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Published: July 30, 2010 00:00 IST | Updated: July 30, 2010 04:17 IST
“Floating of glowing buoys temporarily stalled”
Special Correspondent
Protected: Minister for Forests N. Selvaraj (second from right) visiting the Kurusadai island in Gulf of Mannar on Thursday. — Photo: L. Balachandar
The floating of glowing buoys along the core zone of Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park (GMMNP), which covers the coast from Rameswaram to Kanyakumari, has been halted temporarily, according to Minister for Forests N. Selvaraj.
Speaking to ‘The Hindu' after visiting the Kurusadai island in Gulf of Mannar along with H. Mallesappa, Conservator of Forest and M. Sundarakumar, Warden, GMMNP, on Thursday, he said though the Government was committed to demarcate the core zone, which was a protected area and where many conservation programmes were undertaken by the State Government with the support of United Nations Development Programme, it was halted for the time being as a section fishermen raised apprehension over the movement restriction.
Mr. Selvaraj said that the proposed demarcation was not aimed at restricting the fishermen but it was part of the Government efforts to save the endangered marine species, which were abundant in the protected area of Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park. Sea cow, sea horse, corals, sea cucumbers were among the 3600 globally endangered species, living in Gulf of Mannar.
There was no movement restriction for the fishermen to go to other fishing areas through the core zone. They were not supposed to poach marine animals in the core zone, where endangered prohibited species were found.
The Minister said core zone was just 560 sq km out of a total area of 10,500 sq km of Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve. Core zone was negligible when compared to the large area of the reserve. Fishermen could continue their operation as usual in the traditional area except the core zone.
The Government was sympathetic to the apprehension expressed by a group of fishermen stating that they would be subjected to “tough action” by forest officials if they happened to cross the core zone, where glowing buoys were proposed to be floated.
The Chief Minister, M. Karunanidhi, who was supportive to the cause of fishermen, would take a decision that would be acceptable to all stakeholders including the fishermen and environmentalists. The proposal would only be implemented after clearing the doubts raised by them. Asked about the demand of fishermen to lift the ban on sea cucumber and sea horse, Mr. Selvaraj said the role of State government was limited in the issue, as it was a national policy and the ban scheduled animals was imposed by the Centre.
Printable version | Jul 30, 2010 11:35:12 PM | http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/article541393.ece
Friday, July 30, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Close Sterlite Industries
Protestors close main entrance; demand steps for immediate action
One voice: Members of various forums staging a demonstration in Tuticorin on Monday. — Photo: N. Rajesh
They demanded closure of the unit for import duty evasion, among other reasons. They closed the main entrance demanding steps for immediate action.
A team of police led by N. Jayakumar, DSP (Rural), Tuticorin, along with Inspector of Police C. Murugesan intervened but they sought the intervention of the Collector.
Mr. Jayakumar stated that he was busy and would come later. They protestors burnt petition copies and dispersed immediately thereafter.
Serious health hazards
S. Joel, district decretary, MDMK, said the company was causing serious health hazards due to discharge of industrial effluents.
Wind up operations
Hence the officials should take action to wind up its operations in Tuticorin, he added.
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/article535894.ece
Collectorate 'closed' seeking Sterlite closure
July 26: Members of the anti-Sterlite movement on Monday locked the Thoothukudi district collectorate demanding the state government to initiate criminal action against heads responsible for the massive tax evasion and to ban Sterlite’s industrial activities in the state.
Led by the district secretaries of the CPI, BSP and MDMK, advocates and members of various fishermen groups and environmentalists thronged the collectorate saying Sterlite had evaded duty of Rs 750 crore.
As district collector G. Prakash refused to come out of the hall where he was attending to a public grievance day meeting, to receive the petition from the agitators, they staged a sit-in protest and shouted slogans against Sterlite and also against Mr Prakash.
The agitators then locked the main door of the collectorate and continued their demonstration by squatting outside. They compelled the villagers who had come to petition the collector about their grievances to join them.
