A day in the second largest Mangrove forest of India, Pichavaram
Located about 12kms from Chidambaram, on the backwaters of Vellar and Coleroon river , these mangrove forest of Pichavaram covering 1100 kms is the second largest mangroves in the world after Sunderbans.
Being near my hometown, I have heard stories of these mangrove forests since childhood and have been wanting to visit this place for many a years.
When we had to drop the plan of Kerala at the last moment, we decided to explore the places near our hometown. That’s how Pichavaram happened.
Mangroves
Mangrove trees are about ten feet in height with the roots going deep into the water. Being a very good oxygen source as well as a major carbon sink, they form an integral part in ecosystem.
This mangrove forest can be explored either through row boat or motor boat. I personally prefer row boats as it is not only ecofriendly to ride through the sensitive mangrove ecosystem but also takes you through the smaller canals.
The boating activities are operated by The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation and Tamil Nadu Forest Department.
Guardian of the coast
Mangroves are rightly called as the guardian of the coast, as they safeguard the coastal ecosystem by preventing erosion.
Even during Tsunami 2004, it is said that the mangroves of Pichavaram blunted the fury of Tsunami by its tangled roots.
As our boat entered the denser section of mangroves, sunlight seeping through the canopy of mangroves was a pleasant sight to marvel at.
Shrimps culture and its impact
While sinking in the surreal experience of sailing through the calm waters of mangroves, the boat man mentioned “Unethical Shrimp culturing in the nearby areas have been a serious threat to the mangroves of Pichavaram”.
He also added “Besides drawing water from the canals, chemicals used for shrimp culturing are also drained back into the brackish water seriously affecting mangrove ecosystem. The local villagers around Pichavaram are constantly protesting against it but sadly resulting in vain.”
Tourism and its impact
While we can’t do much about shrimp culturing, our conscious effort in travelling responsibly in eco sensitive areas like Pichavaram will go a long way in protecting the environment.
Tourism can also be a curse, as we all know. Pollution from tourist motorboats have been an another threat to this sensitive ecosystem and also large influxes of tourists strain the waste management system in this area.
So my humble request to the tourist visiting Pichavaram is to be environmentally sensitive and also to opt for canoe boats instead of motor boats.
Do you know that the canoe boats are way cheaper than motor boats too!
While sailing amidst the mangroves of Pichavaram, listening to the stories of the boat man, I was mind blown by the knowledge, the boat man had possessed.
Be it the beauty of Mangroves or the importance of its existence in natural ecosystem or the meaningful interaction with boat man, it was such a prodigious experience.
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Tips
Boat Timing : 8 AM to 5 PM
It is better to go for an morning ride or evening ride as it can get warmer mid noon.
Avoid visiting the place on public holidays or weekends as it gets really crowded.
Nearest railway station is Chidambaram and from there, you can take a bus or taxi to Pichavaram which is just 15 kms away.
Take a detour and try eating non veg delicacies at the famous Jayaram hotel. Location!
