FACTORS AFFECTING THE DISTRIBUTION AND

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CONSERVATION OF MANGROVE

FLORA OF COCHIN

u 1nt:coduction

]Major Problems to Mangroves in Different

:Stations

lieview of Mangrove Conservation Activities

il Management of Cochin Mangroves

u Scope of Mangrove Tourism at Cochin

o Mangrove Reforestation at Cochin-Action Plan

3 Recornendations of the Study

FACTORS AFFECTING THE DISTRIBUTION AND

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CONSERVATION OF MANGROVE

FLORA OF COCHIN

INTRODUCTION

Mangroves were long considered as wastelands and as a consequence had

been cleared or used as dump-yards of wastes. In spite of the favourable climate there are

no larger formations of mangroves in Cochin. The most important reason for this is the

population pressure. Reclamation of the estuarine coasts for human settlements has been

in progress since the 1970s, as a result of which mangroves are extensively destroyed.

The net result is that the mangroves of Cochin are reduced to a few patches that is mostly

under private control. In this circumstances an extensive awareness programme related to

the value of mangroves, conservation and utilization among decision makers and the

public should be urg~ntly instituted.

Major proble~~ls to mangroves observed in different stations studied in Cochin area

Kannarnali

Mangroves have almost disappeared from this area. During monsoon

every monsoon heavy seashore erosion occur in this area and mangroves are being

retlioved to construct sea walls along the coastline.

Kun~balallgi

Xlangrove areas are disappearing due to the dumping of wastes. hlangrove

flood warel and soil an: highly polluted. Mangroves of this area are also under heavy

populatio~l pressure

Kumbalam

Mangrove sites are decreasing due to landfilling in this area. Cochin - Alapuzha road and r,ail construction badly affected the mangroves o f this region.

Nettoor

Mangrove areas have disappeared from here because of the construction of

rail lines and bypas:$ r'oad. The national highway bypass and the Alapuzha railway tract

traverse through mangrove patches. All this area is under the pressure of landfilling, and

construction of human settlements.

Maegalavanani

Prev:iously this area was a wood depot. Now what is seen there is

secondary mangrove growth. Mangalavanam is declared as a protected area but no

conservation of' mangroves are being achieved. This area is subjected to oil and sewerage

pollution

Paaambukad

I-lere mangrove area are converted into " Chemmeenkettu " i. e.. prawn

farms I'he constnlction of bridges under the Goshree project is likely to hinder the

growth of mangroves of this place. People of this area depends on mangrove for fire

wood and, for fishing activities.

Pnthuvyptr

Mangrove areas are highly polluted due to the dumping of domestic waste.

The rii;~ti~l-ove fbrrnation at the station is probably the only location very close to the

seafront in the Stale. Here land is continuously being accreted. Mangroves are not being

vrotecled at t111s station.

Pallipuram

The debris of ice factory (peeling shed) are creating environmental

problerns directly to the growth of mangroves. There are no conservation attempts.

Karun~allor

Mangroves are degraded due to landfilling, conversion t o paddy fields -

and planting coconut trees At this station tile factories and small-scale brick

manufacturing units are also destroying mangroves frequently.

Pattanam

hlansroves are fast disappearing here due to landfilling and urbanization.

Mangrove locations are considered to be regions for dumping of domestic wastes.

Moothrkunliar~~

[.and filling and development of coconut plantations in the mangrove

areas are the major reason for the destruction. Often mangrove regions are used for the

retting of fibers, eventually causing damage to mangrove spread in this area. Brackish

water channels to the mangrove areas are being filled up due to several developmental

activities

Factor:; 08f destruction and damage leading to depletion of mangroves in

Cochin area can be sumrnarised as follows.

Factors of destruction and damage leading to depletion of mangrove forests in Cochin area

Factors of clest ruction Damage r----------- ----- - I

1.ar1d reclamation for housing. Destruction of Storm damage

I maliyove forests i

Coastai erosion i I I I J

I I Damage to coconut I

! - plantations I i

D~lmping grounds I I

t2 I I I, i I

I I I

Increasing demand of firewood, for fishing etc.

actikities J i

Over cutting

Oil pollution 1 I I

-

I I

I

I

1 I

Damage to shellfish

Destnlction of

4- animals etc. Damage to life

1 I I

Decreasing fishery

I -

I I

I I

resources

I I

I I I

I --

mangrove ecosystems

I 1

I I I

-

I I I i

-

I I

Damage to houses and buildings

1

I i

I I I .

