User:Aalamaramngoin

MANGROVE FORESTS are not only important but also very crucial for the coastal areas. Since estuarine areas are highly populated areas, the slightest ecological imbalance will take a heavy toll. They play a vital role in stabilizing these areas. No engineering and technological solutions can be sought for stabilizing thes Even if we negate all benefits of mangroves as forests, their value as "protector of shore-line" is enough to convince us for planting and conserving them. Above all, Mangroves are now looked after by scientists as saviors in the today's scenario of global warming. We all know that most of the coastal areas throughout the world are going to be affected by sea level rise due to global warming. The effects of which are already visible. Therefore, when most of the coastal areas will be flooded, mangroves can possibly provide a gene bank for cultivating salt tolerant species of crops which could be our future resource. In short, the importance of mangroves can be summed up as a.	Buffer Zone between the land and the sea. b.	Protect coastal land from erosion. c.	Play an invaluable role as nature’s shield against cyclones, ecological disasters and as protector of shorelines. d.	Breeding and nursery grounds for a variety of marine animals. e.	Harbour a variety of life-forms like invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and even mammals like tigers. f.	Good source of timber, fuel and fodder. g.	Main source of income generation for shoreline communities like fisher-folk. h.	Save the Marine Diversity, which is fast diminishing. i.	Purify the water by absorbing impurities and harmful heavy metals and help us breathe clean air by absorbing the pollutants in the air. j.	Potential source of recreation and tourism. Taking all this, especially the welfare of the costal folk, into consideration, AALAMARAM NGO, with the support of neighbouring villagers, planted nearly 5,000 mangrove saplings along the bank of Uppanar River. The industrial area of Cuddalore, SIPCOT is located on the bank and wishing that the mangroves would purify the water and the air polluted by these industries, volunteers eagerly planted saplings of mangrove and avicennia along the river bank. Motivated by the interest showed by the villagers in protecting the saplings, the office bearers of the NGO also planned to expand this project to the other nearby coastal villages too. But unfortunately, every body’s dreams about the mangrove forests were shattered by the historic downpours and the storm that ravaged the Cuddalore district in the months of November and December. More than one lakh saplings that were planted for a stretch of 15 km, and other instruments like small boats etc. used in the planting and maintaining of the mangroves, whose worth estimated more than  Rs 10 crore were pathetically destroyed by the floods. Due to non-stop rain for more than 30days, the plants were totally immersed in fresh water for more two months. Due to the decrease in the salinity of the b ase water, the plants started decaying. Even the plants which were 3 feet high were immersed in water and the total mangroves along the coast were totally ruined. Reports, regarding this damage, have already been submitted to the concerned District Level and State Level authorities. To put back things in order along the coast and restart the planting of saplings, the NGO AALAMARAM has constantly been sending reports to the concerned authorities requesting a compensation of Rs 1 crore. Paddy fields and other plantations’ destruction was taken into account and compensation has been given by the State Government, whereas our plea has not yet been considered. Thus, we request you to take necessary steps to visit the destructed areas and provide necessary compensation for the loss.