RAMANATHAPURAM
The Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park has proposed to introduce ecotourism in the mangrove forest area in Karankadu off East Coast Road by involving local fishermen.
The project had been drawn to promote ecotourism in the lush green mangrove forest region, create awareness of importance of conservation of dugong, an endangered marine mammal, and provide alternative livelihood to the local fishermen, Deepak S. Bilgi, Wildlife Warden, Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, said.
“The project would be implemented under Tamil Nadu Biodiversity and Greening Project,” Mr. Bilgi told The Hindu here on Tuesday.
Kunthukal-based Indian Life Service Federation (ILSF) had trained a batch of local fishermen in resuscitation, first aid and open water lifeguard, he said, adding the fishermen were also trained in boat riding and snorkelling.
During boat ride, tourists could traverse through the thickly grown mangroves, nestled in the backwaters, natural river mouth and creeks, he said. In snorkelling, the tourists would be exposed to the sea grass beds, the habitats of dugong in the shallow waters of the Palk Bay, as part of Dugong Conservation and Awareness Programme, he said.
While taking the hour-long boat ride, the tourists could also watch more than 25 species of birds, including migratory birds, which flocked the mangroves for feeding, Mr. Bilgi said.
Birds such as painted stork, open bill stork, spoonbill, white ibis, black ibis and black-winged stilt visited the mangroves throughout the year, he added.
“We will kick-start ecotourism soon with a Forest Department boat and by roping in fishermen’s boats before we buy exclusive boats,” he said.
The department had already bought life jackets and snorkel masks, and was building a 35-foot-tall watchtower for bird watching. The tourists could also enjoy a top-angle view of the mangroves from the watchtower, he added.
S. Ganeshalingam, Forest Range Officer, said mangroves of ‘avicennia marina’ variety were scattered on about 560 hectares in the district from Devipattinam to Sozhiakudisambai. The mangroves were luxuriant at Kannamunai in Karankadu and the department was also implementing Mangroves Area Enhancing Programme, he added.
