India’s Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve recently made international headlines after its Director, 2017 batch Indian Forest Service officer, Mr. Jagdish Bakan, was declared the winner of UNESCO’s Michael Batisse Award 2023. He was given the prestigious award in Paris on 14 June after he presented his case study on ‘development of sustainable livelihood and community based biodiversity conservation and environment protection’.
However, the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve drew attention of conservationists long before the initiation of the Man and Biosphere (MAB) programme by UNESCO in 1971. It was considered as a ‘Biologists’ Paradise’ with over 4223 species of flora and fauna thriving in its ecosystems.
In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Jagdish Bakan gave details of his initiatives that made the UN award possible, making the world sit up and take notice of successful biosphere conservation in India.
ON RECEIVING THE UNESCO AWARD
It is indeed a proud moment for Director of Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Mr. Jagdish Bakan and his team to receive international recognition. The award has encouraged all involved in the Biosphere conservation to work harder and aim higher.
Mr. Bakan said, “It has especially encouraged the community based organizations such as the Eco Development Committees and motivated the community members and fishermen involved in wildife rescue. It has also motivated our frontline staff who are working tirelessly for environment and biodiversity conservation. It has showcased our good practices at a global level and encouraged us to learn from other successful international practices.”
Did he expect the award? “We were hopeful but not sure as there was international competition. There are 738 biosphere reserves in the world.”
WHAT MAKES THE BIOSPHERE UNIQUE
To know why Mr. Bakan was selected from among many international contenders, we have to first know why the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve in Tamil Nadu is unique. Over 4223 species of flora and fauna thrive in its ecosystems that covers a total area of 10,500 km, that includes 21 islands and adjoining coral reefs, along with a surrounding seascape and a 10 km strip of coastal landscape.
Explaining the Reserve’s usefulness in the light of climate change and disaster mitigation, Mr. Bakan said, “The marine biosphere reserve is home to important ecosystems such as coral, sea grasses, mudflats, marshes and mangrove. These systems are very important for carbon sinks. Besides being breeding grounds for fish, these systems also act as bio shield for natural disasters like cyclone, tsunami, etc.”
DEVELOPING ALTERNATIVE LIVELIHOODS
However, rapid increase in population and the huge unsustainable pressure on the resources threw up many challenges before the biosphere administration. Mr. Bakan said, “There are 225 fishing communities with roughly two lakhs residents. About 70% of the population earn money only from fishing. The lack of awareness among the fishermen community about the need to conserve the resources and sustain it for the future generation was a big concern.”
Since indigenous peoples have legal access to marine resources, in order to decrease the pressure on biodiversity, 252 Village Marine Conservation Committees or Eco-development Committees were formed to generate alternative livelihoods on sustainable basis. A micro-credit programme to provide small amounts of capital to fund such livelihoods was also introduced.
Around 55 types of alternative livelihood options were provided to improve the standard of living. In last one year (2022-23), 370 women were provided with livelihood training for activities such as embroidery, sanitary napkin making, etc.
HABITAT RESTORATION
For food security of the coastal people, as well as the nurseries and fishing grounds for artisanal fisheries, the Gulf of Mannar’s important coastal habitats such as coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves are essential. Hence, such degraded habitat restoration aids in restoring the ecological processes.
It was here that the successful rehabilitation efforts for coral in India were first started. The local community is effectively engaged in coral rehabilitation and mangrove afforestation. With their involvement, 70 Ha of mangrove plantation was successfully developed in degraded areas between 2022-2023. Also, 600 sq.m of coral reef were restored through transplantation, 1000 sq.m of 248000 native trees were successfully planted, and 185 Ha of Prosopis Julilfora were successfully removed from mangrove forest and reserved forest during the same period.
As of now, 10 lakh native trees are being raised in nurseries for planting in the upcoming season.
WILDLIFE RESCUE INCENTIVES
There is a high demand for endangered species like sea cucumber, sea turtle, sea cow, and sea horse in the international market, especially China, Japan and other South- East Asian countries. Also in demand are ornamental marine organisms and products for aquarium and interior decoration, leading to increased smuggling.
The local community is being involved in rescue and release of marine endangered animals, especially turtles, dugongs, dolphins, etc. “They are appreciated for marine wildlife rescue and release and provided with reward of cash and certificate. In last one year, 102 marine wildlife were rescued successfully and 37 indigenous people were rewarded and provided certification through district officials. This is the highest rescue in any coastal districts in India,” Mr. Bakan said.
PROTECTING ENDANGERED MARINE SPECIES
A total of 109 wildlife crimes were detected in last 12 months with integrated patrolling and 11920 kg of wildlife articles seized. “For the first time in the history of biosphere management, a habitual offender was booked under Goondas Act (special act for tacking serious crimes). This has helped in creating deterrence among habitual offenders,” Mr. Bakan said.
INNOVATIVE WAYS TO TACKLE PLASTIC
Around one crore visitors visit the Biosphere every year. This generates tremendous plastic waste and the plastic enters the marine ecosystem and ultimately micro and nano plastic enter the human food chain through the ocean. To check this, Eco Development Committee (EDC) involving indigenous people has been given the task of checking plastic in tourist vehicles.
Plastic watchers from among local youth have been deployed and an environment fee of INR 20 is charged from each vehicle. This fee is used to hire local self help group women for cleaning the area. The tourists are provided with environment friendly cloth bags, which are again stitched by the local women and is a source of livelihood to them.
Mr. Bakan said, “After collection, the plastic is segregated, shredded and sold for road construction. Road building contractor has to pay INR 10 per kg of shredded plastic to the eco development committee. In last 9 months, 1.5 tonnes of plastic was recycled for constructing 11 km of road. And, from June 2022, when the plastic check post was started, till June 2023, 39.49 tonnes of plastic waste was collected and prevented from entering into the biosphere reserve.”
Also, eco-education programme for students using a special van and engaging them in turtle egg gathering, hatchling release, and turtle walks, were organised. To educate them further, climate talks were also organised in collaboration with Community Radio.
FUTURE PLANS
These, then, are the successful initiatives undertaken by Mr. Jagdish Bakan in the last one year, for which he has received international recognition and the 2023 Michael Batisse Award.
But, what now? Outlining the challenges ahead, the officer said that habitat destruction, such as coral reefs, sea grasses, mangroves, is the most serious problem for the long-term viability of the Reserve. Sea grass beds are harmed by inappropriate bottom trawling practices, and destructive and over fishing.
To mitigate such problems, Mr. Bakan already has his plans laid out. “In the next five years, we will strive to improve the habitat by eco-restoration and will continue to involve community in wildlife conservation and environment protection. At the same time, we will try to generate more green jobs for the local communities and improve our ecotourism facilities,” he revealed.
