Jan 2009 edition - Indian Coast Guard

Jan 2009 Vol X Issue 1
in the environmentally sensitive areas of Gujarat coast.
Between the years 1960-1993, there has been a
reported decrease of 96 percent in the mangroves in
the areas near the Gulf of Khambhat. There has been
a corresponding decrease in the Gulf of Kutch area
where it was estimated that about 72.5 percent of
mangroves has been destroyed Several species of
mangroves has been lost irretrievably around these
areas.
those activities have been stopped. However the
damage is already done and there is a constant
decrease in the coral development in the areas. Added
to the physical destruction, the soft killing of coral
also takes place due to the discharge of industrial and
domestic waste in the surrounding sea areas and has
made the coral islands in the worst environmental
condition.
As a result of these, the abundance of fishes and other
marine species near the coral islands are diminishing
continuously and a consequence the fishermen are
not provided with the opportunity to harvest fish
around these areas and thereby causing sever
economical hardship to them.
(b) Loss of Mangroves
Mangroves provide a natural habitat for many fauna
At present Kori Creek and marine National Park are
the two locations in the State where Mangroves
cover 78% area. This has been achieved due to
efforts made by the environment NGOs and the
assistance provided by the Central Government.
Increasing Salinity of ground water
resources
To satisfy the need of water for domestic use and for
irrigation purpose there are many bore-well operated
around the areas and due to this operation of bore
wells the level of ground water has been decreased
considerably. The coast line starting from Bhavnagar to
Una, from Una to Madhavpur, from Madhavpur to
Maliya and from Maliya to Lakhpat, the problem of salinity
increase in the water bed resurces has affected the local
populace. In view of salinity increase, the 2/3 crop
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