FAMILIARIZATION COURSE IN MANGROVEECOSYSTEM AT NIO GOA

First of all on behalfof the Mangrove Societyof Indiaand on my own, I wish you a very happy new year. OurSociety is now almost one year old. The Society has beenreceiving very good response too. We have receivedencouraging letters from Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, Presi-dent, ISMEand IUCN; Editor, IMSNewsletter; Dr. MarcSteyart, UNESCO and many more. Let us come togetherand strengthen this society which can significantly con-tribute to the development of mangroves and our wel-fare.

Since the first issue of this newsletter, some impor-tant activities did take place at the international level.The International Symposium held at Al Ain has specifi-cally looked into the problems of salinity tolerance, whilethe International Workshop of Madras was mainlydevoted to develop 'the Global Network for MangroveGermplasm Centres' with reference to the sea level rise.A Familiarization Course on Mangrove Ecosystem spe-cially for the forest officials of Govt. of Maharashtra wasorganized to create awareness at managerial level. TheInternational Union for the Conservation of NatureOUCN) organised a workshop on Wetlands (coveringmangroves also) at Bangkok, Thailand.

Through our earlier issue you were requested to sendinformation about various mangrove projects (ongoingand completed), books published on mangroves and anyother mangrove activity. We are sure that our memberswould be certainly benefited by your programmes. Wealso intend to include the titles of the latest researchpapers on mangroves published from India. This is onlypossible with your active cooperation. Your ideas, sug-gestions are always welcome for making MANGALVAN more popular.

Dr. M. Vannucci, the moving force behind the entiremangrove movement in Asia and the Pacific is relin-quishing from UNESCO Service. The project has cometo an end. But we are sure that personality like Dr.Vannucci cannot retire from Science -may be mangrovesor her favorite subject - INOOLOGY. She would go oninspiring the coming generations. We wish her best inher new venture.

A.G.UntawaleExecutive Secretary

A short term course was organized at the NationalInstitute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa fromJanuary 28 to February 1, 1991 to familiarize the highForest officials of Govt. of Maharashtra. This, 5-daycourse comprised theory lectures on distribution, ecol-ogy, biology, conservation, afforestation and manage-ment, coupled with practicals in remote sensingtechniques, and other surveys, visits to mangrove forestsand mangrove nurseries of Goa and Maharashtra. Therewere about 25 high officials, who would be practisingthese ideas of conservation, afforestation and manage-ment.

The entire 5-day course was sponsored and fundedby Govt. of Maharashtra, Bombay.

INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON GLOBAL NET-WORK OF MANGROVE GERMPLASM CENTRES,MADRAS

Project Formulation Workshop for Establishing aNetwork of Genetic Resources Centres for Adapting toSea Level Rise was held at Madras from January 15-19,1991.The main objective of the workshop was to formu-late project for an establishment of a global network ofgenetic resources centres for the conservation, evalua tionand sustainable utilization of mangrove resources. Thiswas jointly organised by Centre for Research on Sus-tainable Agricultural and Rural Development, Kothur-puram, Madras 600005 and International TropicalTimber Organization Tokyo.

The workshop received an overwhelming responsefrom scientists from different countries and Internationalorganizations like FAa, ISME, IUCN, UNEP, UNESCO,WWF. About 40 members participated in the workshop.The first session started with aims and overview of theworkshop followed by the second session mainly con-centrating on state of mangrove resources and conserva-tion in Asia, Africa, North Central and South America,Caribbeans, Australia and Pacific islands. Other sessionsdiscussed mainly genetic resources conservation, tech-nology of conservation and germplasm exchange, q)m-puterised database development and management.

The first phase of the project has been decided tostart on June 5, 1991. The first phase which involvessurvey and identification of site for genetic conservation,pilot study on information systems, training programmefor gene bank mangroves, is proposed to commencefrom June 5th 1991.

Phase II, (1992-1995) : Will involve design anddevelopment of specific conservation, research andtraining programmes conservation and their implemen-tation.

Phase III (1996-2001) : During this last period, allthe network activities will be consolidated and geneticenhancement centres will develop technique for isola-tion of the salt tolerance genes from mangroves, thentransfer the crop plants in near shore areas. .

The UNDP /UNESCO Regional Mangroves Projectwill fold up its activities on December 31st, 1990 aftereight years of very intensive work in the fields of survey,research, training and application of research results tothe management of mangrove ecosystems in Asia andthe Pacific.

The UNDP /UNESCO Regional MangrovesProgramme included two projects RAS179/002 andRAS/86/120, lasting four years each. lt started its ac-tivity in February 1983 in Thailand where the first Intro-ductory Training Course was held. Each of the originalnine participating countries, that later expanded to 22,nominated a National Mangrove Committee and theIndia NATMANCOM is functional under the OOEnand is the body in Government that deals with mattersconcerning mangrove ecosystems. TheNATMANCOMs of all the countries were the counter-parts of the UNDP /UNESCO Regional MangroveProjects and continue to ~ active.

