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Conservation Of Mangrove Ecosystems

Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees that grow in swamps and are mainly found along the coast. In India, mangroves are found in West Bengal, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Goa,etc. These salt-tolerant trees protect the water quality by removing pollutants; they also prevent soil erosion and are responsible for better air quality.

The root system of these mangroves makes them an ideal spot for fish and other organisms seeking food and shelter from their predators.


Some of the mangrove fauna categories include crocodiles, lizards, turtles, mud clams,etc. Among the fish, one can find the giant perch (chonak), mullets (shevte), sand whiting (muddoshi), snapper (tamoso), grouper (gobro), catfish (sangot), and others. The cormorant, great cormorant, large egret, Indian shag,grey heron, and painted stockbird form part of the mangrove ecosystem.



However, in recent times, due to commercial as well as industrial development, several of these mangroves have been cut down, which in turn has threatened the mangrove ecosystem and all its species. This destruction of mangroves has also led to the loss of fisheries, increased flooding, increased coastal damage from cyclones, and the release of large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.


   GOAN MANGROVES...ON THE RETREAT


    As an initiative towards conserving this mangrove ecosystem, July 26 is celebrated as International Day for the Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystems. Various groups and NGOs have already started taking steps to spread awareness about this cause. We all, as residents of this planet, ought to put in efforts in order to conserve it.

                                                       



                                                                

-Alloysha Dias 


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Picture credit: Google 

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