The police, deployed to evict the agitators and open the locked door, pleaded with the agitators to disperse. After about an hour, as the collector did not come out, the demonstrators burnt the copies of the petition and dispersed.
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Sunday, July 25, 2010
The New Indian Express Supports CPF's Stand on KAPPA PHYCUS. THE PROMOTERS look INNOCENT
Seaweed threatens coral reef in Gulf of Mannar
THOOTHUKUDI: Appaphycus alvarezii, a seaweed native to the Philippines has become a very serious and perennial threat to the Gulf of Mannar ecosystem as noted by officials and scientists recently. Termed aptly as ‘bio-invasion’, the invasive seaweed destroys the corals after choking them by preventing photosynthesis, resulting in loss of fish production and ultimately leading to livelihood crisis for the fishing community.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden, R Sundararaju told Express that kappaphycus if not controlled, kills corals and added that periodic removal is necessary. “We have asked the Central government for necessary funds to remove this seaweed to save the marine environment”, he said.
“Initial survey has revealed that kappaphycus has invaded coral reef colonies in Shingle, Krusadai and Poomarichan islands off Mandapam coast and around 1 sq km reef areas with about 480 colonies were affected”, SDMRI Director and Marine Biologist JK Patterson Edward told Express.
It may be noted that 30 sq km reef area of the total 110 sq km has already degraded due to mining and destructive fishing in the last three decades. “Kappaphycus- invaded coral colonies were dead because of shadowing and smothering effects of the attached fragments and this can even penetrate deep up to 5-10 cm within the branching coral colonies”, he said.
The worst part is that removing kappaphycus permanently is by no means possible as even a fragment of it will invade new locations. “Periodic removal of this seaweed is necessary to save the corals and to check the kappaphycus from spreading further”, JK Patterson Edward added.
Presently, assessment was made only in three of the total 21 islands in Gulf of Mannar and there is every possibility for the kappaphycus to have spread in other coral dominated islands also. It may be noted that this algae introduced in 1995 in Gulf of Mannar is still thriving in the Palk Bay.
Speaking to Express, Wildlife Warden in Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park N Sundarakumar said that the kappaphycus is indeed a threat to this biosphere especially when corals are recovering fast and overcoming pollution.
“Any disease can only be spotted at a particular stage and this ecological threat has been identified only recently”, he said.
THOOTHUKUDI: Appaphycus alvarezii, a seaweed native to the Philippines has become a very serious and perennial threat to the Gulf of Mannar ecosystem as noted by officials and scientists recently. Termed aptly as ‘bio-invasion’, the invasive seaweed destroys the corals after choking them by preventing photosynthesis, resulting in loss of fish production and ultimately leading to livelihood crisis for the fishing community.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden, R Sundararaju told Express that kappaphycus if not controlled, kills corals and added that periodic removal is necessary. “We have asked the Central government for necessary funds to remove this seaweed to save the marine environment”, he said.
“Initial survey has revealed that kappaphycus has invaded coral reef colonies in Shingle, Krusadai and Poomarichan islands off Mandapam coast and around 1 sq km reef areas with about 480 colonies were affected”, SDMRI Director and Marine Biologist JK Patterson Edward told Express.
It may be noted that 30 sq km reef area of the total 110 sq km has already degraded due to mining and destructive fishing in the last three decades. “Kappaphycus- invaded coral colonies were dead because of shadowing and smothering effects of the attached fragments and this can even penetrate deep up to 5-10 cm within the branching coral colonies”, he said.
The worst part is that removing kappaphycus permanently is by no means possible as even a fragment of it will invade new locations. “Periodic removal of this seaweed is necessary to save the corals and to check the kappaphycus from spreading further”, JK Patterson Edward added.
Presently, assessment was made only in three of the total 21 islands in Gulf of Mannar and there is every possibility for the kappaphycus to have spread in other coral dominated islands also. It may be noted that this algae introduced in 1995 in Gulf of Mannar is still thriving in the Palk Bay.
Speaking to Express, Wildlife Warden in Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park N Sundarakumar said that the kappaphycus is indeed a threat to this biosphere especially when corals are recovering fast and overcoming pollution.
