20 Jul 2010 03:48:26 AM IST
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment