‘Extensive fishing near Mahabs has damaged sea sponges’

Coimbatore: Stressing on the importance to curb and keep a tab on fishing in the coastal areas, K Venkataramanan, senior scientific consultant with Anna University and former Zoological Survey of India director said extensive research on the corals was the need of the hour. He was speaking at the Indian Science Congress Association, Coimbatore chapter, held its national conference on biodiversity of the country at Kongunadu College of Arts and Science in the city on Tuesday.

"Nearly 50 per cent of the forests have been wiped out in the past 100 years, 70 per cent of the water bodies are polluted and 40 per cent of the mangroves have also been wiped out. Major portions of the corals have been bleached or silted. Unless conservation steps are not taken, the rich bio-diversity will be lost," Venkatraman said. He said that the country had framed several laws and signed many international treaties to protect its eco system. "Since the awareness about the issue is less, it has led to exploitation of resources. Extensive fishing at the Madras harbour (Chennai port) to Mahabalipuram section of the sea has led to the damage of sea sponges. Most of the protected areas have turned into hunting grounds for fishing," he said.

Vasuki C A, secretary and director of the college, who is also the chapter head, said this was the first time that the chapter held a national level conference in the city after its inception in 2008. "We organise various events to encourage students to indulge in research activities and take part in children's science congress and submit projects. Though talent is in abundance, funding becomes a major most of the time. Many students are unable to take part in international conferences mainly due to lack of funds," she said. The chapter has around 2,000 members that include graduates and public.

The three-day national conference will end on October 11 and various eminent scientists from various organisations such as SACON took part in the event.