“Any disease can only be spotted at a particular stage and this ecological threat has been identified only recently”, he said.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Times of India Reports - Greens cry foul over cultivation of seaweeds, say corals face danger
Publication: The Times Of India Chennai; Date: Jul 24, 2010; Section: Times Region; Page: 8
Greens cry foul over cultivation of seaweeds, say corals face danger
Padmini Sivarajah | TNN
Madurai: There is strident demand from environmentalists for immediately stopping the artificial cultivation of the seaweed, “kappaphycus alvarezii”, a species of red alga in the sea in Ramanathapuram, Kanyakumari and Thoothukudi districts. The Coastal Peoples’ Federation (CPF) has alleged that the coral reefs in this region were in danger of destruction because of these seaweeds.
CPF convenor M Pushparayan told TOI that the alga grows two meters long and is green or yellow in colour. It grows rapidly and is known to double its biomass in 15 days. The chemical carrageenans extracted from this alga is used in a variety of commercial applications like gelling, thickening and stabilizing agents in food products such as frozen desserts and also in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
The alga was first introduced in the Gulf of Mannar region by a Philippine soft drink manufacturer in 1995. Firms like the Aquaculture Foundation of India and even the Gulf of Mannar (GoM) Biosphere Reserve Trust, promoted this as an alternative employment to fishing folk, particularly for women, after the tsunami in 2004.
The GoM is a rich biosphere which is inhabited by 3,600 species of marine life forms including corals, sea grass, molluscs, turtles and even whales. Now all these animals are endangered by the uncontrollable growth of this alga which is destroying the corals, says CPF, which has demanded action under the Wild Life Protection act of 1972 against the artificial cultivation of the kappaphycus seaweed.
Dr K Kumaraguru, head of the department of environmental study and Marine and Coastal studies, Madurai Kamaraj University, told TOI that the alga, which was not a native species but an introduced one, would indeed disturb the ecological conditions of the GoM if they settled on the coral reefs. The coral reefs have a symbiotic relationship with a particular photosynthesizing alga which settles on them.
The coral reefs depended on these algae for their food. But, the kappaphycus alga which is a fast growing, resilient species, settles on the coral reefs and disrupts the photosynthesis of the alga on the coral reef. The reef would in turn expel the alga if it does not photosynthesize, which would result in bleaching of the coral reefs and ultimately their death. This would be detrimental to the ecosystem, which was already suffering due to various reasons including mixing of sewage in the sea, said Kumaraguru.
AGAINST NATURE: Rameswaram fishermen with the harvested seaweed
Greens cry foul over cultivation of seaweeds, say corals face danger
Padmini Sivarajah | TNN
Madurai: There is strident demand from environmentalists for immediately stopping the artificial cultivation of the seaweed, “kappaphycus alvarezii”, a species of red alga in the sea in Ramanathapuram, Kanyakumari and Thoothukudi districts. The Coastal Peoples’ Federation (CPF) has alleged that the coral reefs in this region were in danger of destruction because of these seaweeds.
CPF convenor M Pushparayan told TOI that the alga grows two meters long and is green or yellow in colour. It grows rapidly and is known to double its biomass in 15 days. The chemical carrageenans extracted from this alga is used in a variety of commercial applications like gelling, thickening and stabilizing agents in food products such as frozen desserts and also in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
The alga was first introduced in the Gulf of Mannar region by a Philippine soft drink manufacturer in 1995. Firms like the Aquaculture Foundation of India and even the Gulf of Mannar (GoM) Biosphere Reserve Trust, promoted this as an alternative employment to fishing folk, particularly for women, after the tsunami in 2004.
The GoM is a rich biosphere which is inhabited by 3,600 species of marine life forms including corals, sea grass, molluscs, turtles and even whales. Now all these animals are endangered by the uncontrollable growth of this alga which is destroying the corals, says CPF, which has demanded action under the Wild Life Protection act of 1972 against the artificial cultivation of the kappaphycus seaweed.
