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'Sanctuary buffer zone should be protected'
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| The Pioneer , Friday, July 28, 2006 |
| Correspondent
: Staff Reporter |
| The workshop of the stakeholders to formulate a management plan for conserving Mangalavanam, the natural mangrove forest and bird sanctuary in the heart of the city, has observed that the buffer zone of the sanctuary should be protected and human interference and pollution have to be minimised. The vision of the management plan is to conserve a relic of natural heritage of Kochi for posterity. The management plan will address various topics including pollution, incompatible land use and conservation action for Mangalavanam and adjacent area. According to experts, various kinds of pollution, dumping of waste, oil spillage, traffic, air pollution, noise, sewage from neighbouring institutions is a major reason for the decline in the number of migratory birds. It was decided that agencies like GCDA, Port Trust, Corporation, Police, Pollution Control Board and Refinery would take necessary measures to tackle the issue of pollution. And a time bound project has been initiated in this regard.
A ten-member working group under the leadership of John Augustine Nirmal, Wildlife warden Peechi, has been formed to resolve the issues and shortcomings pointed out by various stakeholders during the debate. It was suggested that the whole surrounding areas, which comes under the CRZ -1 and owned by agencies like Railways, Tata Housing, GIDA and BPCL have to be declared as protected zone. The other major points came for discussion is the need for creating a buffer zone, regular monitoring and the natural regeneration of the area.
Earlier, while inaugurating the workshop, Deputy Mayor CK Mani Sankar has remarked that the whole area of Mangalavanam should be entrusted with the Forest Department so as to conserve it for the generations to come. "The existing natural forest will be destroyed if the Corporation takes over the Mangalavanam," Mani Sankar said. He was of the opinion that all the surrounding areas of Mangalavanam owned by various agencies like BPCL and Housing Board have to be handed over to the Forest Department to preserve the whole area as natural forest and bird sanctuary. While addressing the gathering, Deputy Mayor extended all support to the implementation of the management plan.
Former Mayor KJ Sohan presided over the function. Tribal Rehabilitation Commissioner, Forest Department, Dr BS Kori welcomed the gathering. Senior Director of Wildlife Trust of India Dr PS Eesa moderated the discussions.
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| SOURCE
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The Pioneer, Friday, July 28, 2006 |
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