Six persons were arrested for clearing 10 hectares of mangrove forest near Palayakayal creek near Tuticorin on Thursday. State Forest Department officials who apprehended them also seized the vehicles used in the offence.
Shekar Kumar Niraj, Conservator of Forests, Virudhunagar Circle, said that when he visited the area during March this year, he received information about clearing of mangroves for setting up salt pans. Following this, the matter was taken to the notice of the District Administration and the Collector formed a Committee to investigate the issue. Meanwhile, forest officials also warned the people not to indulge in clearing the place.
However, the group continued to clear the mangroves and when the forest officials came to know about it a couple of days ago, Dr. Niraj visited the spot and saw the people using earthmovers to clear the remaining portions of the mangrove forest. He alleged that the locals, who had some political backing, were trying to destroy the natural bio-shield.
Since tsunami in 2004, the State Forest Department had taken measures to raise mangrove forests along coastline in the State. Some of the important mangrove blocks in Tuticorin included Inico Nagar, Kovilpillainagar, New Port Area, Palayakayal and Punnakayal, spread over more than 1500 hectares.
With increased threats to the mangrove forests, the Department is taking steps to get these blocks notified as Reserve Forest under the Tamil Nadu Forest Act 1882.
Another 550 hectares of mangroves lands are awaiting final notification since 1994 due to the slow settlement process. The contribution of mangrove forests to enrich the fisheries could not be quantified and they were important for the growth of other marine species. Destroying mangrove forests would only spoil the future of small time fishermen who venture into the waters in their catamarans, he added.
