Home / Environment / Sundarbans Mangroves Vanish Under Fish Ponds
Sundarbans Mangroves Vanish Under Fish Ponds
25 Jul
Summary
- Hundreds of acres of mangrove forests lost to fish ponds.
- Over 600 hectares encroached for shallow fish farming.
- Restoration efforts are underway to reclaim lost mangrove areas.
The Sundarbans' critical mangrove forests are facing severe losses, with hundreds of acres succumbing to encroachment for fish pond construction. West Bengal's Environment and Forest Minister, Manoj Kumar Oraon, has committed to restoring these areas, noting that extensive mangrove cover has been cleared for fisheries on various islands.
A recent report from the Nature Environment and Wildlife Society (NEWS) indicates over 600 hectares of mangrove forest at 10 locations have been encroached upon for shallow fish ponds, with actual figures potentially higher. NEWS advocates for establishing a dedicated mangrove management authority and utilizing technology for better governance.
West Bengal's Sundarbans region holds a substantial portion of India's mangrove cover. Conservationists emphasize the need for an adaptive approach to restoration, acknowledging that strategies must vary across different areas. Challenges include insufficient tidal gauges for accurate scientific data collection, crucial for ecosystem management.
