Pichavaram Mangrove Forest
Map: India
Current relevance:
i.
A recent economic-valuation study has estimated the Total Economic
Value (TEV) of the Pichavaram mangrove ecosystem at ₹2,485.38 crore, or
approximately ₹1.83 crore per hectare.
ii.
The study also estimated its combined vegetation and soil blue-carbon
asset at ₹1,612.40 crore, highlighting the mangroves' importance as a natural
carbon sink and climate-regulation ecosystem.
Continent:
Pichavaram is a coastal mangrove wetland on the southeast coast of
India, adjoining the Bay of Bengal.
Important Places:
i.
Pichavaram: Major mangrove wetland complex of Tamil Nadu and the central location
for mapping.
ii.
Chidambaram: Important nearby town in Cuddalore district.
iii.
Vellar Estuary: Lies on the northern side of the Pichavaram mangrove system.
iv.
Coleroon/Kollidam Estuary: Lies towards the southern side of the mangrove
ecosystem.
v.
Bay of Bengal: Located immediately east of the Pichavaram coastal landscape.
vi.
Mudasalodai: Important settlement and access point associated with Pichavaram; also
one of the mangrove-dependent villages covered by the economic study.
Rivers:
Pichavaram
is situated in the coastal zone between the Vellar estuary in the north and
the Coleroon (Kollidam) estuary in the south, with its mangrove channels
influenced by freshwater and tidal exchange with the Bay of Bengal.
Significance:
i.
Ramsar Site: Pichavaram Mangrove was designated a Wetland of International
Importance (Ramsar Site) on 8 April 2022, covering about 1,479
hectares.
ii.
Mangrove biodiversity: The wetland contains mangrove forests, tidal
waterways, mudflats and associated coastal habitats, providing important
habitat for fish, crustaceans, birds and other wildlife.
iii.
Coastal protection: Mangrove vegetation helps reduce coastal erosion
and buffer the effects of storms, waves and other coastal hazards.
iv.
Blue carbon: Mangrove vegetation and especially mangrove soils store substantial
amounts of carbon, making Pichavaram important for climate-change
mitigation.
v.
Fisheries and livelihoods: The mangrove ecosystem acts as a nursery and
breeding habitat for aquatic organisms and supports fishing and other
livelihoods of nearby coastal communities.
vi.
Disaster-risk reduction: Its location along the Bay of Bengal coast
makes the mangrove belt an important nature-based coastal defence.
Source:
THE HINDU