Bioshield protection for Gujarat's coast.

VADODARA: This 'shield' promises to protect vital installations on Gujarat's coastline be it those at Dahej in Bharuch or Hazira near Surat. The bio-shield project to provide adequate natural protection to vital industries and coastal areas from the sea is expected to take off as researchers of M S University (MSU) have submitted a report on action plan to mitigate impact of natural disasters like tsunami and cyclone on the coastline.

The work on this project sanctioned by the ministry of environment of Gujarat government and Coastal Zone Authority of Gujarat had started in 2012 when MSU researchers were requested to study and suggest sites where bio-shields can be developed on a priority basis.

It was first of its kind project, which a coastal zonal authority of a state had sanctioned.

After studying the 170-kilometre stretch between Dahej and Hazira, researchers have identified six sites in coastal region of Bharuch and Surat districts, which need a bio-shield protection on an urgent basis.

The researchers in their report titled 'Development of Bioshield for Coastal Central Gujarat' have mapped the six sites, which include two sites in Dahej special economic zone (SEZ), one site at Kanthiyajal village in Hansot taluka of Bharuch district; Pardi Zankhari village of Olpad taluka, Dandi village of Olpad taluka and Hazira village of Chorasi taluka in Surat district.

"These sites require plantation ranging from 40 to 140 hectare. A total of 381 hectare requires mangrove and non-mangrove plantation at these sites to protect the vital industries, human habitats and the aqua culture industries in the region," says former dean of MSU's Faculty of Science professor Nikhil Desai, the principal investigator of the project.

"We have a false sense of security that we are safe from natural calamities like tsunami and cyclones. Even a ten metre high wave can create havoc along the coastline and sea walls constructed to save these vital installations can't be of much help. Mangroves act as shock absorbers in the time of natural calamities like tsunami or cyclones," says Dr Dharmendra Shah, co-principal investigator of the project.

While the researchers have recommended Kanthiyajal, Pardi Zankhari and Dandi sites for protection to aqua culture industry and human habitation, the sites in Dahej and Hazira have been identified for the vital industries located near their coastline.

"Such plantation requires not more than Rs two crore to cover 381 hectare land area at these sites. The plantation can be completed within a year. The actual growth of bio-shield happens in a period of 8 to ten years," adds Shah.

The researchers have recommended direct and potted seedlings for mangrove plantation while they have suggested salvadora perisca, prosopis julifora and casuarina equisetifolia for non-mangrove plantation.

"The industrial development in Bharuch and Surat has got a further boost due to the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor which passes through the two districts. The last few years has seen an investment of over Rs 15,000 crore on the coast of these two districts. Thus increasing developmental activities along the coast have created an alarming situation for policy makers and they need to take some steps to protect the area from natural calamities," adds Desai.

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com