Conservationists, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science’s (IISc) Energy and Wetlands Research Group, are advocating for the creation of an Aghanashini Wetland Conservation Authority to promote the sustainable use of natural resources at the Aghanashini estuary.
Situated in Kumta taluk of Uttara Kannada district, the Aghanashini estuary recently gained recognition as one of the five Ramsar sites in the region. Encompassing an area of 4,801 hectares, this estuary is a biodiversity hotspot, hosting a diverse array of flora and fauna, including over 80 fish species, 115 bird species, and 45 mangroves and mangrove-associated species. Moreover, it supports the livelihoods of 6,000–7,500 families residing in the vicinity.
The mangrove areas within the estuary play a crucial role in sequestering organic carbon, contributing significantly to climate change mitigation efforts.
Advocates argue that the establishment of an Aghanashini Wetland Conservation Authority would facilitate the implementation of site-specific management plans, ensuring the sustainable utilization of wetland resources. They stress the importance of including relevant stakeholders from the region and district in the authority’s composition to ensure effective decision-making.
Mangal Shetty, co-founder of the Panchabhuta Conservation Foundation, underscores the importance of co-management facilitated by such an institutional mechanism. He suggests the formation of a multi-stakeholder advisory body to oversee the drafting and implementation of conservation measures.
In addition to the IISc’s Energy and Wetlands Research Group and the Panchabhuta Conservation Foundation, other organizations involved in conservation efforts include Integrated Design, the Global Alliance for Sustainable Planets, and the World Wildlife Fund.
The call for the establishment of the Aghanashini Wetland Conservation Authority reflects a collective effort to safeguard the rich biodiversity and ecological integrity of the Aghanashini estuary for present and future generations.