Mangrove Isle –
Mangrove Propagation,Establishment with Integrated farming - Puthuppally -
Devikulangara – Kayamkulam - Alappuzha District – Kerala State - South India by
Anilkumar.M.R
Introduction
The theme of the my project is Formation, Restoration and
maintenance of water bodies, Back water changed to brackish due to construction
of Pulimuttu and opening natural barrier
( break water ) for fishing harbour.
Impact of opening up of
(Pozhi) by way of construction of small fishing harbors – ecosystem imbalance,
salt intrusion, agro farming is totally disturbed, basic fish varieties
vanished, land degradation, siltation.
Wetland conservation
adjacent to Tsunami affected areas, rehabilitation through mangroves in line
with that of Andaman & Nicobar Islands during the last Tsunami. During data
collection & field survey we noticed Accumulation and washing out of toxic
and bio waste into water bodies and
ground water affected – coconut trees are seriously affected –
especially production and quality of coconuts.
Degrading coastal ecosystems puts serious strain on the
socio – economic well – being of society , and leaves it vulnerable to extreme events
– as well as too apparent in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami . In
order to ensure ecosystem productivity and continued support to human development,
coastal ecosystem must be maintained and improved.
During the post
independence period high priority was accorded to increase, agricultural production
and productivity for providing food security to the people and as such;
Reclamation of waterlogged areas, Strengthening of extension services etc were
given priority apart from other components.
Overview
Devikulangara Panchayat
on the eastern Coast of Kayamkulam Kayal , is rich in brackish water fish resource like Karimeen , Konchu , Tilapia etc. During early days, before the opening of
Kayamkulam poshi to Ashi , It was paddy in the wet land during Mundakan and Sesamom in summer .Unfortunately
due to land degradation and many socio,political and economic interventions,
paddy cultivation stopped and Sesamom as well. Farming Community mostly depend on Coconut
cultivation.
We propose appropriate
alternative production technology for the efficient utilization of the degraded
land to an integrated, model sustainable production unit to support food
security.
The trials and
initiatives so far undertaken were supported by Smt.Sajitha , Agriculture
officer , Krishi Bhavan , Devikulangara, Dr.Anitha , Scientist , CPCRI , Kayamkulam,
, Dr.Ravi , CPCRI kayakulam, Sri.Raju Francis IFS Assistant Conservator of Forest
, Social Forestry Division , Alappuzha, Sri. Vijayan , Forester, Social Forestry
, Alappuzha and Sri.Sreekumar , ADAK , Alappuzha .
Relevance of the Scheme
The relevance of the
programme is to provide a centre for the public, a model waste land utilization
and management unit. The need is to utilize man made water logged areas to
productive purpose and support food security measures of the government. When
Kayamkulam Azhi became pozhi due to
opening it for fishing harbor , sea water intruded into the paddy fields ,
salinity increased , low lying paddy fields were water logged and the whole paddy field in the Panchayat
became un productive.
Objectives
The initiative adopts a
new approach that re orients the limited focus on coastal investment. This
approach means moving from a reactive response to land degradation, to
progressive activities that address long-term sustainable management needs.
These include building awareness and capacity for livelihood security, disaster
preparedness and climate change adaptation. This new approach means supporting
economic development by promoting sustainable investment opportunities and
ensuring coastal ecosystem goods and services are properly valued and
protected.
· To develop model farm for strengthening degraded farm land.
· To promote efforts in coastal ecosystem management.
· To make more knowledge available
· To empower institutions and people to use that knowledge.
· To enable PRIs to participate effectively in decision – making and
promote good governance in coastal areas.
Programme and
scheduling
Fish culture is ongoing
and this year we expect more seedlings for sale. Local varieties of fish harvested
by traditional fishermen from back waters will be procured, cooked and served
to visitors. Once the water villas and floating villas are completed we expect
renting out these for overnight stay. During this stay, too discussions on fish
culture, and integrated farming will be conducted. Also cultural program will
be coordinated with the support of Anil, Panachooran, Poet from our family.
The whole project will
be open to visitors from 1st March 2012.
Mode of implementation
Methodology
Farm will work to
strengthen the broader frame works that influence people’s investment decisions
and actions, and which enable or hinder environmentally sustainable marshy land
close to coastal areas. Also the promoters in association with ADAK , Alappusha
will take direct actions at field level required to manage degraded land
sustainably, equitably and effectively.
Training and demonstration
Training on any one of
the above mentioned subject will be organized in the farm. The department
concerned will liaise with the promoters and conduct trainings, seminar etc.
Training on farm
machinery and equipment will also be given in Association with Agricultural
Engineering Wing .Enough land is available for this purpose.
Project management and
Monitoring
The promoter have 18
years experience in Agriculture, Three years as CEO in Kerala PSU, Four years
International experience and related
experience. The project management will be the sole responsibility of the
promoter who has 33 years experience in related field.
Components of the Farm
The components are
suggested with multi pronged approach. The main component is fish culture and
related amenities and infrastructure development in line with village fish farm
Tourism.
Agriculture
a. Fisheries
Many brackish water fish stock are
under severe threat in and around Kayamkulam Kayal. High population growth,
compounded by migration into coastal areas, has led to increasing demands on
back water fish resources. The situation is aggravated by uncoordinated
economic development and extraction of natural resources. Not all of these
pressures are local in origin. Many unsustainable demands on brackish water
fish resources arise from global trends and actions, and are driven by markets
and forces outside the region. Consumer demand, conflict of interests weak
governance have resulted in a failure to implement or enforce policies at
regional levels, often with grave consequences for the environment and well
being of communities.