Dr K Kumaraguru, head of the department of environmental study and Marine and Coastal studies, Madurai Kamaraj University, told TOI that the alga, which was not a native species but an introduced one, would indeed disturb the ecological conditions of the GoM if they settled on the coral reefs. The coral reefs have a symbiotic relationship with a particular photosynthesizing alga which settles on them.
The coral reefs depended on these algae for their food. But, the kappaphycus alga which is a fast growing, resilient species, settles on the coral reefs and disrupts the photosynthesis of the alga on the coral reef. The reef would in turn expel the alga if it does not photosynthesize, which would result in bleaching of the coral reefs and ultimately their death. This would be detrimental to the ecosystem, which was already suffering due to various reasons including mixing of sewage in the sea, said Kumaraguru.
AGAINST NATURE: Rameswaram fishermen with the harvested seaweed
Thursday, July 22, 2010
CULPRITS TO BE PENALISED UNDER Wild Life Protection ACT 1972
Date:03/04/2010 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2010/04/03/stories/2010040354070600.htm
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Tamil Nadu - Tuticorin
Seaweed cultivation helps in reducing impact of global warming: expert
J. Praveen Paul Joseph
Tuticorin: Seaweed cultivation reduces impact of global warming, as it has the ability to absorb carbon dioxide, according to M. Sakthivel, president, Aquaculture Foundation of India, Chennai.
Seaweeds containing 62 minerals and having medicinal values is a wonder plant of the sea.
Seaweed is presumably pervasive in the sea and it gives shelter to various species of fish and other marine living organisms.
Though the Indian Ocean is abundantly blessed with seaweed plants, the one-third of seaweed resources is available in India. There is also a wide prevalence of seaweed in the Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar.
Sea-farming activities are being carried out quite well in the Palk Bay since they have rich resources and natural conditions favourable to seaweed cultivation.
The Aquaculture Foundation of India was promoting the seaweed culture by assisting the stakeholders to get bank loans, government subsidy, imparting free technology training and marketing, Dr. Sakthivel told The Hindu here on Friday.
“Since the bio-fertilizer extract from Kappaphycus seaweeds has growth-promoting hormones for plants, it is going to be a major source for bio-fertilizer production in India to facilitate organic agriculture. Bio fertilizers can be extracted from wet seaweed,” Dr. Sakthivel added.
One million tonnes of seaweed could be produced in a year and around 10, 000 families could earn their daily bread on an average.
About one thousand families are engaged in seaweed cultivation in the Palk Bay Island. Each family can earn a minimum of Rs. 500 to Rs. 1, 000 a day.
“As many as 1000 varieties of seaweed are in existence in India. Out of which, 300 varieties are in the Gulf of Mannar. Seaweed cultivation is gaining momentum in Muthiayapuram and the Hare Island in Tuticorin district and Colachel in Kanyakumari district. Thousand families between the coastal area of Mandapam and Rameshwaram have been involved in seaweed cultivation with 20, 000 rafts floating in the Palk Bay area,” he said.
“Referring to the cost value of seaweed, one tonne of wet seaweed fetches a sum of Rs. 1, 750, while dry seaweed is valued at Rs. 14, 000,” he said.
© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu
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Tamil Nadu - Tuticorin
Seaweed cultivation helps in reducing impact of global warming: expert
J. Praveen Paul Joseph
Tuticorin: Seaweed cultivation reduces impact of global warming, as it has the ability to absorb carbon dioxide, according to M. Sakthivel, president, Aquaculture Foundation of India, Chennai.
Seaweeds containing 62 minerals and having medicinal values is a wonder plant of the sea.
Seaweed is presumably pervasive in the sea and it gives shelter to various species of fish and other marine living organisms.
Though the Indian Ocean is abundantly blessed with seaweed plants, the one-third of seaweed resources is available in India. There is also a wide prevalence of seaweed in the Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar.
Sea-farming activities are being carried out quite well in the Palk Bay since they have rich resources and natural conditions favourable to seaweed cultivation.
