AcknoknowledgmentWe are grateful to Prof. M.S. Swam<strong>in</strong>athan, Chairman,M.S. Swam<strong>in</strong>athan Research Foundation for his encouragement andguidance. We thank Dr. M. Velayuthum, Executive Director, MSSRF,for his guidance and Dr. V. Selvam, Programme Director, MSSRFfor his critical comments and suggestions.We are thankful to Shri. S. K. Das, IFS, Pr<strong>in</strong>cipal ChiefConservator of <strong>Forest</strong>s, Shri. K. Subba Rao, IFS andShri. S. D. Mukherjee IFS, former Pr<strong>in</strong>cipal Chief Conservators of<strong>Forest</strong>s, Shri. T. Ramakrishna, IFS, Shri. Hitesh Malhotra, IFS,Additional Pr<strong>in</strong>cipal Chief Conservator of <strong>Forest</strong>s, Shri. A.V. Joseph,IFS, Chief Conservator of <strong>Forest</strong>s, Shri. Ramesh Kalghatgi, IFS,Shri. J.V.K.T. Prabakar Rao, IFS, Shri. Manoranjan Bhanja, IFS,Conservators of <strong>Forest</strong>s, <strong>Andhra</strong> <strong>Pradesh</strong> for their support <strong>in</strong>implement<strong>in</strong>g the project. We thank Shri. N. Varaprasada Rao,Shri. Thatha Rao, Shri. K. Ravi Kumar, Shri. K. Prakasha Rao, DeputyConservators of <strong>Forest</strong>s, Shri. N. Bhujanga Rao, Shri. C.V.V.Satyanarayana, Shri. M. V. Satyanarayana Murthy, Shri. MallikarjunaRao, <strong>Forest</strong> Range officers and the staff of Cor<strong>in</strong>ga and KrishnaWildlife Sanctuaries, <strong>Andhra</strong> <strong>Pradesh</strong> for their help dur<strong>in</strong>g themangrove restoration work from 1996 to 2003.We acknowledge the contributions of Dr. D. Sridhar andShri. D. Ramakrishna <strong>in</strong> the restoration and hydrological studiesrespectively.We thank Dr. Ujwal Chaudary and Dr. Jaya Chatterji of <strong>India</strong>Canada Environment Facility (ICEF), New Delhi, for their support<strong>in</strong> mak<strong>in</strong>g this work possible.We extend our thanks to the members of the EDC and VSScommittees of Godavari and Krishna mangroves for theirparticipation and <strong>in</strong>volvement <strong>in</strong> the restoration. We thankShri. R. Satyanarayana, AFBO and Mr. D. Sr<strong>in</strong>u, for their help andassistance <strong>in</strong> the fieldwork and the boat drivers Shri. Satyam andM. Sr<strong>in</strong>u.iv
Contents1. <strong>Mangrove</strong> forests - an overview - 12. <strong>Mangrove</strong> forests <strong>in</strong> <strong>Andhra</strong> <strong>Pradesh</strong> - 32.1 River<strong>in</strong>e systems <strong>in</strong> <strong>Andhra</strong> <strong>Pradesh</strong> - 53. Causes of degradation - 73.1. Past management practices - 73.2. Hydrological and geomorphological causes - 83.3. Anthropogenic causes - 94. <strong>Restoration</strong> methods - 104.1. <strong>Restoration</strong> of degraded mangroves <strong>in</strong> the past - 104.2. Methodology for restoration of degradedmangroves at present - 114.2.1. Geomorphology and hydrology <strong>in</strong>mangrove restoration - 134.2.2. Hydrological studies <strong>in</strong> Godavari - 154.2.3. Hydrological studies <strong>in</strong> Krishna - 164.2.4. Dimensions of canals - 174.2.5. Selection of species and plant<strong>in</strong>g - 184.2.6. Desilt<strong>in</strong>g of canals and casualty replacement - 194.3. <strong>Mangrove</strong> area restored - 195. Impact of mangrove restoration - 205.1. Cost of the restoration activity and long-termbenefits - 225.2. How the restoration work has improved thesocio-economic condition of Bhairavalanka village <strong>in</strong>Godavari mangroves - 24References - 25v