In India, Forest Departments, CSIR, Universities,Research Institutions and Non Government Organisa-tions participated actively in the programmes of thisProject and now, all of them and those who arc inter-ested, in their individual capacity have come togetherunder common ideals reflected in the creation and activeparticipation in the work to be achieved by Mangal-Van.

Mangal-Van is a forum for discussion and ex-change of views, knowledge and expertise among thepeople dealing with mangroves in its multiple aspects,scientific, habitational, exploitative, etc. A strongsociety will contribute to make all its members strong.

As the UNDP /UNESCO folds up its activities, itleaves behind it, an international level & the Internation-al Society for Mangrove Ecosystems - ISME - based atOkinawa, Japan, whose objective it is to promote re-search, wise utilization and conservation of mangrove

ecosystems. The President of, ISME isDr. M.S. Swaminathan and the Executive Secretary isProf. Yoshihiro Kohda.

We hope that Mangal-Van and ISME, in isolationand together will be able to carry on and improve uponthe work accomplished by the UNDP /UNESCOMangrove Projects.

ON THE CREATION OF MANGAL-VAN, THE IN-DIAN MANGROVE SOCIETY

It has now become qui te common to hear someonesaying something more or less like this: "until a fewyears ago nobody knew what mangroves are, let alonemention them, now we keep hearing abou t them and areurged to conserve them, use them and manage themadequately. We are told how productive they are andthat no effort should be spared towards afforestatiorand reforestation of low lying muddy intertidal areaswith mangrove trees". Five years ago it was still com-mon to see people misunderstand "mangoes" formangroves.

Indeed, the speed at which a "mangrovephilosophy", If Imay say so, has developed and invadedall means of communication and all types of people, isremarkable. This is taken to be a significant index thatthe re-discovery of mangroves is sound and promis-ing.

I say re-discovery because traditionally - unfor-tunately traditional knowledge and wisdom are oftenoverlooked - the people of the tropical coastal zone of theworld have always known the many uses to which themangroves as individual species of trees and as anecosystem can be put to.

Total conservation of core areas for the sake ofgenetic diversity should be practiced, but there is nocontradiction between conservation and preservation oflarge areas for the health of the ecosystem on one sideand good management on the other. Mangrove ecosys-tems are no exception and it has been shown thatmangroves can profitably be managed as forests, as silvi-aquacultural complexes and as silvi-agri-aquaculturalcomplex systems. There are innumerable examples, spe-cially in South and South-east Asia of mangrove ecosys-tems that have continued to be productive fishinggrounds of both capture and captive fisheries, while atthe same time producing timber, fuel wood, poles,chemicals and are as well givers of indirect benefi ts suchas coastal stabilization and accretion, recycling andproduction of nutrients, etc. Thus, if the mangroveecosystem is recognized in its full potential, man may

take advantage of the best of two worlds :" land, sea,freshwater and air interface and of the unique ecosystemthat this combination of factors brings about in the tropi-cal belt of the world.

It is, societies like Mangal- Van an ISMEthat will helpus work with nature rather than against it for the benefitofall ofus; we must always remember that sooner or laterman will always be defeated if he tries to oppose nature.

LIST OF BOOKS RELATED TO MANGROVEECOSYSTEMS FROM INDIA

1.How to grow mangroves. A.G. UntawalePublishers: W.W.F. India, 204National Insurance Bldg.,Dr. ON. Road, Bombay.

2.The Mangroves and us : A synthesis of insights. M.Vannucci. Publishers: Indian Association for the Ad-vancement of Science, 55, Kaka Nagar, New Delhi.(Rs.l50).

3.Mangroves in India: Status Report.Publishers: Ministry of Environment and Forests, NewDelhi.

4.The Mangrove of India. F. Blasco.Publishers: Institut Francais de Pondicherry, India.

5."Sathapunela Vana Vazhenkal" (Mangrove ForestResources). Abdhul Rahman. Publishers: Arkit Pub-lishers, 12/F, Mathur Road, Erode (in Tamil) (Rs.75).

6.Mangroves of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Ie.Dayar,A.D.Mongia and A.K. Bandopadhyay.Publishers: Oxford and J.H.B. Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd.,66Janapath, New Delhi ($27).

7. Records of the Ecological Survey of India (Bibliog-raphy of the Indian Sunderbans with special reference tofauna) by N.C. Nandi and Mishra. Publishers: Zoologi-cal Survey of India, Calcutta. (Rs.40).

8. Fauna of Sunderban Mangrove Ecosystem, West Ben-gal, India. A.K. MandaI and N.C. Nandi. Publishers:Zoological Survey of India, Calcutta (Rs.120).

9.Conservation of Mangroves in India.Publishers: Ministry of Environmental Forests, Govt. ofIndia, New Delhi.

10. Ecogeographical Studies in Vashisti and TerekholRivers. G.V. Joshi and S.D. Shinde. Shivaji UniversityPublications.

11. The Mangroves : Proceedings of National Sym-posium on Biology, Utilization and Conservation ofMangroves. (Ed. L.J.Bhosle), Shivaji University Publica-tions.

