File picture of mangroves in Bhitarkanika wildlife sanctuary

Paradip, June 19: The state forest department has started working to regenerate mangroves in denuded areas in the Bhitarkanika wildlife sanctuary and Mahanadi deltaic region.

The regeneration of the mangrove species, which act as natural barrier against tidal surge, is being undertaken as a part of the World Bank-funded integrated coastal zone management programme.

Forest authorities have drawn up a plan to undertake a massive plantation drive here in the monsoon months to help the sea and river erosion-prone wetland regenerate its lost patch of greeneries.

Sixty-five acres of marshy wetland at Junupur, Goja, Debendranarayanpur and Chitrakhola within the limits of Bhitarkanika, which are known for regular ingression of tidal water, have been earmarked for the project.

A similar plan is under way for about 200 hectares at Mahinsidiha, Hetamundia, Sanatubi and Badatubi villages in Mahanadi deltaic region.

Funds from the National Mangrove Action Plan will also be put to use for the purpose, said divisional forest officer of the Rajnagar Mangrove (wildlife) forest division Manoj Kumar Mahapatra.

The forest division has also drawn up a plan for raising mangrove along the erosion-prone coastal territory.

“We are trying to regenerate mangrove cover that acts as natural barrier against tidal surge. Our focus is to regenerate mangrove along the Satabhaya-Pentha-Brunei shoreline,” said Mahapatra.