Odisha losing its natural cover against cyclones!

Had the severe Cyclone Dana not made landfall in the mangrove-covered Bhitarkanika area under the Rajnagar block of Kendrapara district, the damages could have been severe.

The severe cyclonic storm made landfall on Habalikhati nature camp. Despite the uprooting of several huge trees due to the gusty wind, there was no significant damage in the area as the dense mangrove forest stood like the rock of Gibraltar to thwart the fury of the severe cyclone.

The mangrove cover helped protect the lives and properties from the cyclone’s impact. The development has once again demonstrated the vital role that mangrove forests play in shielding areas from natural disasters like cyclones. They served as a natural barrier against the gale-force wind of Cyclone Dana by reducing wind velocity and tidal surges in nearby coastal villages. 

As per reports, the dense mangrove forest reduced the wind speed of Cyclone Dana considerably from 100-120 kmph to 20-30 kmph near the place of landfall. The mangrove cover not only brought respite for Habalikhati but also saved the residents of Bagapatia and Paradip to a great extent.

According to the Odisha Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Susanta Nanda, the mangrove trees were so strong that, the severe cyclonic storm could not manage to uproot even one per cent of those trees near the place of landfall.

“The mangrove forests acted like a natural barrier against Cyclone Dana. The mangrove covers have also thwarted the velocity of cyclones in Odisha earlier. The residents of Rajnagar and Rajkanika were comparatively less affected in the 1999 Super Cyclone than the people of other areas due to the thick mangrove covers,” said Nanda.

“I request all the people and the voluntary organisations to conserve the mangrove forests in Odisha coast. New mangrove forests should also be created. Odisha is a cyclone prone State and only mangrove forests can act like natural barriers against the cyclones and save the State from its fury,” he added.

As per experts, the roots of mangrove trees get intertwined and act like a strong network. The system plays a great role in checking the effect of high tidal waves up to 70-90 per cent. Their deep root systems create a buffer zone that mitigates the impact of floods and storm surges. Mangroves are particularly effective during more violent storms.

 Though mangrove trees cannot be grown in every climate, the Odisha coast is suitable for the growth of mangrove trees. However, people are destroying the thick useful forests for aquaculture purposes, and due to lack of conservation activities. Environmentalists and wildlife experts have expressed their concerns over the development. 

“Cyclone Dana has taught us the lesson that mangrove covers can protect us from natural disasters. Now time has come to create awareness among people to conserve and create more mangrove forests,” said environmentalist Soumyaranjan Biswal.

“Mangrove forests act as a natural protection wall against cyclones. Its root system creates a strong network and prevents wind speed and wave speed up to 70-90 per cent. However, many mangrove forests have been converted for aquaculture activities which is a matter of concern,” said wildlife expert Dr Anup Nayak.