Biodiversity and conservation of mangroves of devi river estuary (odisha), India

Devi estuary lying between 86o 04’ - 86o 20’ E longitude and 19o 45’- 19o 57’ N latitude harbours a moderately rich and diverse flora of mangroves. But in the past the species diversity was remarkably high as indicated by Ravishankar et al. (2004). 15 exclusive mangrove species (true mangroves) have been reported from this mangrove chunk of Odisha prior to the recent survey. In course of time there is tangible shrinkage of habitat as well as population of mangroves. Some species have already been wiped out, a few are on the verge of extinction and many species have shown very restricted distribution putting them in threatened/ vulnerable/ rare category (Nayar and Sastry, 1987). The depletion of the species is mainly due to severe biotic pressure coupled with other coastal dynamic changes and ecological changes. Mangrove forests are composed of several species having great economic potentialities, which inspire the people to exploit the mangrove forests in an unplanned manner to meet their needs. This causes depletion of species. So, immediate conservation of the mangrove forests are need of the hour. Realising this, the Government of India now emphasizes over the conservation of mangrove vegetation in all the states, where it is present. This aims at the interventions, such as restoration, rehabilitation and conservation of the unique and priceless estuarine ecosystems of the coastal regions. Due to the incessant efforts of the Forest Departments of Odisha in general and Mangrove Forest Division (WL), Rajnagar, Kendrapara in particular under the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project the rate of depletion has significantly decreased in the Mahanadi delta and Bhitarkanika National Park through large scale mangrove plantations. If these measures will be implemented in the Devi estuary then the depletion of the mangroves can be checked to a large extent. Taking these facts and the un-exploredness of the mangrove flora into account, this communication emphasizes on the floristic composition and conservation of the mangroves.