We have regenerated artificial
ponds from own earth by dredging and protecting the outer bunds with mangroves
seedlings ,coconut piles, and fish culture was done, successfully. The
whole quantity was consumed by coastal community. The harvest was good and
acquired a net profit of Rs. 35000/-. The message has gone to whole villagers.
The costs of capital investment for permanent infrastructures were not taken
into account. Everybody appreciated including PRIs leaders. This success story
was being monitored and advises received from Dr. Anitha ,CPCRI kayamkulam from
inception.
We have tried goat
rearing on a trial basis in temporary shed with four Female and one Male Jamuna
Pari . After six months, two gave birth
and the population increased to seven , but we lost two young ones because of
premature delivery of the third one. But we were successful and sold about 4 liters
milk per day to the society.
This success story, we wish to develop with
appropriate, infrastructure and capital investment. This includes purchase of
highbred variety and goat shed with water and light connection. Procurement
from local vendors or from private farms are very expensive and the whole
process will not be cost effective and hence become less attractive. Here we require
Govt: intervention to support for the procurement of Goats.
a. Poultry
On a trial basis we
have reared few chics to the tune of about 20 numbers. It was quite encouraging
for local variety; there was good demand for eggs. We would need infrastructure,
capital investment for rearing 50
numbers local variety .
b. Ducks
So far we have good and
bad experience related to the subject. Corrective steps are taken and now going
smooth.
Case study
From the inception of our
farm we were fond of ducks for the simple reason that the location suits
duckery to many extent. We procured 150 ducklings from a street vendor at
balaramapuram , who is supplying ducklings from Tamilnadu. We couldn’t trace
him after the purchse.The ducklings were taken to Kayamkulam , every days one
by one died and recovery was zero . The total loss around Rs. 4000/-.we would
like to share this experience through our technologydissemination centre
After the failure we
procured ducks through one of our friend in kuttanad and the mission went successful
earning around 10 eggs per day.We also approached CPCRI and received advises
from Dr.Anitha and Dr,Ravi of CPCRI, kayamkulam. Cages were constructed in the
pond so that the excreta or droppings will go directly to the pond and act as
feed or create algae for creating favorable condition for fish. The cage was
kept clean and hygiene maintained.
This technology will be
upgraded and disseminated to farmers during their visit and classes conducted
by experts on demand.
We have already
constructed cages in the ponds. The droppings are stimulants to fish feed and
water conditioning.
We require some support
from veterinary department in time for vaccination etc which is very difficult
to get.
There is enough open area
for duck rearing.
a. Mangroves Propagation
Our Motto - Restore mangroves – Sequester Carbon.
Our Stock: ( a )
- Two year old mangroves – 500 nos.
(b ) - One year old mangroves – 10000 nos.
What is happening
at the International Level?
Mangroves for the
future ( MFF ) was launched by Bill Clinton in Phuket in December 2006. MFF is
a unique partnership – led initiative to promote investment in coastal
ecosystem.
As a pilot scale induction of mangrove seedlings,
for understanding the responsiveness to our 30-32 ppt saline water, we have
planted 500 seedling procured through social forestry division Alappusha. The support
from ACF and forester vijayan was quite encouraging.
Current
rates of mangrove loss are roughly estimated at around 150,000 hectares
(370,050 acres) per year, or about 1% per annum (according to the United
Nations Food and Agriculture Organization - FAO).
Mangrove loss = Loss of carbon sequestration potential
Almost 225,000 metric tons of carbon
sequestrations potential are lost each year with current rates of mangrove
destruction.
Mangroves
take up (sequester) approximately:
- 1.5
metric tons/hectare/yr of carbon
- 3.7
lbs/acre/day of carbon (1336 lbs/acre/yr)
Disturbed mangrove soils release
greater than an additional 11 million metric tons of carbon annually.
Oxidation and release of stored mangrove carbon
Layers of soil and peat which make
up the mangrove substrate have a high
carbon content of 10% or more. Each hectare of mangrove sediment might
contain nearly 700 metric tons
of carbon per meter depth. When disturbed, carbon is released back into the atmosphere, further contributing
to increased carbon emissions.
In developing large area, ranging in
area from 1/2 hectare to several hectares in size, approximately 2 meters of
sediment are dug out.
Clearing of mangroves and subsequent
excavation of the mangrove substrate for indiscriminate development could
result in the potential oxidation of
1,400 tons of carbon per ha.
According to Dr. Jin Eong Ong of the
Universiti Sams in Malaysia, “Assuming that only half of this will become
oxidized over a period of 10 years, we are looking at the return of 70 tons of carbon per hectare per year
for ten years to the atmosphere.
"This is some 50 times the
sequestration rate. This means that by destruction of a mere 2% of mangroves, all of the advantages of mangroves as a sink
of atmospheric carbon will be lost…”(source – data collected from
internet resources )
Village fish farm tourism
Efforts are being initiated
for the demonstration of Bio fencing of water bodies through mangroves.
Medicinal plants varieties – to know the best species which grow in the region-
soil type, irrigation. Education and awareness creation among younger
generation on the environmental impacts and aforestation needed for the area
with real case stories
Thick
vegetative growth generated on the outer bund with cashew, plantains,
vegetables and other variety of plants. The outer and inner bund need
protection for holding the sand, landscaping and provide permanent fencing.
Bund protection with hard laterite masonry and plastic coated high quality nets
are necessary for visitors and children for safety .We expect good amount of
revenue from visitor’s fee. So the sustainability of farm and visitors safety is
foremost
