SAVING THE LIFE-GIVING MANGROVES OF GOA

July 26 is marked as the International Day for the Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystems. With various organisations creating awareness about the importance of mangroves, throughout the year, it is assuring to know that mangroves can be a powerhouse for carbon trading
SAVING THE LIFE-GIVING MANGROVES OF GOA
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Mangroves are an integral part of the Goan ecosystems on the boundary between land and sea. These extraordinary ecosystems contribute to the wellbeing, food security, and protection of coastal communities worldwide. Their soils are highly effective carbon sinks, sequestering vast amounts of carbon. Goan organisations have noticed the impact rapid urbanization has on the fragile mangrove ecosystems and have been educating the younger generation.

‘Aamche Mangrove’, a community art project was initiated by interdisciplinary artist and curator Miriam Koshy in collaboration with Vishal Rawlley and Talullah D’Silva by creating a spiral installation of prayer flags made of gauze, entitled ‘Mangrave: (En)circling the Loss’, in Merces, along the Panjim-Bambolim highway where a vast tract of Mangroves has been systemically destroyed. The performance by different artists was recorded on film which was screened at Saraya, Sangolda. The film was directed and edited by Priyal Prana and the directors of photography were Dhruv Goswami, Hina Saiyada, Kabir Niak, Robbie Chhabra and Rutvik Talawanekar.

“We are planning for the screening of the film at Museum of Goa, Pilerne, on August 7, where we can show how the community came together to save the mangroves. Mangroves are very important for carbon trading as they absorb nearly five times of carbon than the rainforests do. As we concertize the ‘Bandhs’, near the mangrove, it is the same material that enters the fields and eventually lands on our plate,” says Miriam Koshy.

Godrej & Boyce launched India Mangroves Coalition in 2021, in partnership with CII’s Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development and WWF India. The coalition will support and propagate greater mangrove conservation and plantation across India’s vast coastline. Valerie Monteiro from Benaulim is working as a volunteer with WWF under the Magical Mangroves Campaign.

“Mangroves are a group of salt tolerant plants forming complex coastal ecosystems in the inter-tidal regions. They comprise of diverse species of plants and terrestrial and marine animals and birds. However, mangrove forests found in the inter-tidals of seven rivers in Goa are under immense pressure of diversion of forests to non forest use, agriculture, recreation, tourism and others. Magical Mangroves provided me with opportunity to create awareness among school children along the Sal river on the importance of these forests, its unique ecosystems and the need to support efforts aimed at their protection and conservation,” says Monteiro.

Amreen Shaikh, is the Head of Experiences, with Make It Happen, a group of individuals, who specialize in curating travel experiences. She recently worked on ‘Guardian Spirits of Goa’, a well researched documentary, with a unique recital of legends and anecdotes associated with protector-spirit worship in Goa. “From time immemorial, various aspects of nature have been worshipped for its protection or looking at its importance. Similarly in the coastal state of Goa, mangroves are worshipped by people in the form of sacred groves. On the tiny island of Tiswadi taluka, Akhada Island, one can see people worshipping the mangrove as they believe that the mangroves are a form of Sakholyo. Sakholyo, is a protector spirit worshipped in various villages of Goa including the capital city, Panjim,” says Shaikh.

With nearly 32 years of experience, Uday Mandrekar is the go-to person if one wants to explore the mangroves in Goa. With his house close to the river bank in Chorao, he has grown up watching different species of birds and animals making their homes in the mangrove, through different periods of the year. “I receive guests throughout the year including researchers and photo journalists who want to study the mangroves. I do not allow anyone to disturb their habitat. Over the years, I have noticed that the mangroves are spreading. The fishermen are pruning the mangroves as they cannot collect the fish. I have also seen otters more frequently now. Last week, I spotted near 6-7 otters at a single spot. There are a huge number of crocodiles too besides the migratory birds. There are also certain edible fruits which one can find in the mangroves. We used to eat them when we were young but now the fruits have become tasteless with the increase in pollution,” says Mandrekar, a humble boatman.

Mandrekar starts his day at 7am with visitors quietly observing the wildlife in their natural habitat. He was the subject of a documentary film, ‘The Birdman of Chorao’, by Shashank Bhosale, which won the second runner-up award at the Green Heroes Film Festival in 2017.

On a positive note, Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane said his department will take up the plantation of 1,500 mangrove trees on ‘Mankulem Island’ as part of the coastal defence of environment programme, of the state forest department

Herald Goa
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