Status of mangroves along the countries bordering the Arabian Sea
Abstract
Distribution of mangroves in the countries bordering the Arabian Sea, including Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf, Gulf of Aden and Red Sea, is reviewed and their present status is discussed. The estimated area of mangrove vegetation is 1140 sq. km for West Coast of India, 2494 sq. km for Pakistan, 30 sq. km for United Arab Emirates and 400 sq. km for Red Sea. There are total 17 genera and 34 exclusive mangrove species, among these the dominant species are Rhizophora mucronata, Avicennia marina, A. officinalis, Sonneratia alba, Lumnitzera racemosa, etc. Historical account indicates that about 2000 years back, there were dense mangroves in Persian Gulf, however, due to extreme climatological conditions and over-exploitation for the fodder and firewood, the vegetation has been reduced completely. Deforestation and reclamation of mangrove forests for agriculture, construction purposes, urban development and industrialization are mainly responsible for its degradation
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