IODIVE B RS A IT K Y A T B A O N A R R D A K PROCEEDING OF THE WORKSHOP ON COASTAL BIODIVERSITY WITH REFERENCE TO COASTAL MANAGEMENT ZONE Organized by: Uttara Kannada Jilla Vijnaana Kendra, Karwar Sponsored by: KARNATAKA BIODIVERSITY BOARD, Ground Floor, ‘Vanavikas’ building, Malleshwaram 18th cross, Bangalore-560 003. Ph : 080- 23448783, Fax : 080-23440535 E-mail :
[email protected] Website : www.kbbindia.org June-2009 1 FOREWORD By Dr.R.C.Prajapathi, I.F.S. Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Member Secretary, Karnataka Biodiversity Board, Bangalore Mangrove, formation is a tropical phenomenon confined to tropical coastal areas, and some times extend to sub-tropical or slightly beyond that also. The Karnataka part of the Malabar Coasts extends, 320 km and the width ranges from 8 to 25 km towards the inland areas. The West Coast of India in general and the Karnataka coast in particular have no delta worthy of attention. The Sea board of the Karnataka coast possesses headlands, bays, lagoons at irregular intervals. The sea board presents long beaches often intercepted by lateritic rocky headlands, coast parallel estuarine rivers and innumerable lagoons and backwater systems of limited length. The area is intersected by many coast parallel rivers and streams and presents varied and most picturesque scenery. Coastal land form and waters are a very dynamic ecosystem and an extremely valuable natural resource. In fact, they are the ‘critical areas’ and need all attention. The mangroves are highly productive components of the food web of coastal water and estuaries.