Preliminary Studies on Artificial Regeneration of Mangrove Forests in the Sundarbans, West Bengal

The paper deals with the prospect of raising mangrove plantation in the Sundarbans areas and related problems. The plantation works were initiated during the year 1982 by Social forestry Division of the Sundarbans Development Board as a component of the Sundarbans Development Project(Financed by International fund for Agricultural Development). These plantations covered foreshored of a number of major rivers in Gosaba, Mathurapur and Namkhana blocks. These plantations have been termeo 'experimental' because such attempts have never been made earlier on any appreciable scale and there is very little information about artificial regeneration of Mangrove species in these areas. Nevertheless, Mangroves hold high promise in these areas not only in the matter of improving the rural wood situation but also in controlling wind and wave induced erosion which are constantly threatening the safety of neighbouring agricultural lands. The preliminary studies reveal that a number of species such as Avicennia spp. Officinalis, A. Officinalis, A. marina, A. alba Bruguiera gymnorhiza (l) Lam. Rhizophora muctonata Lam and Ceriops tagal (Per) Rob. along with other associates viz. Sonneratia apetala Buch-Hum, Xylocorpus granatum K eonig, Xylocorpus mekongensis Pierre and Excoecaria agallocha (L) etc seem to respond favourably to artificial regeneration and have shown high potential for further extension both from technica1 and economic considerations. Average cost of creation of one hectare of plantation including the second year maintenance has been found to be Rs 4300/- (Rs. 3200 creation as first year's cost, Rs. 1100/- second year cost). The authors conclude that ultimate success of this programme however would depend more upon the level of popular participation and active assistance from the local Panchayets than mere technical perfection.