root, and pneumatophores belonging to the genera Avicennia, Sonneratia, Aegiceras, Rhizophora, Kandelia, Bruguiera, Ceriops, Xylocarpus, Phoenix, Excoecaria, Thespesia, Pongamia and Acanthus besides the already existing plant varieties and the weedy inconspicuous Porteresia.

Accordingly seeds/ propagules/ hypocotyles/rhizomes were collected from different sites far and near and the same were directly planted on the mud flat during and after the rains of 2006 & 2007..We were, however, advised to go for nursery for all the varieties and then transplant the same as per the following schedule.

1. May – June Ceriops, Kandelia, Thespesia and Aegiceras etc.

2. June – July Rhizophora, Bruguiera, Kandelia, Ceriops, Xylocarpus, Aegialitis and Excoecaria.

3. July – August Excoecaria, Sonneratia and Phoenix

4. September- October Avicennia, Thespesia, Pongamia and Sonneratia

OBSERVATION AND RESULT

Owing to paucity of time in the first year of the project we decided to plant the collected hypocotyls and seeds directly against the advice given to us. Fortunately, however, there was no casualty except for a beetle-pest attack which was managed by one spray of a pesticide The process was repeated the next year, when a new genus, Aegialities was included. The entire plantation area of about 50 hectares was put under fence, by specially woven nylon net of 5 feet width supported by hand made nylon rope and coal tar painted 7 feet high bamboo poles. Enough awareness in the locality was also created in favour of rejuvenation of the mangroves at the estuary. Nursery was undertaken only for Thespesia and Pongamia. We did not undertake nursery activities for Avicennia as advised rather preferred direct plantation of the seeds. Species wise plantation of seed/ propagules/hypocotyls at the site were as follows-

Sl No. Species Name Hypocotyle

Gen. Characters Native Name No of seeds/ propagules/

Hypocotyles/Rhizome

1. Kandelia candel 40 cm long hypocotyles Sinduka 39,100

2. Rhizophora stylosa Hypocotyls smooth not exceeding 30 cm Rai 20

3. Rhizophora apiculata Hypocotyls slender

50 cm long Rai 4,400

4. Rhizophora mucronata Hypocotyles slender

75 cm long Rai 750

5. Bruguiera gymnorhiza 18-25 cm long ridged Bandari 7,750

6. Bruguiera sexangula Hypocotyles stocky

10 cm long Bandari 1,150

7. Bruguiera cylindrica 16 cm long hypocotyles Kaliachua 12,850

8 Ceriops decandra Sharply ridged 12 cm long hypocotyles Garani 13,500

9. Aegiceras corniculatum 5-8 cm long hypocotyles Kharsi 10,300

10. Xylocarpus granatum 4 lobed fruits with dia. 25 cm Sisumar 4,050

11. Sonneratia alba Calyx six lobed, ribbed, petals white,tinged red, leaves are ovate. Orua 550

12. Sonneratia apetala Calyx 4 lobed, stigma mushroom shaped Kerua 150

13. Aegialitis rotundifolia Hypocotyles 7 cm long, saline tolerance high Banarua 42,000

14. Avicennia alba Seeds conical at top Kalabani 3,000

15. Avicennia officinalis Seeds almond shaped Dhalabani 11,000

16. Avicennia marina Seeds squarish to rounded Singhalabani 2,000

17. Excoecaria agallocha Exudes white latex on injury fruit 3 lobed schizocarp Guan 50

18. Thespesia populnea Leaves deeply chordate flower of 2 colors, fruits multi seeded Habali 8,000

19. Pongamia pinnata Leaves evergreen, ovate, fruits flattened Karanj 6,000

20. Phoenix paludosa Leaves like date palm but not thorny, fruits small, stem annular Hental 20* (did not survive)

21. Cynometra iripa Fruits bear a lateral beak Singada 30*(did not germinate)

22. Acanthus ilicifolius Gregarious shrub up to

2 m. tall, bluish white flower, leaves spiny margined Harkanch 4,000 (one thousand survived)

23 Porteresia coractata Grass like, leaves acicular, margin spinulose serrate Dhanidhan Millions have regenerated in the entire area.

Total no of seeds/propagule/hypocotyles/rhizomes survived to germinate and grow in the plantation area totals to 1, 67,620. In addition to this many seeds/hypocotyles of Avicennia and Rhizophora species which washed in to the plantation area rooted and survived. Similarly quite a few numbers of seedlings (not exceeding 5000) were washed out of the plantation area by four massive and successive floods accompanied by washed out floating weeds and other solid materials. Some hypocotyles especially those of Bruguiera gymnorhiza and Bruguiera sexangula collected as washed in materials on the coast far and near after the easterly winds were also planted, but a few of these (about a hundred or so) failed to germinate.

