Kendrapada (Odisha): On the occasion of the international day for the conservation of mangrove ecosystem, the responsibility falls upon us to save Bhitarkanika, the second-largest patch of mangroves in India, whose chances of survival are diminishing rapidly.
According to reports, Bhitarkanika, which holds diverse species of mangroves is rapidly deteriorating owing to soil erosion, deforestation and human activities.
A mangrove is a shrub or small tree that grows in coastal saline or brackish water. Due to an increase in construction activities, the sea is reclaiming the land and the forest is on the brink of submersion.
Odisha has a long coastline measuring approximately 482 km, five major rivers, reservoirs and water bodies, including Chilika, the largest brackish water lake of Asia.
Bhitarkanika is called the museum of mangroves and environmentalists have been fighting to save the region from intense prawn farming which is common in the coastal belt of Odisha.
Speaking to ETV Bharat, Biraja Prasad Pati, an environmentalist who has been associated with 'Save Bhitarkanika' initiative says that the forest holds almost 80% of mangrove species found across the globe and it is imperative for the country as well as the international community to preserve this rich land.
"Due to intense human activities, the mangroves are in a stressed condition. We are losing mangroves faster than our territorial forests. It is around 3-5 times faster," Biraja Prasad Pati said.
According to environment activists, human activities have resulted in land degradation and a portion of land being reclaimed by the sea at regular intervals. Hence, it becomes necessary to save the forest in order to sustain the ecosystem and economy associated with it.
Biraja Prasad Pati is of the opinion that due to the decrease in ecological flow in river Brahmani and Mahanadi, the salinity is increasing in Bhitarakanika. Meanwhile, experts also link the destruction of mangroves to the increasing cyclone threats in the state.
Read: Locals rescue rare yellow turtle in Odisha's Balasore
"Bhitarkanika is special because it has 72 species of mangroves, while Sunderbans has only 66 varieties. Mangrove is also a natural barrier against storm and cyclones. Odisha faced a major cyclone in 67' when Port of Paradip was constructed on a dense mangrove forest which had plenty of flora and fauna. Mangrove is necessary to protect the environment and offer livelihood to many villagers. It is also the residence of many animals," Ashish Kumar Senapati, an expert said.
"Earlier, a whole coastal area of Kendrapada district was covered with Mangrove forest. But now mafias have converted forest into prawn farms. The Odisha high court had also directed the division forest officer of Bhitarkanika to clear all the illegal prawn farms into forests. It is high time on part of the government to convert illegal farms into the mangrove forest," Ashish Kumar Senapati said.
Around 145 sq kilometres of Bhitarkanika has been designated as National Park. Hence the expansion of mangroves is further restricted even when with all the diversity Bhitarakanika is a suitable place for mangrove expansion.
In order, to curtail the depletion of mangroves, the responsibility falls upon local communities who depend on the forest for wood and other means, to take charge and spread awareness on benefits of mangroves.
Further, villagers need to create mangrove patch in there on wasteland and maintain the ecological flow of freshwater from upstream rivers so that salinity is maintained.
A common consensus has to emerge and with the support of government and local-self governments, the second-largest patch of mangroves can be brought back to its splendid best.