The Aquaculture Foundation of India was promoting the seaweed culture by assisting the stakeholders to get bank loans, government subsidy, imparting free technology training and marketing, Dr. Sakthivel told The Hindu here on Friday.
“Since the bio-fertilizer extract from Kappaphycus seaweeds has growth-promoting hormones for plants, it is going to be a major source for bio-fertilizer production in India to facilitate organic agriculture. Bio fertilizers can be extracted from wet seaweed,” Dr. Sakthivel added.
One million tonnes of seaweed could be produced in a year and around 10, 000 families could earn their daily bread on an average.
About one thousand families are engaged in seaweed cultivation in the Palk Bay Island. Each family can earn a minimum of Rs. 500 to Rs. 1, 000 a day.
“As many as 1000 varieties of seaweed are in existence in India. Out of which, 300 varieties are in the Gulf of Mannar. Seaweed cultivation is gaining momentum in Muthiayapuram and the Hare Island in Tuticorin district and Colachel in Kanyakumari district. Thousand families between the coastal area of Mandapam and Rameshwaram have been involved in seaweed cultivation with 20, 000 rafts floating in the Palk Bay area,” he said.
“Referring to the cost value of seaweed, one tonne of wet seaweed fetches a sum of Rs. 1, 750, while dry seaweed is valued at Rs. 14, 000,” he said.
© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Derogative Speech of the GOMBRT DIRECTOR
Date:08/06/2010 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2010/06/08/stories/2010060861210500.htm
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Tamil Nadu - Chennai
“Gulf of Mannar biosphere a neglected biodiversity hotspot”
Special Correspondent
Coastal communites smuggling sea horses, says official
CHENNAI: The Gulf of Mannar biosphere, the first marine biosphere in south, is one of the most neglected biodiversity hotspot, said Aruna Basu Sarkar, Chief Conservator of Forests and Director, Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Trust (GOMBRT) on Monday.
Covering 360 km of coastal length spread over four districts and habitat for over 3,600 organisms was declared as a marine biosphere as early as 1989. It was still in a critical position, said Ms. Sarkar at a State-level Consultation on Community Agro-biodiversity Management held at M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation.
While people would have to cultivate for products in other areas, the coastal villagers along the biosphere would have to just jump into the sea to get products worth Rs.500 to Rs.1000 everyday. “As it is difficult to find alternative livelihood options that matched the value of marine products, the villagers are reluctant to lead a life without depending on the biosphere,” she said.
The formation of the Trust and constant interaction with the locals prevented mining of coral reef but the coastal communities were still smuggling sea horses and sea cucumber. Despite booking cases against violators, the trade flourished as it was very lucrative. Now, the Trust has written to the Collectors concerned to book repeated offenders under Goondas Act, she said.
Dangerous nets
Besides, industries, without any regulations, were using the locals to smuggle 147 types of sea weeds and 13 variety of sea grass for their needs by paying no fee, Ms. Sarkar charged. The government had banned several dangerous nets but their use continued illegally. As the Forest Department has no powers to book the trawlers violating Marine Fisheries Regulation Act, the onus was on the Fisheries Department.
The four types of marine turtles, which used to breed on the shores of the biosphere, had now become casual visitors. Last April there were two cases of poaching of dugong each weighing 400 kg. But, the offender was allowed to go scot free without any investigation, she said. In a particular case, the president of the eco-development council happened to be a top smuggler of sea cucumber. .
Stating that conservation was still under buried condition in the marine biosphere, Ms. Sarkar said the critical condition raised issues of over-exploitation of marine resources, reduction in fish population and resultant food security for the local community.
On the positive side, Ms. Sarkar said the Trust has successfully trained self-help groups in alternative livelihood options reducing dependence on illegal money lenders, reduced drop-out rate in schools and has provided vocational training to over 1,000 youth.
© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu
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Tamil Nadu - Chennai
“Gulf of Mannar biosphere a neglected biodiversity hotspot”
Special Correspondent
Coastal communites smuggling sea horses, says official
CHENNAI: The Gulf of Mannar biosphere, the first marine biosphere in south, is one of the most neglected biodiversity hotspot, said Aruna Basu Sarkar, Chief Conservator of Forests and Director, Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Trust (GOMBRT) on Monday.