12.Sunderbans mangrove (Ecology and Wildlife). A.B.Chaudhuri and Kalyan Chakrabarti. Publishers: JugalKishore & Co., Dehra Dun (Rs.250).

1. Name of village: ARONDA, Taluka: Sawantwadia. Name of the scheme: Maharashtra Social Forestry

Projectb. Year of afforestation 1986-87c. Survey no. 101, 103, 110d. Area under afforestation 5.0 hae. Mangrove species used Avicennia and Rhizophoraf. Total seedlings planted 12,500g. Distance between two 2.5 x 2.5m

seedlingsh. Survival rate 79.0%i. Total expenditure for Rs.32,830.00

three years

a. Name of the scheme Maharashtra Social ForestryProject

b. Year of afforestation 1989-90(Phase 1)c. Survey no. 372, 249,250,411, 424d. Area under afforestation 2.0 hae. Mangrove species used Avicennia and Rhizophoraf. Total seedlings planted 5000g. Distance between two 2 x 2 m

seedlingsh. Survival rate 95%i. Total expenditure Rs.9,938.00

a. Name of the scheme Maharashtra Social ForestryProject

b. Year of afforestation 1990-91(Phase II)c. Survey no. 372,249,250,411,424d. Area under afforestation 11hae. Mangrove species used Avicennia and Rhizophoraf. Total seedlings planted 27,500g. Distance between two 2 x 2 m

seedlingsh. Survival rate 95%i. Total expenditure Rs.l,18,395.00

INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR MANGROVEECOSYSTEMS (lSME)

To promote research and surveys associated withother organizations, conservation, management, utiliza-tion , enhance public awareness, function as an interna-tional data bank on mangrove ecosystems, to organizeconferences, seminars, symposia, lectures, trainingcour-ses and support research projects.

Membership:

Institutional members: Such members will be fromgovernment organization, academic and research in-stitutions, public and private industries and internation-alorganizations.

Individual member: Those who are interested inpromoting the aims and objectives of the Society.

Membership contribution:

Institutional members: not less than 2500 Yen orequivalent US dollars.

Individual member: not less than 2000 Yen orequivalent US dollars.

Application form for membership will be availablewith:Executive Secretary[nternational Society for Mangrove EcosystemC/o College of AgricultureUniversity of the Ryakyus1Senbara, NishiharaOkinawa 903-01 Japan.

The Society also started a newsletter from December1990.

MaharashtraDr. A.D. AgateDr. Arvind RaddiMr. Sanjay DeshmukhDr. Aditi PantMrs. Geeta Srinivasan~iss Svetlana PintoDr. Lcela Bhosle~iss H.5. KanvindeMr. Shabbir InamdarProf. A.R. Kulkarni

AnnualAnnualLifeAnnualLifeAnnualAnnualAnnualAnnualAnnual

GoaDr. A.G. UntawaleMr. Thomas MathewDr. L.N. SanthakumaranDr. Sayeeda Wafar\1r. S. ChinnarajDr. T.G. Jagtap\1iss Sumedha Kamat

Tamil NaduI rof. R. NatarajanJr. R. Santhanam\1r. R.E. WhitakerJr. L. Kannan

LifeAnnualAnnualAnnualAnnualAnnualLife

AnnualAnnualAnnualAnnual

West Bengalvtr. Pranabes Sanyal

Pondicherry)r. V.M. Meher Homji

Dr. Caratini ClaudeDr. Tissot Colette

AnnualAnnual

DelhiDr. M. VannucciDr. SN. Dwivedi

Andhra PradeshDr. M. Umamaheswara Rao -Dr. K. Lakshminarayana

GujaratDr. Shailesh Nayak

KeralaDr. E.G. Silas

Madhya PradeshProf. V.P. Singh

LifeAnnual

AnnualAnnual

FranceDr. F. Blasco

No.8/10/83-FORGovernment of GoaForest DepartmentSecretariatPanaji, GoaDated: 11.9.1990

In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-sec-tion (1) of Section 32 of the Goa, Daman and DiuPreservation of Trees Act, 1984 (Act 6 of 1984), theGovernment of Goa, in the interest of generalpublic, hereby declares that the following class oftrees belonging to mangrove species shall not befelled for a period of ten years.

(1) Rhizophora mucronata(2) Kandelia rheedii(3) Avicennia officina lis(4) Sonneratia alba(5) Ceriops tagal(6) Excoecaria agallocha(7) Rhizophora apiculata(8) Bruguiera gymnorhiza(9) Avicennia marina

(10) Sonneratia caseolaris(11) Aegiceras corniculatum(12) Acanthus ilicifolius(13) Derris heterophylla(14) Acrostichum aureum(15) Bruguiera parviflora

By order and in the name of theGovernor of Goa

Sd/ -( A.T. Fernandes)

PanajiDated: 11.9.90Under Secretary to the Govt. of Goa