ECOLOGICAL COASTAL SYSTEM OF ODISHA

Presented By

AKHANDALAMANI MOHAPATRA

ECOLOGY

The scientific study of the processes influencing the distribution and abundance of organisms, the interactions among organisms, and the interactions between organisms and the transformation and flux of energy and matter.

COASTAL DISTRICT OF ODISHA

BALASORE BHADRAHK KENDRAPARA JAGATSINGHPUR PURI GANJAM

COASTAL ECOLOGY

MANGROVE

LIVELHOOD

WILDLIFE

MANGROVE FOREST

WILDLIFE

LIVELHOOD

MANGROVE• Mangroves are salt tolerant plant species

found in the intecoast, on the river mouth. They play a very significant role in protecting the hinterland against (i) cyclones and (ii) the ingress of sea water during tidal surge. Mangroves r-tidal regions along the creeks and estuaries near the stabilize coastal land mass against sea erosion. They are repositories of immense biological diversity and are also the nursery and breeding ground of several marine life forms, such as species of prawns, crabs, fishes and molluscs. Mangroves sustain the ecological security of the coastal areas as well as livelihood security of the thousand of fisherman and other who leave in these areas.

The mangroves all along the Odisha coast are threatened due to high densityof demand for land for agriculture and prawn farming. The mangrove belt in Kendrapada district called the Bhitarkanika mangrove forests, comprising areas between in the Dhamara mouth to Barunei on the coast, has been notified as Bhitarkanika Sanctuary (672 Sq.km.). Part of this area (145 Sq.km) is notifies National Park. This letter stretch of mangrove is the only area, which is relatively well preserved. Mangrove vegetation in Mahanadi delta region between Barunei mouth to Mahanadi mouth (Paradip) is fragmented and degraded due to large-scale encroachment of these areas. Further south, sparse mangrove vegetation occurs along the coast from Mahanadi mouth to Devi mouth. Degraded mangroves also occur to the north of Dhamara mouth up to Chudamani in Bhadrakh District coast, and also on Subarnarekha mouth in Balasore District.

IN ODISHA

DISTRICT WISE MANGROVE FORESTS COVER IN ODISHA

CONSERVATION HIGHLIGHTS

• A state level Steering Committee under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary for Conservation and Management of Mangroves and Coral reefs in Odisha has been constituted vide Forest and Environment Department Resolution No. 1022/F & E/ dated 12.1.2000.

• Mangroves of Bramhani -Baitarani delta in Kendrapada district have been declared as: (a) Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary in April 1975 covering an area of 672 Sq.km; (b) the core area of the sanctuary has been declared as Bhitarkanika National Park in September, 1998 covering an area of 145 Sq.km.

• Bordering the Bhitarkanika sanctuary/National Park, an area of 1435 Sq. km. (out of which 1408 Sq.km. is sea to a width of 20kms. form the coast) has been declared as Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife sanctuary in September, 1997. It covers two Reserve Forest Blocks of Mahanadi delta mangroves comprising 27 Sq.km.

• Creation of a Wildlife Division at Chandbali in 1980 which was later renamed as Mangrove Forest Division (Wildlife), Rajnagar, with jurisdiction over the entire coastal mangrove forests of Bhadrakh, Kendrapada, and Jagatsinghpur district. With affect from 1.10.2003, the mangrove forest of Kendrapada and Jagatsinghpur Districts have been constituted into Rajnagar Wildlife Division, while the mangrove areas of Bhadrakh and Puri Districts are now part of Bhadrakh and Puri.

• Bhitarkanika Sanctuary area has been designated as a 'RAMSAR SITE' (i.e., Wetland of International importance) during the 8th meeting of the contracting parties held at Valencia from 18-26th November 2002. In Odisha this is the 2nd wetland of International importance under Ramsar Convention and is one of the 19 such sites in the country.

• Mangroves of Bhitarkanika and Mahanadi delta have been considered as a single ecological unit and have been proposed to be designated as a Biosphere Reserve.

NATIONAL PARK AND WILD LIFE SANCTURIES

BHITARKANIKAGAHIRMATHACHILIKA LAKE

BHITARKANIKA CHILIKA

GAHIRMATHA

• In a bid to conserve the complex and fragile mangrove ecosystem and the endangered flora, fauna associated with it, Govt. of Odisha Vide notification No. 6958/FFAH dt. 22.4.1975 constituted the ex-zamindary forests of Kanika Raj which were declared as P.F. Vide notification No. 33233 dt. 04.10.1961 as a Sanctuary known as Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary. The area of the Sanctuary is 672 Sq. Kms.