L-- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - l I

L-------------,----A

Coconut plantations

I I I I I I

I I I I

Rettins ofcoconut fibres

I

I I I 1 1 I

Decreasing birds, wild 1

Ecological, hydrological and sedimentary factors influencing mangroves

of Cochin area have been discussed in the chapters 2, 3 and 4 respectively. All these

factors are highly powerhl in controlling the distribution of mangroves of this area.

Eventhough the mangroves are less flexible ecologically when compared to other plants,

due to their unique habitat, they adapt to the specific environmental factors for their

growth and establishment. Deterioration of these factors usually subtle their ecological

balance which may lead them to perish. Those mangroves whose tolerance limit is high

may surllbr 111 areas where anthropogenic and environmental stress is high In Cochin

area the prebent investigation revealed that the mangrove growing in different pockets are

under threat Slight va.riation in the prevailing conditions may deplete their sustainable

growth

This !study of the mangroves of Cochin concludes that without an

integrated management plan for the area environmental degradation will continue,

possibly leading to collapse of the resource.

Review of Mangrove Conservation Activities

There is an imperative need to protect and conserve the mangrove

ecosystem which ha:; a direct bearing on production of aquaculturally important

organisms Due to the ecc>logical. biological, and economic importance of the mangroves,

it is essential to protect and develop the mangroves. industrial pollution, dredging for

landfills and building ports, industrial estates and housing estates for human habitation

destroyed mansroves in India. Habitat protection is the only means to conserve this

special group ot.plants sirrce ex srrt~ conservation is not successful with mangrove species

(Venu, 109") Several attempts are being done by the Government and non governmental

agencies to conserve mangroves all over the world. Japan and Vietnam along with other

eleven Asian countries have signed to the convention on wetlands of international

importance for the jprotection of mangroves (Cheryl, 1986). Some recent articles in the

Bangkok post have reported that officials in Bankhun Thian, a sea coast district of

Bangkok, are going to try mangrove replanting as a way to curb the massive erosion that

have been tearing away at the shore over the last few decades. Brazil and Germany

jointly have carried out an integrated project on mangrove dynamics and management for

the protection arld utilization of tropical coastal ecosystems (Anonymous, 1995).

Accordins to Erftemeijer (1997) a pilot project is working with local communities in the

Pattani Bay area, 'Thailand to replant over 100 hectares of mangroves in areas degraded

by logging for charcoal or abandoned after being used for intensive shrimp farming. The

mangrove action project provides essential services to grass roots associations and other

proponents of mangrove conservation (Anonymous, 1999~) . It q ordinates and functions

as information clearing house on the mangrove forests, promote awareness of mangrove

forest issues and publicize within the developed nations. The basic needs and struggles of

3'" WOI-Id coastal fishing and farmirig communities affected for the financial help. A

decisiori to improve protection of mangrove forests in South Chinas Guangxi Zhuang

autonomous region has been passed by the standing committee of the peoples congress of a

Beihai a coastal city in the region (Anonymous, 2000). The prohibition on mangrove I

cutting in l:cu:idor, introduced in July of 1994 for a period of five years, has been

renewed ~ndetirlitcl:; by Residential Decree. The 22% of mangroves still standing can

now be hdndeti ovel to trad~tional peoples so that they can continue to depend on them

for tliel~ l ~ \ e l r t ~ ~ > o d

The Indian mangrove ecosystem varies in every coastal state of India. It is

therefore. necessary to cons~der each areas separately for management, exploitation and

other land uses. National m\ngrove committee of India, created by the Ministry of

environment and forests, God. of India 1979 recommended for mapping, survey and

conservation of mangrove forests in India (Untawale, 1986). The proposed action plan for

mangrove project in India is given below.

/ Dept. of E~~vironmcnt

I Govt. of India I

Slate Level Comminees for all

Forest Dcpl.. Lancl survey Dept.. Agri t)ept.. River Navigation Dcpt., Cap. of Pons. Industries. Dept.. i Pollut~on Con:rs31 Boards. Rcscarcb org.. Environnic~rtal Dcpl.. Teaching iastitutions. Social Org.

\+angrove protection programmes are also launched in Kerala by

individuals and volentary organizations. Kunji (1999) have described about the

importance of'mangrove protection along the coastal Kerala. A marine National park is

rnadc b) the people's participation near Kolavi bridge at Pyyoli in order to protect marine

turtle by planting mangroves (Kumar, 2000). Conservation of Kumarakom mangroves,

fringing the Ven~biinad estuary is described by Ramachandran and Mohanan (1987)

giving an action plan for the rehabilitation of mangrove habitat. The Kerala State

Committee on Science Technology and Environment has supported the planting of

niangrove seedlings in Veli estuary successfully (Joy and Joseph, 1998). Mohanan (2000)

reponed that the Payyannoor mur~icipality has taken up a project to conserve the

mangroves of' that area. The environmental NGO's in Kerala have done some isolated

attempts to protect the mansroves. With the rise of environmental movements many

suggestion ha\,e been put foward and implemented to conserve the mangrove ecosystem.

The concept of mangrove tourist resorts is gaining ground (Thomas and Fernandez,

1994) Mangrove location such as Veli, Kumarakom and Neendakara are already well

known tourist centres of Kerala. Afforestation programme under the leadership of

Pokkudan is taking place in the Northern Kerala (Somanath, 1995). Vineesh (2000)

reponed abour the attempt made by the environmentalists of Kunjimangalam, to protect

mangroves on the banks of Vannathypuzha. They have a scheme of purchasing mangrove

lands f iom the owners., and local administration to plant mangroves with the sponsorship

of nature lovins individuals.

MANAGEMENT OF COCHIN MANGROVES

\ joint mangrove management system which incorporates the elements of

sustainable de\elop~nei~t and genuine community participation is urgently required to

conservc tlic r~.t~lairiing healthy mangroves and to restore the degraded mangrove

wetlands of' ('ochin The management plan should be developed in close consultation

with the local people. Local irlstitutional strengthening should be emphasized throughout

the development of the management plan. Mastaller. (1996) have identified several

elements for the stringent management plans for reestablishing mangrove wetlands. They

are proper land use planning, preparation of comprehensive inventory of the natural

resources, public education and training (awareness building), creation of an adequate

lagislative base and institutional arrangements, restoration of damaged mangrove forest

areas, introduction of' social forestry schemes, creation of nature reserves, appropriate

technical assistance, and innovative research progammes. These strategic approach can

be adopted to the conservation of Cochin mangroves also. As the situation clearly

demands improvement, one of'the limitation to be confronted is the lack of scientific and

technical manpower. Adequate number of well trained researchers and their active,

dedicated participation will generate the comprehensive and accurate information needed

by planners and decision makers in order to arrive at judicious decisions in the allocation,

disposition and management of mangrove resources in a region. Besides planting of

mangroves, the attempts should be made to support for alternative income-generating

initiatives. works on environmental awareness, community, organisation, training of

community leaders and distribute information on the projects progress through news

letters in various languages, local radio and television broadcastings and the production

of various reports and publications.

In order to reduce the degradation of mangrove forests, Jayasundramma el

nl. (1987) suy~ested the follo\+ing approaches as remedial strategies to be adopted in the

future I ) Using and developiny the modem techniques such as remote sensing technique

to identify the total mangrove area including marshes 2). Promoting awareness among

fisherman communities and other population living along the brackish water belt about

the rnangrove ecosystem and its protection. 3). Mangroves are the only sources of fuel

and domestic requirements of wood for human settlements in some coastal areas. This is

the main reason for the destruction of mangroves all over the coast. Hence providing non

conventional sources of fuel to coastal people for cooking will serve in avoidance of

destruction of manxroves. 4). Experimental afforestation of selected areas with a view to

establishiny mangrove nurseries for future development.

According to local Agenda 21 of International Council for Local

Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI, 1996), there are three distinct development processes

are underwav at the loscal level i). Economic development. ii). Community development

and i i i ) Ecological development. Each of these three processes has its own distinct

imperatives Sustainable development of mangrove wetlands requires identification of

processes that can improve the social and economic conditions.of the local mangrove

user communities viitllout affecting the factors that maintain the health and of the

mangrove \vetlands. Different groups of communities are often interested in quiet

different aspects and resources of mangrove wetlands (Mermet, 1990). The concept of

communlt\ palticipation has been an increasing and prominent theme of recent policy

initiatives about natural resources management, including coastal resources such as

tisheries. coral reefs 'sand mansroves (Selvam, 1998). With this view, M.S. Swaminathan

Research l:oc~ndation (hlSSRF) and Tamil Nadu State Forest Department have launched

a project 'Coastal wetlands: manst-ovr conservation and management ' with the support of

India Canada Environment Facility, New Delhi. As a part of the programme MSSRF has

developed o senera1 strategy fol- cornnlunity participation which is being followed in

the it~iplernentation of the project. A flow chart representing this strategy is given below.

