MAP News Issue # 607 – Sept. 21, 2024

SRI LANKA – Sri Lanka is taking significant steps to counter low mangrove cover, currently equal to 0.3 per cent of the country’s landmass. This is crucial because lack of coverage increases the risks associated with climate change and natural disasters such as storm surges and tsunamis.

KENYA – Sabaki River estuary is one of the 68 key biodiversity areas in the country located on the tail end of the Athi-Galana -Sabaki river basin. The unique ecosystem comprises sandbanks, mudflats, dunes, freshwater pools, marshes and mangroves.

BAHAMAS = Bermuda’s biggest mangrove forest has been given a new lease of life courtesy of environmental officials and area residents. Mangroves at the back of the sheltered South Shore bay are protected under the international Ramsar Convention.

FIJI – Development is moving towards the mangroves, says Blue Prosperity Fiji strategic advisor Joeli Veitayaki. Mr Veitayaki said there has been a reduction of mangrove areas over the past few years in the North due to land reclamation. “If we are removing the mangroves, we are endangering marine life,” he said, adding there was a need to strengthen the law in order to address the issue.

INDIA – To stop rampant encroachment on mangroves, 669 CCTV cameras will soon be installed in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), officials say. In September last year, during the 25th meeting on mangroves protection, Konkan Divisional Commissioner Dr Mahendra Kalyankar had also instructed all government agencies to coordinate their efforts to save mangroves.

INDIA – Efforts to restore and develop mangrove forests in the Thoothukudi district in Tamil Nadu are progressing, as the forestry department works to rebuild these crucial ecosystems that were damaged by severe floods in 2023. “Due to the heavy rain, all the seeds planted in the Alayathi forest area were washed away by the flood,” said Kavin, Ranger at Tiruchendur Vanasaragam.