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