Govt to take over mangrove forests in private lands

Kollam: The government is planning to take over the mangrove forests situated in private lands in the state. This has been decided as per the recommendations of the advisory committee regarding the eco-sensitive zones. Action will be taken as per the Management of Ecologically Fragile Lands Act, 2003. The fund for this purpose is spent from the Rebuild Kerala Initiative.

This move was initiated on the basis of the long term demand to protect mangrove forests. In the initial phase, mangrove forests in Munroe Island, Vincent Island and Ayiramthengu in Kollam Thachampally and Chettuva areas in Thrissur will be taken over. The committee has also submitted a detailed list of mangrove forests to be declared as Ecologically Fragile Lands.

In the next phase, the mangrove forests in Kannur and Malappuram districts will be taken over. A special committee has been formed. The forest department officials said that the land will be taken over after discussing with the owners and paying a price. Action will be initiated under the leadership of Divisional Forest Officer (DFO).

Mangrove forests are situated in about 1000 hectares of private land. It is being examined how much of this land can be taken over. The area of mangrove forests in Kerala has decreased from 700 square kilometres to 24 square kilometres over years. Half of this is located in private land. The government is planning to protect them with the cooperation of public and local bodies.

Mangrove forest protects the coastal area from storm, tsunami and flood and also is a source of rich biodiversity. Various types of fish, crabs and migratory birds depend on mangroves to breed and survive. Also this gives huge opportunity for tourism industry too. Kerala Forest Research Institute had found out in a study that there are 18 species of true mangrove and 54 sub species.

All districts in Kerala except Wayanad, Palakkad, Idukki and Pathanamthitta have mangrove forests. Over 40 percent of the mangroves in state is located in Kannur district (755 hectares). The government had implemented a scheme to provide Rs 4000 per acre for the land owners who protect the mangrove forests.