Across the world, the rapid development of aquaculture in coastal areas has been accompanied by denudation of mangroves, exposing large swathes of the coast to erosion and natural disasters such as cyclones, storm surges and tsunami.
Realising the gravity of the threat, efforts have been launched to control mangrove deforestation and promote replanting and community-based management of the remaining mangrove resources.
The Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM), one of the research institutes under the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE), is embarking on an integrated mangrove-aquaculture project in the coastal brackish water region in nine districts.
Centre’s assistance
The Union Ministry of Science and Technology has pledged an assistance of Rs.1 crore for the project.
A total of 45 hectares will be brought under mangrove culture over a period of three years. The mangroves provide a natural habitat for the fish or shrimp to grow and breed.
“Designed to promote scientific and mangrove-friendly type of aquaculture, the ‘silvofishery’ model is an attempt to make brackish water aquaculture more environmentally sustainable,” explains N. Suvarnakumari, scientist and principal investigator of the project.
“Combining mangrove conservation with the high income potential of aquaculture has obvious advantages for stakeholders. Countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand have already adopted the system.”
The project seeks to plant different species of mangrove on the banks of aqua farms for water quality and environment management. Women self-help groups will be mobilised and trained to take up mangrove planting and shrimp or fish culture for livelihood improvement.
With their strong roots, mangroves reduce soil erosion and create a natural barrier against tidal surges and even tsunami. They also contribute significantly to the improvement of water quality.
Water samples will be collected from the sites at periodic intervals and analysed for quality. The project involves an awareness campaign on conservation of mangrove ecosystems for the benefit of coastal communities. “The government policy on mangroves has a tremendous impact on the socio- economic well being of the local people. The silvofishery project will address livelihood security and environmental sustainability,” says Ms.Suvarnakumari.
“Our objective is to restore the imperilled coastal mangrove ecosystems while allowing continued, lower input and sustainable production of fish and shrimps.”
In 2011, the CWRDM completed a two-year pilot project at Munroethuruth in Kollam where women members of five Kudumbasree units were roped in to plant 3,500 mangrove saplings around the bunds of aquaculture ponds.
Source:The Hindu,12-11-2012