Mangalore. All over Asia. fishing is an important activity as it provides a significant proportion of the protein intake of local people. Until recently this has been compatible with the preservation of biodiversity and integrity of the ecosystems. In recent years. however, traditional fishing methods have been replaced with modern commercial fishing techniques, "plis has often led to severe over-exploitation. Habitat degradation, pollution and eutrophication have further contributed to the depletion of commercial fish stocks and the virtual collapse of coastal fishery in some areas. In contrast to what many decision-makers believe, fish farming and shrimp farming is not a panacea for economic development of coastal lagoon and mangrove systems. The large-scale conversion of mangroves into shrimp ponds has been particularly damaging to many coastal ecosystems. Hot all coastal lagoons and mangroves are by any means favourable for intensive aquaculture: many are best used as extensive farming - that is. traditional fisheries. Despite their many values, mangrove ecosystems are amongst the most severely threatened zones in India. The most serious threats are. over-exploitation for timber and firewood, timber and charcoal, reclamation for agriculture. industry and human settlement, conversion to aquaculture ponds. pollution from industrial and domestic effluent as well as pesticides runoff of agriculture. The state of Karnataka has a 270 km long coastline falling within its revenue districts of Udipi. Uttara and Dakshina Kannada and a total Exclusive Economic Zone (FEZ) of 8700 km*. The entire area comprising of EEZ. shoreline vegetation and backwaters is very rich in biological diversity. A well watered but short hinterland beginning from the top of the Western Ghat complex provides all the ingredients to support the downstream coastal ecosystem. Twelve major west flowing rivers systems meander through lowland forests, secondary woodlands and gently undulating plains and spread out into wide estuaries, lagoons and backwaters, extensive mudflats and several small patches of mangrove forests. These have resulted in a series of small estuarine systems along the 300 km long coastline. Most of these estuaries and creeks are narrow and permanently open to sea. The area has a variety of fauna and flora in habitats ranging from tropical montane forests of Western Ghats to coastal mangroves. The region is well represented by land mammals, birds reptiles and other vertebrates and invertebrates. Both the shoreline and offshore areas have their own variety of rich biodiversi ty.
- 2 -Rapid industrialisation, steady growth of human population and the resultant demand for food & shelter and the changes in land use patterns have placed considerable stress on natural resources and ecosystem of the area. Hitherto pristine coastal zone along the Udipi. Uttara and Dakshina Kannada districts will be subjected to rapid developmental activities due to increase accessibility from the national Highway and the Konkan Railway. The next decade will find the area under constant influence of developmental activities, and some of the critical and fragile coastal systems will be under heavy pressure. The threat to marine/estuarine systems in India in general, and Karnataka in particular, is so severe that urgent action is needed at all levels to contain this trend. Establishment of an Coastal Biosphere Command Area(CBCA) in Coastal Karnataka will be most appropriate under the prevailing conditions. Management and protection of threatened species and critical habitats in a region which is under multi-sectoral and multi-dimensional influences is a difficult task. Unlike in the homogenous sites such as Forests, where it is easier to manage the system through establishment of Sanctuaries. Reserves and National Parks under a legal framework and under a single authority, handling of the complex Coastal zone where human settlements, multi-agency operations in industry, agriculture and economic exploitation is being carried out from historical times, needs a different approach. Historical, socio-economic and commercial considerations will have to be accommodated along with the need for conservation of habitats, species and vital resources.
It will be possible to address the problems and at the same time institute adequate and proper conservation efforts through the establishment of Coastal Biosphere Command Area. The principles and objectives of Biosphere Reserve management could be adapted. modified and evolved from the accepted criteria and making it to suit the local area needs.
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Mangalore. All over Asia. fishing is an important activity as it provides a significant proportion of the protein intake of local people. Until recently this has been compatible with the preservation of biodiversity and integrity of the ecosystems. In recent years. however, traditional fishing methods have been replaced with modern commercial fishing techniques, "plis has often led to severe over-exploitation. Habitat degradation, pollution and eutrophication have further contributed to the depletion of commercial fish stocks and the virtual collapse of coastal fishery in some areas. In contrast to what many decision-makers believe, fish farming and shrimp farming is not a panacea for economic development of coastal lagoon and mangrove systems. The large-scale conversion of mangroves into shrimp ponds has been particularly damaging to many coastal ecosystems. Hot all coastal lagoons and mangroves are by any means favourable for intensive aquaculture: many are best used as extensive farming - that is. traditional fisheries. Despite their many values, mangrove ecosystems are amongst the most severely threatened zones in India. The most serious threats are. over-exploitation for timber and firewood, timber and charcoal, reclamation for agriculture. industry and human settlement, conversion to aquaculture ponds. pollution from industrial and domestic effluent as well as pesticides runoff of agriculture. The state of Karnataka has a 270 km long coastline falling within its revenue districts of Udipi. Uttara and Dakshina Kannada and a total Exclusive Economic Zone (FEZ) of 8700 km*. The entire area comprising of EEZ. shoreline vegetation and backwaters is very rich in biological diversity. A well watered but short hinterland beginning from the top of the Western Ghat complex provides all the ingredients to support the downstream coastal ecosystem. Twelve major west flowing rivers systems meander through lowland forests, secondary woodlands and gently undulating plains and spread out into wide estuaries, lagoons and backwaters, extensive mudflats and several small patches of mangrove forests. These have resulted in a series of small estuarine systems along the 300 km long coastline. Most of these estuaries and creeks are narrow and permanently open to sea. The area has a variety of fauna and flora in habitats ranging from tropical montane forests of Western Ghats to coastal mangroves. The region is well represented by land mammals, birds reptiles and other vertebrates and invertebrates. Both the shoreline and offshore areas have their own variety of rich biodiversi ty.
- 2 -Rapid industrialisation, steady growth of human population and the resultant demand for food & shelter and the changes in land use patterns have placed considerable stress on natural resources and ecosystem of the area. Hitherto pristine coastal zone along the Udipi. Uttara and Dakshina Kannada districts will be subjected to rapid developmental activities due to increase accessibility from the national Highway and the Konkan Railway. The next decade will find the area under constant influence of developmental activities, and some of the critical and fragile coastal systems will be under heavy pressure. The threat to marine/estuarine systems in India in general, and Karnataka in particular, is so severe that urgent action is needed at all levels to contain this trend. Establishment of an Coastal Biosphere Command Area(CBCA) in Coastal Karnataka will be most appropriate under the prevailing conditions. Management and protection of threatened species and critical habitats in a region which is under multi-sectoral and multi-dimensional influences is a difficult task. Unlike in the homogenous sites such as Forests, where it is easier to manage the system through establishment of Sanctuaries. Reserves and National Parks under a legal framework and under a single authority, handling of the complex Coastal zone where human settlements, multi-agency operations in industry, agriculture and economic exploitation is being carried out from historical times, needs a different approach. Historical, socio-economic and commercial considerations will have to be accommodated along with the need for conservation of habitats, species and vital resources.
It will be possible to address the problems and at the same time institute adequate and proper conservation efforts through the establishment of Coastal Biosphere Command Area. The principles and objectives of Biosphere Reserve management could be adapted. modified and evolved from the accepted criteria and making it to suit the local area needs.
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