Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies leg-up for mangroves

Kochi: The Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) is accelerating measures for mangrove conservation in the state and in a pioneering move, the fisheries station of the university at Puthuvype has launched a project for protection and management of mangroves for fisheries and environmental enhancement.

The society and ecosystem oriented research project focuses on analysing the ecosystem services of mangroves, assessing the biodiversity of mangroves in the state, evaluating their efficiency as the bio-absorbent and creating awareness on the benefits of mangroves among the public.

The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory body of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, has sanctioned '11 lakh to the station to carry out the project.

The project is mainly aimed at expansion of the area of mangrove forests through scientific interventions and improved awareness among the public. The project will identify areas for the restoration of mangroves through women and youth participation.

“Studies on the bio-absorption of heavy metals and other toxins by the mangroves may establish the advantages of this plant community more convincingly to the public,” said Dr K Dinesh, head of the Fisheries Station and the principal investigator of the project.

“The new project at the Fisheries Station of KUFOS will create mass awareness on the ecological benefits of these plants and encourage its artificial propagation,” he said.

A mangrove research centre is already functioning at the fisheries station which produces thousands of mangrove plants a year at its nursery for distributing to the local self-governments and Department of Forests for coastal afforestation for environmental protection. Private organisations are also purchasing mangrove saplings from the station as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR).