little over four months after the government approval to set up the Mangrove and Marine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation (Mangrove Foundation) in September 2015, the foundation is ready to start functioning with a corpus of around Rs 115 crore.
The country’s first such body to be established by the government, the mangrove foundation counts conservation of coastal and marine biodiversity and improving the livelihoods of the coastal communities through conservation-linked and eco-friendly intervention among its main objectives
According to N Vasudevan, Chief Conservator of Forests, Mangroves Cell and a member secretary of the foundation, activities will include conserving ecology and biodiversity of mangroves in Maharashtra and their protection, maintenance, restoration, regeneration, breeding, sustainable use and preservation.
The foundation’s initial corpus has come in the form of three per cent of the project cost of Navi Mumbai International Airport, amounting to Rs. 115.71 crores. This was transferred to the state forest department as directed by the National Board of Wildlife. The foundation’s activities will be financed with the interest generated from this corpus.
In future, funds received from the Project Agency against diversion of forest land involving mangroves shall be deposited with the Mangrove Foundation. Besides this, the foundation can also source funds from central, state and local self governments, semi-government, public sector, private and non-government organisations.
The foundation’s plan will also include promoting sustainable livelihood opportunities, cultural heritage and addressing vulnerabilities of local communities, including those caused by climate change, through awareness and capacity building programs.
“One of the most important factors involved is we can fund research by institutes or individuals who are focusing of issues such as marine mammals and coastal ecology,” said Mr Vasudevan.
Following an order from the Bombay High Court, the state government set up the Mangroves Cell in January 2012. All mangroves on government land have been notified as reserve forests under the Indian Forest Act. As per the India State of Forest Report 2015, Maharashtra has recorded the highest growth of mangroves. Compared to 2013, the state has shown an increase of 36 sq km in mangrove cover.
“Being the only such foundation in the country, we are hopeful that the experience can be extended to all coastal states,” Mr Vasudevan said.
All mangroves on government land
have been notified as reserve forests under the Indian Forest Act