Different Eco-climatic parameters as observed

i. Month wise Salinity (in ppt.) Parameters of water in the plantation area.

Zero to 5 during the rainy months of July-August and September (3 months),

6 to 20 during the post monsoon and winter months of October to January (4 months)

21 to 36 (maximum) during the late winter and summer months of February to June(5 months)

Tidal incursion (in inches) parameter as recorded in the center of the plantation site,

according to the lunar calendar (starting with day 8th following the full moon night).

Zero inch -> 1 foot->1’5”->2’->2’5”->2’8”->3’->3’5”(moon less night)->3’8”->4’->4’5”->4’5”->

4’->3’->2’8”->2’->1’->10 inches->1 foot->1’5”->1’8”->2’->2’8”(full moon night)->3’->3’5”->

3’5”->3’->2’5”-1 foot->10 inches->5 inches (8th. Day following the next full moon night).

There occur two types of tides, High or Spring tide on the day following the full moon or moonless

nights and Neap tide around the second half of the lunar cycles. Watches can be adjusted to the timing of

the high tide, that is at 6 A.M. and 6 P.M. Following the high tide, the tidal incursions gradually get

delayed by one hour every following day until the neap tide and then accelerate at the same rate.

Experience gained from plantation

All mangroves seeds/ propagules/hypocotyles/rhizomes planted in area with mud thickness

exceeding 3 feet grew rapidly. Kandelia candel hypocotyles planted in such area grew to a

height of over four feet, developed stilt roots and started flowering exactly after one year of

plantation. Rhizophora sp. developed stilt root after one and half year of plantation of the

hypocotyles. Hypocotyles planted in areas where mud thickness was less than one foot had

stunted growth. Rhizomes of Phoenix did not survive and seeds of Cynometra did not germinate

may be because of high salinity(36 ppt) at the time of plantation. Plantations were mostly undertaken

during ebb tide which varied in time and duration in accordance with the lunar cycles and season.

Species wise plant growth (in m) as recorded in the plantation site in March, 2008

Maximum growth was achieved by Excoecaria agallocha (78”), followed by Kandelia candel and Sonneratia alba (both 55”), Avicennia officinalis, A. alba and Acanthus ilicifolius (all 40”), S. apetala,

Rhizophora mucronata and R. apiculata (all 32-33 inches), Xylocarpus granatum and Aegiceras corniculatum (both 22”), Derris indica and Thespesia populnea (18&17 inches respectively).Others such as Bruguiera sps.are all around 14/15 inches. The plants who have achieved the least growth include Ceriops decandra and Aegialitis rotundifolia, both having attained heights less than 6 inches even after one year of plantation. Of course, the thickness of mud at the site has been identified as a major factor influencing plant growth. From among the different species, Kandelia candel (at thick mud area) flowered exactly one year after, although no fruiting occurred through that flowering.

Note: Plantation at the site was initiated after the rains(September)in 2006 with mostly Kandelia candel and a few hundred Rhizophora apiculata. All others were planted in the next rains of 2007.

Economic importance of plants existing and planted in the estuary-

1. Tannin for coloring of fishing nets to enhance their lives- Bruguiera, Ceriops,

Sonneratia (apetala and alba) .

2. Tannin for leather industries- Rhizophora, Bruguiera and Ceriops.

3. Rope making and thatched house building- Phoenix.

4. House building and furniture making- Bruguiera, Avicennia, Xylocarpus

granatum.

5. Fencing- Phoenix, Excoecaria and Ceriops (wood and stems).

6. Fodder- Leaves of Avicennia and Porteresia coarctata.

7. Agricultureral equipments- Bruguiera, Avicennia and Ceriops wood.

8. Spread of population of Fish, Shrimp and Crab- Almost all mangrove specifically

plants like Rhizophora, Bruguiera,Avicennia are specific because of their

intricate root systems.

9. Honey and beeswax collection- Almost all mangroves but specifically Aegiceras

corniculatum; Bhittarakanika forest division produce about 50 quintals of pure

natural honey and an equal amount of beeswax annually.

10. Food- Rice collected from Porteresia is the staple food of most of the local tribal

and some non-tribal communities.

11. Sea born disasters – Generally the wood of mangrove plants are quite very

tough to break. In addition, the complex intricate and adaptive mangroves root system

prevent them from getting uprooted in the face of sea born disasters like cyclone and

hurricanes. Role of mangroves in saving coastal lives and property has been well

established during the last Orissa Super Cyclone at Bhitar Kanika and during Tsunami,

at Nagapattinam and Car Nicober.