1). Situation Analysis --

Identification-mangrove panern of resource utilizat~on. Social and physical causes and degree degradation. Management practices of the government agencies, social scenario, selection of wardslhamlets.

-

2). Partnership Development

Community-Ciovernment agencies - N W s and r- building, entry point activities and sensitization.

3). Community Based lssue Analysis - opportunities and resources. Prioritizing problems and issues

technological intervention, assessment .

+ 4). Group Formation

wardlvillage level councils; formation of working groups empowering to make decisions

I

5). Microplanning for Joint Mangrove Management

Settins soals and targets - strategy development. Activities and formalizing microplans Getting commitments and role fixing.

6). Implementation and Monitoring

I + 7). Evaluation and Feed back

8). Kefining Joint hlenagenient plan and Extension

To arrest firther desradation of the health and wealth of the Cochin

manyro\.e \vetlands the current sectoral approach in the management of the resources

needs to be modified incorporating the elements of sustainable development and

community participation. A general framework described above may be helpful to

prepare and implement community based joint mangrove management plans.

Biodiversity register of Ernakulam district is already prepared through the peoples

participation (Prasad, 1999). The register is a transparent public documentation of

species. their status, use and conservation. The methodology involves documenting

knowledge and perception of local people about biodiversity and conservation at the

Grama Panchayath level.

Scope of hlangrove Tourism at Cochin

In Kerala about 88% of the total mangrove area is under private control.

Many of these areas are to he ear-marked for the development into a mangrove tourist

spot by the (iovernrnent Mangalavanam of Cochin deserves special mention because this

is a mangrove area brought up with the prime intention to establish it as a mangrove -

picn~c spot 7 he main tourist attraction here is the peculiar rich mangrove avain fauna

which 1s present throughout the year

The (entire Mangalavanam mangrove area should be divided into a core

area, where most of the rare species of plants and animals occur, and a fringe area where

tourists ma\ be permitted. The areas can be demarked using sign boards and also the

natural \vatel \cays in the area. 'There are some negative aspects also in the establishment

of a mangrove touri:jt resort. They are 1). The mangroves in the areas may be destroyed

to sonic extent by the activities of tourists. 2). The motor boats operated through the

channels of mangrove system can be detrimental to the biotic components due to the

spillage of oil in water. 3). As the number oftourists increase the waste disposal would be

a difficult probleni. 4). Construction works and reclamation etc in the mangrove area will

destroy the mangrove ecosystem. 'There is ample scope for developing a full-fledged

mangrove tourist resort at Mangalavanam, without either interfering with the ecological

stabilitv of the system.

Mangrove Reforestation at Cochin : Action Plan

I t is not difficult to replant mangroves in the areas where trees have been

partly cut However, if mangrove habitats have been completely destroyed, it would be

very hard to replant due to the change in environmental conditions. All the channels

linking the mangrove wetlands and estuarinetbrackish water should be cleared as the first

step to reestablish mangroves. This should be done at the stations such as Nettoor,

Kumbalam and Ku~nbalangi areas of Cochin. Following is a description of reforestation

programme in areas where mangroves have been quite disappeared (stations such as

Kumbalangi, Kumb.alam, Pallipuram, Kammallor, Pattanam and Moothakunnam).

Species Selection

The species should be selected according to their physiological

characteristics and other factors as follows.

1 . Ability to zrow on sand/silt

2. Ability to grow i n brackish water

3 . Tolerarice to wind. .waves and tidal currents.

4. Endemic to Cochin area.

Suitable Species to be Selected at Cochin Area

The present study revealed that the following mangrove sps are suitable to

plant at different locations. Name of species, study site, suitable sps and propagules to be

selected at various lc~cations of Cochin are given below.

Name of station Panchayath Suitable species

Kannan~ali 1 Karinamali 1 Xhizophora rni~croirata Lamk.

Rrrlgrriera cyliirdrrca W A . -- ~~~ ~-

Kumbalangi kurnbalangi Soirt~eralin cn.seoltrris L.

?pay for / lantin

Seedling

Seedling

Seed

Nettoor Wlaradu Khizophora

Kurrdelia carrJrl L. ~- --

rMangalavanarn TC'ochin I T B r u p t i e o 1

C~orporation

Panambukad

Puthuvypu Seedling ~ ~ ~ -

Pallipuram 1 Pallipuram I<xcoecaria agallochn L.

Karurnallor ' - 1 Karumallor - T Y o t ~ t ~ e r a t i u

I Excoecaria itrdiccr I, .

~ ~ ~ & ---- ~ ~.~~ ~-

I'attanam L

1 Chittattukara I A~?ct'/i,riu officii101i.s L . Seed --- ~ - -~ I

Moothakunnani Vadakkekara Seed

Small mangrove areas other than the stations studied for this investigation

can be also used for mangrove afforestation. During afforestation programme one should

primarily consider water depth, tidal action, wave activity, and the wracklines. A major

problem in successful planting is the difficulty in finding suitable location with adequate

and appropriate environmental conditions favourable to the rooting and sustenance of the

mangrove during its early stages of development.

Techniques for Plantation

There is very limited knowledge on the methods of mangrove plantation in

Cochin area The techniques of planting should be established through repeated trials.

Figure 9 sives the flowchart of basic considerations to be followed in formulating an

action programme for mangrove planting.

Nursery Technique

A mangrove nursery should preferably be located near the estuary or sea

in the lowlying area which gets inundated during the high tide. This type of location

ensures automatic ,watering of the mangrove seedlings twice a day during the high tide,

thereby reducing the cost of I-aising seedlings in the nursery. As far as possible, nursery

site should also be close to planting site so as to minimise the cost of transportation of

seedling from the nursery to the planting site.

Som.e of the mangrove species like Khizophorn, Hrr~grriera and Karrdelia

are vivipa~ous Matured and healthy propagules from these species are collected and

directly planted in the field Therefore, seedlings of these species are not being raised in

the nurser!. On the other hand aviparous species of mangroves like Alicerrrriq

Sor~rr~~~trlr~r etc are raised in the nursery for eventually planting out.

To raise the seedlings of aviparous mangrove species in the nursery, pre-

perforated polythene bags of 12 cm x 20 cm size are filled with sandy - silty - clay and

are arranged in the beds. Perforated polythene bags are used in the nursery, so as to

promote interaction of water inside and outside the polythene bag. Healthy seeds are

sown in the polythene bags. After a period of about 12 to 15 days seedlings comes out.

P l a n t r t i o ~ ~ Areas

See'dlings must be planted only in areas adequately shielded from any

substantial wave action or upland run-off An extent of 101 ha of land supporting

rnangl-ove patches exists at Puthuvypu. This area is being used by the Kerala Agricultural

University for research in the field of brackish water fish farming. This may be the

biggest marlgrove area available in the Kerala coast. Mangrove afforestation at Cochin

area can begin at this place Lands belonging to forest department at Mansalavanam and

lands under the contn~l of Indian Railways at Nettoor also should be given top priority

while selectiny mangrove plantation area. In the other places, where it is possible to plant

mangroves, sites should be chosen by the local people.

In the ;areas of relatively higher salinity Hhizophorn n~rrcror~ufa Lamk.,

A I ' I C ~ ~ I I I I I C I .A/).\. Hrr~p~lrtrn cj~lir~~lriccr W A . and Soroirmtirr c~~seolnris L, have shown good

growth results while in the areas of relatively lower salinity, Kattdelin cnrtdrl L., - AI'ICC'IIIIILI ( ? f f i ~ , / t ~ ~ ~ l / : i L.., SOIIII'I.CIIICI c ~ . ~ r o I ~ r i . s L.. I<xoecnrin ng01Io~l~n L, have shown

yood sn)wth results Yatural mansrove species present in the vicinity of the planting site

also guide as resardiny suitabil~ty ofthe particular mangrove species at a panicular site.

Recommendatior~s of the Study

I . it is essential to establish a mangrove research and manpower training centre at

Cochin

2 The planning and management of mangrove areas should be done both at the resource

and ecosystem levels.

3 . There is an urgent need for more information and communication materials on

various aspects of the mangrove ecosystem together with wide dissemination and/or

easier access to them.

4. Before any major change is introduced, mangrove area should be studied to establish

its structure and the cycles that govern it.

Experience have shown that conversion of mangrove for single purpose

generally degrades the system beyond recovery. Major ecological impacts should be

studied before taking up any development activities in mangroves especially for

aquaculture. tourism, waste dumping etc. because the mangrove community cannot be

replaced by any other and nothing equivalent will grow and flourish on a converted

mangrove swamp.