On World Environment Day, experts warn that Gujarat's biological diversity may soon perish, if measures aren’t taken.
‘Phet’ may have moved off in a different direction, bringing Gujarat a sigh of relief. But, a decade or two from now, if a calamity of similar magnitude hits the state, we may not be as lucky. On the World Environment Day, it comes as alarming news that two pivotal elements of Gujarat's marine biodiversity, which lend the state its capacity to withstand disasters, may be wiped off if we are not careful enough. Scientists say that unless swift measures are taken, Gujarat's mangroves and corals may perish in a year or two.
"Marine biology in the state is at cross roads. The state is experiencing rapid coastal development, as most of its industries have focused on the coast. There are thermal plants and ports being developed. But the state also has 85% of the country's west coast mangrove cover, which needs protection and preservation," said GA Thivakaran, marine biology expert working with the Gujarat Institute of Desert Ecology (Guide).
"Similarly, heavy industrial development is taking shape in the Gulf of Kutch. But this Gulf has unique marine biological diversity, and we also have a Marine National Park located on the Jamnagar coast," he said.
The scientist said that unless stringent measures are taken, the corals and mangroves may be lost. "SPM, or Single Buoy Mooring, is used to transfer oil from the sea to the land depots. Huge quantities of oil spill from the SPM frequently. Oil has hydrocarbons, and such spillage is very dangerous for corals", he informed, adding that the impact of all these activities will be seen only after 10-15 years.
Thivakaran emphasised that a cumulative, holistic study is needed to ascertain the impact of industrial activities on biodiversity.
VC Soni, professor of the department of bioscience, Saurashtra University, said that Gujarat loses more kinds of natural habitat with every passing day. We have lost the Aquifer due to ground water pumping. Grass lands have been lost, and species like black bucks, chinkara have moved away due to a loss of grazing land, he said.
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