• The deltaic region formed by the alluvial deposits of river Brahmani, Baitarani and Dhamara (Bhitarkanika) and the Mahanadi deltaic area, comprising of about 3000 Sq. Km. forms the proposed Bhitarkanika Biosphere Reserve. This deltaic region is a unique bioclimatic zone in a typical geographic situation in the coastal region of Bay of Bengal. It is located in the Kendrapara District of the State of Odisha.

BHITARKANIKA NATIONAL PARK

The proposed Bhitarkanika Biosphere

Reserve covers erstwhile Kanika and

Kujang Zamindari area. It includes at present three protected areas namely Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary,

Bhitarkanika National Park and the

Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary

• The resilient mangroves serve the protective functions to a greater extent. It protects the hinterland against cyclonic storms during cyclones, super cyclones, tidal surges and other natural catastrophes acting as an effective shelterbelt. In the unprecedented super cyclone of October 1999, the mangroves has withstood the onslaught of cyclonic wind and saved the life and property of millions of people.

• Mangrove wetlands perform a variety of productive as well as protective functions. This mangrove wetland in particular is a repository of biological diversity in terms of flora and fauna.

SPECIAL THINGS ABOUT BHITAR KANIKA

• This ecosystem harbours the largest number of saltwater crocodile population in the Indian sub-continent. Other reptilian fauna include Monitor lizard, Indian python, King cobra and varieties of other snake species. It also harbours a number of endangered animals like Fishing cat, Leopard cat, Dolphins and Porpoises.

• Bhitarkanika's famous Gahirmatha coast finds a prominent place in the turtle map of the world because of the distinction of having one of world's largest nesting and breeding congregation of Olive Ridley Sea turtles.

Biodiversity Richness Of Bhitarkanika

The area supports rich biodiversity including mangroves and mangrove associates (71 species), largest population of estuarine crocodiles (1358 as per 2004 census), the rare white crocodile (Sankhua), largest Indian lizards (water monitor), poisonous and non-poisonous snakes like king cobra and python, varieties of resident and migratory birds (217 species) and number of mammalian species (spotted deer, sambar, wild boar, fishing cat, jungle cat, otter etc.) In comparison to the national status, the composition of vertebrate fauna / species of Bhitarkanika project area represents 8% mammals, 17.70% birds, 9.40% reptiles and 2.5 % amphibians. The Gahirmatha sea beach, bordering the sanctuary attracts hundreds and thousands of Olive ridley sea turtles for mass nesting / egg laying (World's largest rookery) during the winter months (January to April).

Ecosystem Function:Mangrove areas support a range of interconnected food webs, which directly sustain the fisheries. Algae and detritus sustain shrimps and prawns, which provide a food source for species such as Bhekti (Lates sp.) Cat fishes etc. Fish and prawns spend most of their adult life at sea and return to the mangrove areas and vice versa to spawn. Some of the commercially important fishes are Ilisha, (Hilisa illisha), Khainga (Mullet sp.), Bhekti (Lates calcarifer), Kantia (Mustus gulia), Kokill (Anchovella sp.) etc. Prawns such as Penaeus indicus, tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon), Metapenaeus affinis and crabs, mainly the mud crabs (Scylla serrata) are exploited in large numbers by the fishermen both in the breeding and non-breeding seasons. Mud skippers, a typical fish reside around and in mangroves. These fishes are able to survive short periods of aerial exposure, skip around on the water and mud and build chimney like burrows.

SOME TREES

GAHIRMATHA (MARINE) WILDLIFE SANCTUARY● Declared in 1997, covers an area of 1,435 sq km (1,408 sq km water body and 27 sq km of land mass)● Core area of 725.50 sq km, where fishing is prohibited● Buffer area covers 709.5 sq km, where fishing is permitted using vessels with 10 HP motors only● WS extends 20 km into the territorial waters● Current boundaries● In the current year, 34 boats from one landing centre

● There are 908 fishing vessels (153 gillnetters, 345 motorized boats and 410 country craft).● Total marine fishing community population inKendrapara: 45,751 (Official estimates). Besides this,there are over 10,000 fishers in the allied sector.● According to official estimates, about 27,000 active fishers all over Orissa are affected by the turtle ban, 43%of whom are below the poverty line. Actual numbers likely to be higher. Maximum numbers affected are from Kendarapara District.● Kendarapara District does not have other options for livelihoods, as it depends on single crop agriculture

CHILIKA LAKEThe water spread of the lagoon varies between

1165 Sq.km in monsoon to 906 Sq.km during summer, and extends over Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts. The lagoon itself can be broadly divided in to four natural sectors based on salinity and depth: the southern zone, central zone, northern zone, and the outer channel.

