Bio-shield in place in coastal belt against the waves

This was one of the projects of the Social Forestry Department implemented with people’s support.

KOCHI: A mission for greening the coastal belt and creating a bio-shield against invading waves has been completed by the Social Forestry Wing of the Forest Department.

Though the project may sound attractive, it was not an easy task for the department to implement it, given the weather conditions and the socio-economic specialities of the coastal belt.

During the project that concluded recently, a green cover of 15 hectares was developed in Ernakulam district, said Siddappa, Chief Conservator of Forests (Social Forestry), Ernakulam region. The Forest Department was mostly in the role of facilitator for the project. It also supplied saplings of casuarinas for planting and supported the Theera Vana Samrakshana Samithies in planting them. Mangroves were also planted in some places.

It is estimated that around 1.5 lakh saplings were planted in the district alone.

This was one of the projects of the Social Forestry Department that was implemented with people’s support. One member each from the houses in the coastal belt was part of the samithi which implemented the project.

As the department has completed its responsibility regarding the project, now it is the turn of the local panchayats to take it further. Though the ownership of the Theera Vanam will be with the samithis, the local panchayats can plan the future course of action, Mr. Siddappa said.

Meanwhile, the uneven showers that the State has been receiving these days have slowed down the greening programmes that are being organised by the department. Once the rain picks up, the greening programme aimed at various social segments will gather momentum.