A LAND-WATER INTERFACE: COPDANET is engaged in conservation of the threatened ecosystem of the Andamans. Photo: Divya Ramamurthi 

       A Mangrove Resource Centre and Biological Garden has been set up in South Andaman to impart mangrove science to school children and the public. 

        The resource centre and garden are being set up by the Chennai-based NGO, Coastal Poor Development Action Network (COPDANET), with funding from Seacology, the Berkeley, California-based environmental organisation pursuing a motto of `Saving the world, one island at a time'. 

        The Centre will also launch a campaign to protect the fragile ecosystem of the mangrove, which are rainforests by the sea serving as a land-water interface. 

        COPDANET, which is engaged in conservation initiatives in the biologically rich Andaman and Nicobar string of islands, and Seacology have been actively involved in relief and rehabilitation work following last year's December 26 tsunami which submerged several of the archipelago's islands and endemic flora and fauna along with it.

        COPDANET and Seacology have already involved the south Andaman community in raising mangrove and other saplings in the forests, Felix Sugirtharaj, who was presented this year's Seacology Lifetime Achievement Prize last month at San Francisco in recognition of mangrove restoration in South Andamans, told a press meet.

        Mr. Sugirtharaj, who is honorary secretary of COPDANET, said locals participate in laying out nursery beds, collecting and planting of seeds and afforestation to replenish an ecosystem which was badly mauled by the tsunami.

        According to the environmental activist, eco conservation efforts should address poverty reduction and enhance community participation. It is important to note that conservation and development are not always in conflict as was often being made out to be. "Especially, in the case of mangrove restoration, there is often a direct relationship between improved conservation and poverty reduction and improved livelihoods."

        Mr. Sugirtharaj felt that poverty actually led to increased environmental degradation either because of low awareness among rural people or their plain lack of an alternative.

       P. Dayanandan, botany faculty, Madras Christian College (MCC), said beyond being an ecological issue, conservation was equally an issue of justice and equity to the marginalised sections of contemporary and future societies.

      Narasimhan, also of the same faculty, said as part of an MCC programme, a team of three students had done extensive research on the biodiversity of Andaman and Nicobar islands.