Monika Koul
Sitting in a small city of Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, far-far away from the coasts, we may wonder why we should talk about Mangroves. Since last two years from the year 2015, General Conference of UNESCO, adopted 26th July, as a day to impress upon the public the importance of Mangrove Ecosystems and coastal areas. Although mangroves are found in 123 nations and territories, mangrove forests are globally rare. Though they represent less than 1% of all tropical forests worldwide, and less than 0.4% of the total global forest estate, these ecosystems need to be protected and preserved for their ecological and economic importance and need special care. Besides, the research suggests that they are disappearing three to five times faster than overall global forest losses, with serious ecological and socio-economic impacts. Hence, talking about this on July 26 is not only important but a timely intervention.
Planners and scientists gathered together many a times to devise the measures and policies by which mangroves can be brought to the fore-front and international attention is attracted and directed towards these. Celebration of International Day for Conservation of Mangroves is just a step in the direction which was first celebrated in the year 2015 for the first time on a global scale. Countries across the world together dwell upon various issues related to mangroves in their own regions on this day. Member States, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, universities, research centres, civil society associations, schools and other local stakeholders need to consider 26th July as a day to gather together and take a pledge to contribute their bit to these even if the places far away. These ecosystems serve as guardians of the coast and protect people in plains, hills and plateaus from floods and also have an important ecological and environmental role to play. These protect our coastline and it is by virtue of their existence we humans derive substantial benefits and these contribute many things such as food and other economic resources such as fish and other sea products.
Taking forward the Agenda for Sustainable Development and targets set for 2030, many strategies have to be adopted world-wide and at regional levels for adoption of sustainable ways to get benefits from these fragile ecosystems. Agenda 21 urges governments to adopt and implement plans and programmes to support the sustainable development and utilization of their marine and coastal resources. This includes meeting human needs, maintaining biodiversity and improving the quality of life for island people and adoption of measures, which will enable developing states to cope effectively, creatively and sustainably with environmental changes and reduce the threats posed to marine and coastal resources.
In order to protect its marine environment, the Government of India, has initiated a number of programmes. To meet the objectives of Agenda 21, continuous monitoring of marine reserves is being carried out. Climate change is a pertinent issue that cannot go unnoticed particularly with reference to mangroves.
Studies suggest that the marine and coastal environment is vulnerable to the uncertainties of climate change and these also can play an important role in mitigating the negative effects of climate change. Inundation of mangroves, floods and tsunamis are some constant threats, these ecosystems are facing. These changes may cause significant damage to the coast and inhabitants of nearby areas. In order to develop a good response strategy and reduce uncertainties, it is necessary to collect data systematically on various marine environmental parameters so that future conditions can be medicated.
Awareness is a key to conservation. It is our duty to make younger generation understand that coastal guards of marine ecosystem deserve our attention and reverence. They should be equipped with knowledge and resources about these ecosystems and considered as important as any forests. If we do not wake up to the call of these guardians of our coast, we may soon loose these to the vagaries of nature. So take a call this 26th July and spread a word.
(The author is at faculty Hansraj College, University of Delhi)
feedbackexcelsior@gmail.com
Follow our WhatsApp channel