Wildlife

This post deals with the recommendations and outcomes of the recent workshop on "Mangrove Forest Ecology, Management and Restoration" held at Rajanagar (boundary of Bhitrakanika National park) on 26th-27th November 2008, organized by Action for Protection of Wild Animals (APOWA) and sponsored by Ministry of Environment and Forets, Govt of India. The workshop was attended by 101 participants from the community representatives, teachers and lecturers of coastal schools and colleges, NGOs, CBOs, PRIs, Govt authority, Scientists, researchers, media etc. Witnessing firsthand the rapid devastation of the Orissa's mangrove forest wetlands and their associated coastal ecosystems, the participants, resource persons were recommended to form a network to save the mangroves.

India is facing a water crisis in nearly all the sectors. Fortunately or unfortunately, measures taken by the related authorities to combat the crisis often depends on the amount of 'noise' made by the relevant stakeholders. It is no wonder then, that the urban India, and especially the rich and the powerful in urban India, seldom have to face problems related to water scarcity, water quality or the sheer inequity in distribution. On the other hand, weaker the stakeholder, more severe are his ( rather 'her') problems. Marginal farmers, tail enders in a canal network, rural and urban poor, especially children and women, stand testimony to this situation. We all agree to this, right?

Godavari delta, destruction of mangroves 

But aren't we forgetting the the weakest, and in some ways, the strongest, of all the stakeholders? How about the ecosystem of the river itself??