Study on Utility and Revival through Community approach in Sundarbans Mangrove

Abstract

Mangroves are salt tolerant group of tropical plants that generally grows in the inter-tidal zones of land and sea. The Sundarbans is the world's largest mangrove forest covering Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna delta of India and Bangladesh. It protects the coastline of Bangladesh, and West Bengal of India from different environmental catastrophes and act as means of livelihood for numbers of people of both the countries. The population of mangrove species is declining rapidly due to continuous deforestation by the wood pirates, mafias and some other causes. Mangroves are normally propagated by seeds which are usually vivipary in nature. Seeds are buoyant and hence short and long distance dispersal occurs by tidal water. Attempt was made to propagate some of the true mangrove plants artificially. Nursery was raised collecting seeds in different ways. Vegetative propagation like cutting and layering were also tried and proved successful but tedious and time consuming. Seedlings from the seeds are better option for reproduction of the endangered species as well as for other species. Community involvement is a major factor in restoration of mangroves as different livelihood activities like bagda meen (seeds of tiger prawn- Penaeus monodon) collection, crab collection, fishing from the brackish water; establishment of brick industry and funeral place in river/coast bed, and conversion of river bed for other livelihood activities not only kills many seedlings but also posed a severe threat to the mangroves. Suitable propagation technique in proper time, particularly during August to October, with active participation of adjacent village people may protect this unique mangrove forest.