Mangrove Forest Restoration in Andhra Pradesh, India - Global ...

M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation0.60-0.75m.3.0 m.1.25 m.0.2-2.5m.0.2-2.5m.2.0 m. 2.0 m.0.4 m.12.5 m0.4 m.Distance between two side canalsPlanted mangrove sapling0.45-0.6m.0Fig. 2. Cross section of canals with dimensionsare formed due to the deposition of silt during floods. Secondly, asshown in chart-1, the soil subsided in the clear felled area due tochanges in bulk density, making the topography saucer-shaped. As aresult, tidal water entering in during the highest of the high tidesstagnates in the saucer shaped area due to the elevation of the edges.The temperature and the salinity of the stagnant water increases andshoots up to 114 ppt during summer. This phenomenon preventsnatural regeneration of the mangroves and thus enhances the processof degradation. The area gets flooded only during the monsoon periodand cyclones and storms-Figs. 3 and 4.Restoration of the mangroves can be done only when the salinityof the degraded area is brought down. In order to reduce the salinity,fishbone type canals were dug and tidal flushing and draining ofstagnant water was facilitated. This has resulted in brining the salinitylevels to 60 ppt in summer to fresh water level during monsoonseasons. After a buffer period of three months, the nursery-raisedmangrove saplings were planted along the trapezoid shaped canalsin the degraded areas.14