Concerned over the dwindling mangrove cover, the Forests Department has initiated steps to evolve an institutional framework for the conservation of mangrove forests and marine biodiversity in the State.
While Kerala is estimated to have a mangrove cover of around 22.4 sq km, only around 300 hectares has been notified as reserve forests.
However, mangrove and marine biodiversity conservation has always remained on the margins of enforcement, despite the avenue coming under the ambit of the Social Forestry wing.
Initiating measures to address the lacunae, the Forests Department organised a brainstorming session of forest officials, marine scientists and conservation experts to chalk out a strategy to evolve an institutional framework for the purpose. Senior officials from other States, including Maharashtra which has pioneered mangrove conservation in the country, participated in the day-long workshop on coastal and marine biodiversity conservation initiatives in Kerala that was organised at the headquarters of the Forests Department.
Reverses trend
Initiating the discussions, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force P.K. Kesavan pointed that the State which failed to adopt major steps in the conservation of mangroves in the past has focused its efforts on reversing the trend.
While around 300 hectares of mangroves were notified as reserve forests in 2015, another 70 hectares, including 8 hectares in Chettuva in Thrissur, were in the final stages of notification, he said.
“We have also identified another 400 hectares that could be potentially taken over, either by being handed over by other departments or on payment from private individuals,” he said.
According to Chief Wildlife Warden Surendrakumar, the ongoing efforts were in line with the National Wildlife Action Plan for 2017-2031 that recommends the formation of a separate cell as institutional framework for conserving particular ecosystems.
The proposed body will become the implementing agency for mangrove and marine biodiversity protection.