PHYTO-THERAPEUTIC USAGES OF MANGROVES FOR PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

Through extensive studies on the therapeutic usages of mangroves it has identified that a total of 28

mangal species belonging to 19 families and 27 genera can be used effectively in the treatment 22

different human ailments and the same is being followed by the local inhabitants in and around the

Bhitarkanika National Park. Those of the mangroves of Sartha Estuary is given below.

Sl.

No. Species Name Local Name Plant Nature Mode of Administration

1. Kandelia candel Sinduka Tree 2 gm. bark paste+1 ml. zinger juice taken orally after dinner reduce blood pressure in 15 days .

2. Rhizophora mucronata Rai Tree 1.Freshly collected pneumatophore paste check bleeding immediately.

2. Bark boiled in water is used in jergling in case sore throat.

3. Bruguiera cylindrica Kaliachua Tree 1. Leaf decoction is administered 2 times daily after meals relieves constipation.

2. Bark paste is used to treat burns.

4. Ceriops decandra Garani Tree Bark decoction is externally applied to stop bleeding.

5. Xylocarpus granatum Sisumar Tree The seed oil extract is a very good mosquito repellant and is effective in a treating insect bites.

6. Aegialitis rotundifolia Banarua Tree 1. Its flower are an important source of honey.

2. The latex is used in case of toothache

3. The fruit paste taken orally before dinner increase appetite.

7. Avicennia alba Kalabani Tree The bark paste is applied externally to arrest bleeding and in treating fresh wounds.

8. Avicennia officinalis Dhalabani Tree 1. On ripe seed paste is used to suppress boils.

2. leaf paste is applied externally in the treatment of fresh joint pain.

3. 5 to 6 raw leaves chewed orally followed by intake of a cup of lukewarm water relieves indigestion and constipation.

9. Excoecaria agallocha Guan Tree 1. Root paste is applied externally on inflammations

2. Leaf pest is used in the treatment of

Injuries caused by marine animals.

3. The latex is applied externally in the treatment of scabies, eczema and ringworm

10. Thespesia populnea Habali Tree 1.Oil extract is applied externally in case of joint pain.

2. Bark decoction is rubbed 2-3 times daily on injuries caused by the leeches.

11. Cynometra iripa Singada Tree 1. Seeds are boiled and eaten to relieve stress conditions.

2. 2/3 freshly collected matured seed taken orally with little sugar 2 times a day foe three days cures amoebic dysentery.

12. Acanthus ilicifolius Harkanch Herb 1. warm leaf decoction is applied thrice daily for 15 days in case of acute joint pains

2. Root paste mixed with equally amounts of koloth dal and old jaggery is applied as a paste in case of b one fracture.

13. Porteresia coractata Dhanidhan Tree It is viewed as an ideal material for modern bio-tech research in paddy in developing resistant and medicinal varieties which can rejuvenate.

14. Ipomoea pescarpae Kansarilata Creeper Leaf pest is used in the treatment of inflammation caused by the jelly fish.

CONCLUSION:

Diversity based mangroves forests can be created at every estuary irrespective of the salinity of

water in the Bay of Bengal. However, the most important factor for the growth of the mangal

varieties of plants is the thickness of estuarine mud, minimum 2 feet and above is essential.

Selected references:

1. Five Steps to Successful Ecological Restoration of Mangroves, Mangrove Action project/

Yayasan Akar Rumput laut, April 2006- Yogyakarta, Indonesia

2. Mangroves of Orissa , 1992 PROJECT SWARAJYA, Cuttack.

3. Pictorial Guide to Mangrove Flora of Bhitarkanika, 2004, Mangrove Forest Division, Govt. of Orissa.

4. Restoration of Mangrove habitat, Lewis, R.R, ERDC TN-WRP-VN-RS-3.2, October 2000

5. Disused Shrimp Ponds and Mangrove Rehabilitation, Stevenson, N.J, R.R Lewis, and P.R. Burbridge, Wetlands International-Africa, Europe and Middle East, PO Box 7002, Droevendaalsesteeg, 3a, 6700

CA, Wageningen

6. , Nederland.

7. Principle of Successful Restoration of Shrimp Aquaculture Ponds Back to Mangrove Forests, Lewis, R.R and Marshall, M.J (1997), programa/resumes, Convenciones de la Habana, Cuba.126.

8. Ecological Engeering for Successful management and restoration of Mangrove Forests, Lewis R.R., Ecological Engineering 24 (2005) 403-418

*Authors, 1 to 5 Addresses : PPBSA, Ranipatna, BALASORE, Orissa, India,

Author 1- Telephone ( 916782 ) 264867, Mobile:919437295838;e-Mail ID: drakpanigrahi@yahoo.com, and he wishes to share his experience with others who are interested in raising mangroves any where.

About the Author

Author is an avid natrure analyst,has worked on & written books,research papers and short & large articles on several aspects of the nature such as farming,forest,food and water etc.

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