Pichavaram Mangrove Forest

Pichavaram Mangrove Forest Latest News

A recent study of the Pichavaram mangrove ecosystem estimated its Total Economic Value (TEV) at ₹2,485.38 crore ($289 million), with a per-hectare value of ₹1.83 crore, reflecting the ecological, economic and social benefits it provides.

About Pichavaram Mangrove Forest

• It is located near Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu. 
• These mangroves are the second largest mangroves in the world after Sundarbans. 
• The forest is spread over 1,100 hectares and joins the Bay of Bengal, where it’s separated by a lengthy sand bank.  
• It lies between two important estuaries: the Vellar estuary to the north and the Coleroon estuary to the south. 
• This mangrove ecosystem is part of the Vellar-Coleroon complex, which shapes the Killai backwater and Pichavaram mangroves.  
• The Pichavaram forest spans across various habitats, including channels, creeks, gullies, mud flats, and sand flats. 
• Apparently, the forest has more than 50 islands of various sizes and 4,400 big and small canals. 
• The trees grow in water that’s 3 to 10 feet deep in different places.  
• It provides a home to more than 200 species of birds. Some of the bird species commonly spotted here include Snipes, Egrets, Cormorants, Storks, Herons, Spoonbills, and Pelicans. 
• Also, you can spot various marine life such as seaweed, fish, prawns, crabs, and oysters, as well as turtles and otters in this diverse ecosystem. 
• It was designated a Ramsar Site in 2022.

News: TH

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