Numerous islands are present in the lagoon, prominent among which are Kalijai, Honeymoon, Barakuda, Breakfast, Birds Island, etc

One of the submerged (potential) islands covering, an area of 15.53 Sq.km has been notified as Chilika (Nalaban) Wildlife Sanctuary on 17th December l987. The whole area of the Chilika Lake, excluding the area notified as Sanctuary has been declared as a 'Closed Area' for a period of five years with effect from 16th December 2002.

CHILIKA LAKE

Several islands are situated in this lagoon, inhabited by large human population (1.3 lakh approx.) variously dependent on this wetland for sustenance. A number of villages and towns around the lagoon are closely associated with the wetland, in one way or the other for economic activities. About 70% of this population depends on fishing as the means of livelihood

DRAINAGEThe ecosystem features of Chilika comprising of tidal ingress from the sea, which mixes with the fresh water brought by rivers like Daya, Bhargabi, Luna, and large number of rivulets.

HABITATION

DRAINAGE MAP OF CHILIKA

BIODIVERSITYThe Chilika Lagoon is hot spot of rich Biodiversity.

FLORAThere are 546 species of angiospermic plants belonging to 379 genera and 107 families, above 100 phytoplankton genera, 20 species of weed and 7 pteridophytic species documented so far in the Lagoon and the islands.

FAUNAChilika is very rich in both invertebrate and vertebrate fauna. This Ramsar site is the habitat for the largest congregation of waterfowls in India.

AVIFAUNAOver a million birds congregate in this water body for feeding and roosting. Migration commences in late September and the birds remain up to April, but the peak congregation period is mid-December to middle of January. Birds belonging to over 230 species including 14 birds of prey (32% aquatic, 22%waders, and 46% terrestrial birds) are seen in this lake, of which 95 species are intercontinental and local migrants. Flocks of migratory waterfowl arrive from as far as the Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, remote parts of Russia, central and south East Asia, Ladakh and the Himalayas for feeding and roosting. 15 species of ducks and two species of geese (Order: Anseriformes), cover over 70% of the migratory birds which visit this lagoon annually. The ducks and geese are followed by coots, rails and cranes (Gruiformes) 15%; waders/shore birds (Charadriformes) 12%; pelicans (Pelecaniformes) 1.5%; grebes (Podicipediformes) 1%; kites, eagles etc. (Falconiformes) and kingfishers (Coraciformes) 0.5%.

OTHER FAUNA The other vertebrate fauna includes: 321 species of fish and crab (fresh water, estuarine and marine

species), 7 species of amphibians, 30 species of reptiles (12 species of lizards and 18 species of

snakes) and 18 species of mammals. Two major crabs species (Scylla serreta and Neptunus pelagicus),

available in Chilika are of commercial importance. ENDANGERED SPECIES

Barkudia insularis, a limbless lizard/skink (this skink is named after the "Barukuda" island of the lake);

an aquatic mammal i.e., Irrawaddy dolphin, Orcaella brevirostris , Fishing cat( Felis viverrina), White bellied sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster), White spoon bill

(Platalea leucorodia), Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), and

COASTAL LIVELIHOOD

Fishery

Aquaculture

Toursim

The coastal communities in Orissa, largely work as agricultural labourers and are involved insmall to medium scale fishing in estuarine andmarine areas. Out of 480 km long coastline, nearly 180 km (~20 km of turtle sanctuary) is banned for fishing for 6 months in a year. Further, the 45-day fishing ban prevailingalong the east coast in the months of Apriland May is applicable to the coast of Odisha.

Fishery

Aquaculture

Toursim

Marine fisheries in Orissa is one of the most important resources, which contributesignificantly the sustenance of more than 0.5 million-fisherman populations living in 329fishing villages.

Fisheries Statistics of Odisha Coast

Prawn culture assumed great significance in late 1980s and early 1990s when brackish water prawn culture flourished for short- term economic gain. Along the entire coast of Odisha.

Tourism is an important sector and hasimmense potential for employmentgeneration and to stimulate growth in the economy. Orissa has three majorplaces of tourist attraction. The Sun Templeat Konark, Puri known for Hindu pilgrimage, the beaches at Gopalpur.

MAJOR SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL DRIVERS