More at http://www.sanctuaryasia.com |In the Field
FACING PAGE The Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary
supports the second largest mangrove forest
spread in India.
BELOW The unique mangrove forests sustain
the fi shing community as well as myriad fl oral
and faunal species such as Indian Skimmers.Coringa, once a fl ourishing port town,
internationally famous for ship-building
repairs and maritime trade, was devasted
by a cyclone. The storm of 1839, caused
the third largest loss of life from any
cyclone worldwide – around 300,000
fatalities. The storm surge was estimated
at 12 m. and it wrecked 20,000 vessels.
Coringa was never rebuilt, and is now a
small village surrounded by mangroves.
All that remains of the port town is a
dilapidated lighthouse that stands in the
middle of the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary.
Interestingly, this storm prompted Henry
Piddington, President of Inquiry at Kolkata,
to make a presentation on similar storms
to the Asiatic Society
of Bengal in 1840 and he coined the
term “cyclone”.
Only recently have mangroves
received much-needed appreciation
for their role in cyclone mitigation.
Hopefully, in the coming years, they
will also be recognised as an eff ective
instrument in cushioning the eff ects of
climate change.REGENERATING MANGROVES
The lives of the fi shing community here
revolve around these unique forests.
Their traditional knowledge greatly
helps in protecting the ecosystem. By
marrying ancient wisdom with delicate
application of technical knowledge,mangrove regeneration, in even the
most testing conditions, is possible.
This involves raising a nursery of
mangrove plants by collecting fl oating
and viviparous seedlings, nurturing
them in a specifi c type of marshy soil
and constructing channels in fi shbone
patterns as a joint-exercise by the
fi shing community, which assists the
Forest Department to restore the
coast. An immediate pay-off is the
creation of dignifi ed livelihoods.
The most obvious results are visible
in the shape and form of enhanced
harvests of resources, including fi sh,
prawns, crabs and more.ABODE OF THE FISHING CAT
AND TURTLES
One of the most charismatic carnivores
dwelling in these wetlands is the fi shing
cat, locally known as neetipilli. This lesser
known feline breeds and lives in the
estuarine ecosystem. While walking along
muddy shores, fi shing cat spoor can be
frequently seen.
The fi shing cat preys on fi sh, often
diving into the water to catch one.Ports, oil rigs, dredging, industrialisation, aquaculture ponds and salt pans
are expanding each day. If visionary leaders emerge, it is conceivable that
social and environmental groups could set a national example by working
together to counter this existential threat.the Papi hills, which support semi-
evergreen forests. The river then waters
agricultural and horticultural lands in the
deltaic plains. Finally, the brackish waters
with the unique ecosystem give way to
fi shing settlements.
THE GODAVARI’S MADA
FORESTS
The delta supports the second largest
mangrove patch (mada forests) along the
eastern coast of India, sustaining human
communities plus a host of endangered
and threatened wetland species. The
Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary situated about
20 km. from Kakinada, thus attracts a
large number of nature lovers.
ANANT SHANKAR