For the first time, these new varieties have come to notice in the state.
As many as seven new species of mangrove have been found in Gujarat. While all these species are new to the state, some of them are rare even in India. In all there are 10 species of mangrove now known to Gujarat.
According to state forest and environment department officials, these include - Avicennia marina, Avicennia officinalis, Ceriops tagal, Bruguiera cylindrical, Ceriops decandra, Excoaecaria agallocha, Acanthus illicifolius, Rhizophora mucronata, Sonneratia apetala, Aegiceras corniculatum. Except for the first three, rest have been newly reported to be found in the coastal state.
SK Nanda, principal secretary, forest and environment department, most
of the newly reported species of mangrove, have been found outside the
notified forest areas.
“The new species had not come to their notice so far. These places would now
be developed as 'biodiversity hotspots', said Nanda.
The new species have been reported from various districts. Bharuch has some of these varieties spread over 4,000-5,000 hectare of area, Khambatt area in Anand has 2,000 hectare, Surat up to 3,000 hectare and some places in Valsad and Navsari,
as per member secretary of Gujarat
Ecology Commission (GEC), E Balaguruswamy. Some of these area may soon
be notified but rest is on revenue land, so may take more time.
Meanwhile, minister for forest and environment Mangu Patel on Wednesday launched the website of GEC - gec.gov.in - which is claimed to unique. It provides information in geographical form with the help of maps. The portal, according to the minister has data from all studies conducted by GEC.
As many as 90% mangroves of the state are found in Kutch. Besides Kutch, mangroves are also found in the channel of Umargaam near Nargol. Mangroves protect the sea coast from the adverse effect of global warming. People of Kutch and South Gujarat coast also use mangroves to make herbal medicines and eatable items. Many species of birds make their nests on mangroves.
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