Covering 360 km of coastal length spread over four districts and habitat for over 3,600 organisms was declared as a marine biosphere as early as 1989. It was still in a critical position, said Ms. Sarkar at a State-level Consultation on Community Agro-biodiversity Management held at M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation.
While people would have to cultivate for products in other areas, the coastal villagers along the biosphere would have to just jump into the sea to get products worth Rs.500 to Rs.1000 everyday. “As it is difficult to find alternative livelihood options that matched the value of marine products, the villagers are reluctant to lead a life without depending on the biosphere,” she said.
The formation of the Trust and constant interaction with the locals prevented mining of coral reef but the coastal communities were still smuggling sea horses and sea cucumber. Despite booking cases against violators, the trade flourished as it was very lucrative. Now, the Trust has written to the Collectors concerned to book repeated offenders under Goondas Act, she said.
Dangerous nets
Besides, industries, without any regulations, were using the locals to smuggle 147 types of sea weeds and 13 variety of sea grass for their needs by paying no fee, Ms. Sarkar charged. The government had banned several dangerous nets but their use continued illegally. As the Forest Department has no powers to book the trawlers violating Marine Fisheries Regulation Act, the onus was on the Fisheries Department.
The four types of marine turtles, which used to breed on the shores of the biosphere, had now become casual visitors. Last April there were two cases of poaching of dugong each weighing 400 kg. But, the offender was allowed to go scot free without any investigation, she said. In a particular case, the president of the eco-development council happened to be a top smuggler of sea cucumber. .
Stating that conservation was still under buried condition in the marine biosphere, Ms. Sarkar said the critical condition raised issues of over-exploitation of marine resources, reduction in fish population and resultant food security for the local community.
On the positive side, Ms. Sarkar said the Trust has successfully trained self-help groups in alternative livelihood options reducing dependence on illegal money lenders, reduced drop-out rate in schools and has provided vocational training to over 1,000 youth.
© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu
Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park to get 500 buoys soon C. Jaishankar “Legal hurdles that delayed the procurement sorted out” —
Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park to get 500 buoys soon
C. Jaishankar
“Legal hurdles that delayed the procurement sorted out”
— Photo: L. Balachandar
Strategies: Chief Wildlife Warden S. Sundarraju speaking at the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Management Plan meeting in Ramanathapuram on Friday. Aruna Basu Sarcar, Director, GOMBRT, and others look on.
RAMANATHAPURAM: The Chief Wildlife Warden and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, S. Sundarraju, said that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) would soon supply 500 buoys for visible demarcation of Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park (GMMNP).
Speaking to The Hindu here on Friday after presiding over a meeting of forest officials and scientists to discuss about the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Management Plan, he said the legal hurdles that resulted in delay in procurement of buoys had been sorted out.
Moreover, instead of the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust (GOMBRT) purchasing the buoys, it was decided to entrust this job with the UNDP, which was the main funding agency of conservation project of Gulf of Mannar. It had already floated tenders to procure 350 buoys. In addition to this, the UNDP had also been asked to procure 150 more buoys. An Australian company was likely to supply the High Density Polyethylene (HDP) buoys. Efforts were on to speed up the process of getting buoys as early as possible.
Mr. Sundarraju said the total circumference of GMMNP was 250 km. One buoy would be floated on every 500 meters. The demarcation was important to prevent fishermen from entering the protected area.
“Revise the plan”
The meeting on management plan, which was prepared by the Wildlife Institute of India, felt that it was not up to the mark. A lot of ground level information and latest date on coral reef, sea grass and others had been missed out. It had to be improved and updated. Hence it was decided to form a committee, which would be supervised by him and the Chief Conservator of Forest and the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust Director Aruna Basu Sarcar, to prepare a revised management plan based on threat perceived and other details. It would be drawn within September and it would subsequently be submitted to the Government of India to get more funds.
Inadequate infrastructure
The Chief Wildlife Warden added that the overall human resources and other infrastructure were inadequate for the effective enforcement of laws in biosphere reserve area, as the area of operation was huge. It had to be strengthened in terms of personnel, equipment, boats, communication and others.
Besides Ms. Sarcar, Conservator of Forest Rampathy, the Eco Development Officer V. Naganathan, Wildlife Warden S. Shenbagamoorthy, District Forest Officer S.L. Gupta and Divisional Forest Officer Rakesh Jegannia were present.
C. Jaishankar
“Legal hurdles that delayed the procurement sorted out”
— Photo: L. Balachandar
Strategies: Chief Wildlife Warden S. Sundarraju speaking at the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Management Plan meeting in Ramanathapuram on Friday. Aruna Basu Sarcar, Director, GOMBRT, and others look on.
RAMANATHAPURAM: The Chief Wildlife Warden and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, S. Sundarraju, said that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) would soon supply 500 buoys for visible demarcation of Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park (GMMNP).
Speaking to The Hindu here on Friday after presiding over a meeting of forest officials and scientists to discuss about the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Management Plan, he said the legal hurdles that resulted in delay in procurement of buoys had been sorted out.
Moreover, instead of the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust (GOMBRT) purchasing the buoys, it was decided to entrust this job with the UNDP, which was the main funding agency of conservation project of Gulf of Mannar. It had already floated tenders to procure 350 buoys. In addition to this, the UNDP had also been asked to procure 150 more buoys. An Australian company was likely to supply the High Density Polyethylene (HDP) buoys. Efforts were on to speed up the process of getting buoys as early as possible.
Mr. Sundarraju said the total circumference of GMMNP was 250 km. One buoy would be floated on every 500 meters. The demarcation was important to prevent fishermen from entering the protected area.
“Revise the plan”
The meeting on management plan, which was prepared by the Wildlife Institute of India, felt that it was not up to the mark. A lot of ground level information and latest date on coral reef, sea grass and others had been missed out. It had to be improved and updated. Hence it was decided to form a committee, which would be supervised by him and the Chief Conservator of Forest and the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust Director Aruna Basu Sarcar, to prepare a revised management plan based on threat perceived and other details. It would be drawn within September and it would subsequently be submitted to the Government of India to get more funds.
Inadequate infrastructure
The Chief Wildlife Warden added that the overall human resources and other infrastructure were inadequate for the effective enforcement of laws in biosphere reserve area, as the area of operation was huge. It had to be strengthened in terms of personnel, equipment, boats, communication and others.
Besides Ms. Sarcar, Conservator of Forest Rampathy, the Eco Development Officer V. Naganathan, Wildlife Warden S. Shenbagamoorthy, District Forest Officer S.L. Gupta and Divisional Forest Officer Rakesh Jegannia were present.
CPF PROTESTS MAKE THE OFFICIALS TO RESPOND
Ramanathapuram
Buoys to be laid in Gulf of Mannar: Collector
Special Correspondent
Move will in no way affect prospects of fishermen
— Photo: L. Balachandar.
FOR rare marine species:Ramanathapuram Collector T.N. Hariharan, right, along with revenue and forest officials at the Kurusadai island on Wednesday.
RAMANATHAPURAM: The Forest Department would go ahead with the proposal to lay buoys in Gulf of Mannar so as to demarcate the protected area, said Collector T.N. Hariharan.
He made the announcement on Wednesday after undertaking a visit to the Kurusadai island in the Gulf of Mannar accompanied by Sundarakumar, Warden, Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, and K. Balasubramanian, District Revenue Officer.
Mr. Hariharan said though the Gulf of Mannar Marine Reserve had extended to an area of about 10,500 square km, 560 square km was specified as protected area under the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, as this area largely has rare marine species, including corals, whales, sea cucumbers etc,. The imported buoys would be floated only along 560 square km from Rameswaram to Tuticorin. Around 500 buoys would be laid at a distance of 500 meters each.
