Mangrove withstood cyclone Amphan, saved Bhitarkanika national park

rich mangrove forest cover in Bhitarkanika National Park successfully withstood wind velocity as cyclone Amphan had barreled through coastal Odisha last fortnight, bringing in its wake trails of devastation, officials said. tropical cyclone had triggered dam in coastal parts, but it had spared Bhitarkanika National Park (BNP) and adjoining hamlets in Kendrapara district with lush-green luxuriant mangrove cover acting protective barrier to natures fury.

Almost a fortnight after cyclonic storm, national park authorities have come out with brighter and cheering tes - mangrove forest successfully withstood wind velocity of cyclone. Because of thick density of mangrove forest in Bhitarkanika, flora and fauna of park were unharmed due to cyclone, said Divisional Forest Officer, Rajnagar Mangrove (wildlife) Forest Division, Bikash Ranjan Dash.

vills on close periphery of national park were also saved as mangrove cover acted as a buffer zone in protecting human settlements, he said. It is because of mangroves that coastal region including national park could t be impacted by cyclone. In 1999 super cyclone, area was also saved as species bore onslaught of gusty wind. mangrove is a proven and time-tested natural barrier against tidal surge and cyclones in se parts.

People in se parts have also realized immense utility value of mangrove forest and are lending a helping hand to forest department in conservation of this tidal woodland. Mangrove forests with its intricate root system stabilize coastline, reducing erosion from storm surges, currents, waves, and tides, official said.

Bhitarakanika is one of richest storehouses of mangrove genes. Researchers have come across 11 of 70 mangrove species, which were at elevated threat of extinction in world, in Bhitarakanika. Mangroves are regarded as natural barriers against tidal surge and cyclones. Because of its rich mangrove cover, cyclonic storms from time to time have failed to make inroads into wetland sites, he said.

Odisha with a mangrove forest area of 231 square kilometre with a major chunk of being in Bhitarkanika stands second only to Sunderbans in West Bengal. Besides Bhitarkanika in Kendrapara, districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur and Puri are also home to mangrove, orwise kwn as coastal woodland, said ar official. Around 82 square km area in Bhitarkanika is densely mangrove-infested while 95 square km area is having moderate mangrove forest. 54 square km patches are sparsely covered under Mangrove forest, he said.

"October 29-30, 1999-super cyclone had devastated large areas. However, our vill was saved from natures fury as standing mangroves trees acted as bio-shield. Since n, locals realized that mangrove is lifeline for people living here. Locals here religiously adhere to policy of protecting forest", recalled Pradeep Das, a resident of Dangamal vill lying on close periphery of Bhitarkanika National Park.

mangrove forest considerably reduced wind velocity during 1999 super cyclone. It did so during cyclone Amphan that rolled past Odisha coast, he said. 

(Im Credits: AP)