Mangroves for Mankind
mangroves forman
‘Mangroves for Mankind’
[The December 2004 Tsunami had established that coastal bio-shields such as mangroves and shelterbelt plantations offer best protection against natural calamities like cyclones and tsunami. Tamil Nadu reported more than 1500 deaths but surprisingly, human casualty and damage was minimal in and around Pichavaram and Muthupet mangroves. Following this, Government of India had funded massive mangrove afforestation in Tamil Nadu. Muthupet has been a major mangrove afforestation site in Tamil Nadu from 1987 onwards. FSI has now reported that mangrove cover in Muthupet has increased by 1300 ha. between 2001 and 2007, which is a 93% increase of forest cover. The article traces the rise of mangrove cover in Muthupet and its potential in offering future protection against coastal disasters.]
--------------
On December 26, 2004, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the Indonesian island of Sumatra, triggering a tsunami that claimed the lives of more than 150,000 people and rendered millions homeless. This was the most destructive tsunami in the recorded history of mankind. The devastating tidal waves had hit several coastal districts of Tamil Nadu and left at least 1,500 people dead. Nagapattinam recorded the maximum number of 788 deaths, followed by Cuddalore (290), Kanyakumari (261) and Chennai (128). It was later revealed that habitations located near or behind the mangrove forests of Pichavaram and Muthupet had suffered fewer human casualties and less damage compared to areas without mangrove cover. Similar situation was observed in habitations having coastal shelterbelt plantations and tall sand dunes. Studies conducted in the Cuddalore district later confirmed the fact that mangroves indeed offer the best protection against coastal disasters such as tsunami and cyclones. Dense mangrove forests growing along the coasts can reduce the devastating impact of tsunamis and coastal storms by absorbing some of the
‘Mangroves for Mankind’
[The December 2004 Tsunami had established that coastal bio-shields such as mangroves and shelterbelt plantations offer best protection against natural calamities like cyclones and tsunami. Tamil Nadu reported more than 1500 deaths but surprisingly, human casualty and damage was minimal in and around Pichavaram and Muthupet mangroves. Following this, Government of India had funded massive mangrove afforestation in Tamil Nadu. Muthupet has been a major mangrove afforestation site in Tamil Nadu from 1987 onwards. FSI has now reported that mangrove cover in Muthupet has increased by 1300 ha. between 2001 and 2007, which is a 93% increase of forest cover. The article traces the rise of mangrove cover in Muthupet and its potential in offering future protection against coastal disasters.]
--------------
On December 26, 2004, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the Indonesian island of Sumatra, triggering a tsunami that claimed the lives of more than 150,000 people and rendered millions homeless. This was the most destructive tsunami in the recorded history of mankind. The devastating tidal waves had hit several coastal districts of Tamil Nadu and left at least 1,500 people dead. Nagapattinam recorded the maximum number of 788 deaths, followed by Cuddalore (290), Kanyakumari (261) and Chennai (128). It was later revealed that habitations located near or behind the mangrove forests of Pichavaram and Muthupet had suffered fewer human casualties and less damage compared to areas without mangrove cover. Similar situation was observed in habitations having coastal shelterbelt plantations and tall sand dunes. Studies conducted in the Cuddalore district later confirmed the fact that mangroves indeed offer the best protection against coastal disasters such as tsunami and cyclones. Dense mangrove forests growing along the coasts can reduce the devastating impact of tsunamis and coastal storms by absorbing some of the