Mr. Sundarakumar said that it (plan of floating buoys) was not a new one. It had been felt since the start of conservation programme in 1986 in the Gulf of Mannar. The plan, which was financially supported by the Global Environment Facility of the United Nations Development Programme, had now come to the level of execution.
He added that it would in no way affect the prospects of fishermen. Buoys were to indicate the core zone area, which, generally, should be avoided.
There was no ban for the fishermen on passing through the core zone. The restriction was that they should not cast nets in the protected area.
Mr. Hariharan said the protected area was negligible when compared to the huge area for fishing in the Gulf of Mannar.
The aim was to protect the protected species.
Buoys to be laid in Gulf of Mannar: Collector
Special Correspondent
Move will in no way affect prospects of fishermen
— Photo: L. Balachandar.
FOR rare marine species:Ramanathapuram Collector T.N. Hariharan, right, along with revenue and forest officials at the Kurusadai island on Wednesday.
RAMANATHAPURAM: The Forest Department would go ahead with the proposal to lay buoys in Gulf of Mannar so as to demarcate the protected area, said Collector T.N. Hariharan.
He made the announcement on Wednesday after undertaking a visit to the Kurusadai island in the Gulf of Mannar accompanied by Sundarakumar, Warden, Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, and K. Balasubramanian, District Revenue Officer.
Mr. Hariharan said though the Gulf of Mannar Marine Reserve had extended to an area of about 10,500 square km, 560 square km was specified as protected area under the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, as this area largely has rare marine species, including corals, whales, sea cucumbers etc,. The imported buoys would be floated only along 560 square km from Rameswaram to Tuticorin. Around 500 buoys would be laid at a distance of 500 meters each.
Mr. Sundarakumar said that it (plan of floating buoys) was not a new one. It had been felt since the start of conservation programme in 1986 in the Gulf of Mannar. The plan, which was financially supported by the Global Environment Facility of the United Nations Development Programme, had now come to the level of execution.
He added that it would in no way affect the prospects of fishermen. Buoys were to indicate the core zone area, which, generally, should be avoided.
There was no ban for the fishermen on passing through the core zone. The restriction was that they should not cast nets in the protected area.
Mr. Hariharan said the protected area was negligible when compared to the huge area for fishing in the Gulf of Mannar.
The aim was to protect the protected species.
Grow seaweeds to save marine life’
By Raja
20 Jul 2010 03:48:26 AM IST
20 Jul 2010 03:48:26 AM IST
‘Grow seaweeds to save marine life’
RAMANATHAPURAM: The Gulf of Mannar National Marine Park authorities have decided to raise eco-friendly seaweeds to protect marine wealth as well as marine organisms.
A large quantity of seaweeds are located in Rameswaram, Pamban, Mandapam, Valinokkam, Periyapattinam, Keelakarai, Devipattinam among other areas. According to experts, seaweeds including gracilaria edulis (kanji pasi), gelidiella (marikolunthu pasi), sargasam (kottai korai) and turbinaria (pakkoda pasi), are becoming rare in the district. It is said, these seaweeds are a source of food marine life.
Moreover, they provide protection for certain marine organisms.
These weeds are being collected by a group of fishermen, who sell them for a low margin to middle men. The private companies then procure these sea weeds from the agents for a reasonable price.The seaweed is processed to produce agar, cosmetic items, and fertilizers. They are also exported to other countries. Therefore, the GOMNMP authority have decided to impart technology to interested coastal people to grow the eco-friendly seaweeds.
The private companies have extended support for the sch eme and have said it will provide all assistance including raw materials. This innovative scheme will be launched in Mandapam (North sea shore), Vedhalai, Thondi and Devipattinam areas.
The GOMNMP authorities have decided to urge the private companies to offer a share from the profit to the local eco development committee (EDC).
The EDCs can utilise the fund to develop the areas and promote small scale industries. Sundara Kumar, Wild Life Warden told Express that many eco-friendly seaweeds have been destroyed and thus a proposal has been sent to the government to raise these sea weeds.
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Tuesday, July 20, 2010
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