Mangrove Replanting Programme: Karainagar seeks to Pledge Mother Ocean
As we all are trying to raise voices against the deforesting of the tropical forests, Sri Lanka still have a need to concentrate more towards the conservation of marine vegetation as well. As a tropical island in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is gifted with a wide array of coastal and marine ecosystems in addition to all those different terrestrial biomes. Past decades, reckless human activities have held an eminent pressure on both the ecosystems. These days, with all the environmental awareness brought out, mankind shows an improved behavior towards protection of Mother Nature. Tropical forests and wildlife are being heavily protected by laws, legislation and conservation actions. Even though, it looks healthy, unfortunately the marine ecosystems aren’t on the catch. Marine ecosystems, which are most prevalent on the planet, teem with life providing nearly half of the Earth’s oxygen and home for a wide range of species. The country boasts an immense marine faunal and floral diversity. The coastal line harbors astounding amounts of mangroves, sea grasses, coral reefs, estuaries and lagoons. Yet, most of them are under massive threat, not to be surprised, but by human activities and urban development.
Fig: Mangrove replanted in Karainagar, Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan mangroves are a unique ecosystem. Even though, mangroves are restricted to inter tidal zone, their contributions to the ecosystem are vast. While providing habitats and nesting grounds to marine fauna, they are also helpful in control of coastal erosion, protection from storm surges and sea-level rise and is responsible for huge amount of carbon sequestration. Despite of all the importance, deforestation, abuse and exploitation at a rate of 1% per annum along the past three decades has put their, as well as other related fauna and floras’ diversity on query.
Public awareness and the urge to rebuild the planet, has made people attentive towards afforestation and reforestation. Various attempts have been taken in the country to restore what has been lost and to stop what is going to be lost. Such an attempt was observed in Karainagar, Sri Lanka.
Fig: Mangrove saplings to be planted
Karainagar (formerly called as Karaitivu), one of the seven adjoining small islands, belongs to the Jaffna Peninsula of Sri Lanka. Located nearly 15km form the Jaffna main land, it falls into the low country dry zone of the country. Since the climate is dry and water is salty and their major livelihood depending on agriculture and fisheries; the place is highly favorable for mangrove reforestation. Surprisingly, the replanting programme hasn’t been undertaken by public nor NGOs, but by the Sri Lankan NAVY base. Yes, even though, the Northern Province has been set free after the three decade civil war, the adjoining islands are being undertaken by the Sri Lankan NAVY. They escort the entire city and are doing some environmentally friendly activities. Such of one is the mangrove replanting programme.
Since Karainagar belongs to the dry zones of the country with an average temperature of 30oC and annual rainfall less than 1250mm, the coastal line is not that capable of supporting wide range of tropical fauna. Lack of lakes or lagoon around the Jaffna Peninsula, tends to lessen the fresh water inflow resulting in high salinity values; which not most of the tropical trees thrive. Further, economy of the coastal community living in Karainagar is basically dependent on fisheries. So, planting mangroves has become a viable solution for a handful of issues.
It was an accidental observation for me. I was on my way to Karainagar for Mangrove sampling and noticed such an action. I thought it will be kick start for the Northern coastal region for a replenishment of its diversity. Moreover, the three decade civil war has posed an endless threat on the ecosystem. So this could be their chance to restore what they have lost.
