Mangrove mission

Last year when cyclone Sidr hit Bangladesh, the areas close to the Sundarban mangrove forest were less affected compared to the devastation in other areas. The forest in some way acted as a shield and that is just one of the benefits of mangrove trees.

In Dubai, prior to 1993, there was not a single mangrove tree in Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, but should you go there today you will see what a fantastic mangrove forest the Dubai Municipality has developed there.

In 1993, the civic body planted several thousand saplings of dwarf or white mangrove plants and some specimens of Asiatic mangrove.

The latter died out but the dwarf mangrove flourished and has got such a good foothold that the Municipality should now think of thinning the forest.

At the onset of this plantation there was an unfounded opposition to its creation and the opponents said it would decrease the number of Greater Flamingos coming to the sanctuary.

I was the lone supporter of the plantation plan. But I am glad the Municipality went ahead with its programme and gave us a mangrove forest as a natural gift.

Now, nearly 200 species of birds, some numbering over 10,000, pass through this forest.

Hats off to the Municipality for its environment-friendly gesture and I hope it will continue its greening campaign.