Mangroves are survivors. They live their life on the edge: with one foot on the land and the other in water. Like coral reefs, mangroves are extremely important marine ecosystems.
Our first foray into the mangroves was in Pichavaram, which is the second largest mangrove forest in India. It was flooded with high decibel tourists. A helpful forest officer spotted us amidst the cacophony and arranged a small boat to take us beyond the ‘tourist’ zone. It was an amazing experience. As the boat negotiated the first turn, we entered a long and narrow rivulet completely ensconced by luxuriant green foliage. The sky was totally eclipsed by low, tangled mangrove branches. It was like entering a green tunnel! In eerie silence we negotiated one tunnel after another till we entered one of the wider channels. Mangrove forests towered on either side, dense and gleaming in the evening sun. Finally the boatman steered us into a sandbank. We walked across to one of the most isolated beaches we have ever been to. The boatman gently whispered that these stretches of beaches were often used by the cadres of LTTE in their heyday! Mangroves in India are mostly gifts of the east flowing rivers. Last week, it was yet another foray into the mangroves. There are comparatively less mangroves in the west coast. It was a wonderful opportunity, thanks to the Pankaj of Natures Nest to explore the mangroves along Zuari esturary and further into the Cumbharjua Canal. As we entered the magic realm of the mangroves the astute eyes of Pankaj spotted many a bird nestling among the branches hanging low on the water. Within a few minutes we saw a group of Greater Crested Terns perched on the bamboo poles. As we ventured further there was a solitary Western Reef Egret followed by Striated Heron in the shade. A Peregrine Falcon was safely ensconced under the Zuari Bridge. Pankaj informed us that it wasn’t spotted for a long time till a keen observer spotted bird feathers floating under the bridge, looked up and chanced upon the culprit! We had a wonderful sighting Osprey perched on a stump. And of course host of kingfishers….collared, stork billed and the most beautiful of them all…the black capped kingfisher! Marsh crocodile was sunning along the banks lazily! It was a hypnotic tryst with the mangroves of the Zuari estuary. It isn’t surprising then to find out that the word ‘mangrove’ is considered to be a combination of the Portuguese word ‘mangue’ and the English word ‘grove’! Meditating birds perched on stilts and tree branches growing out of water brought out the muse in me…. My memories Are like The tangled web Of Mangroves Rooted in the past Sharing with the wind Stories buried Deep within. . . Glmpses At: goo.gl/photos/opwcymH4Uie7rLSUA
13 Comments
Chanda
12/13/2016 05:58:20 am
Lovely description Ragu. Very evocative. You went to two estuaries on two coasts with mangroves? Wow!
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Tagu
12/13/2016 08:13:08 pm
Thanks Chanda!
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Vinod
12/13/2016 06:55:00 am
What a lovely description sir. I wish had been there with you on this trip of yours. thank you very much indeed
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Ragu
12/13/2016 08:13:33 pm
Thanks unix!
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Sundar
12/13/2016 07:28:54 am
Well described Ragu . The whole thing comes alive when one reads it and it's fairly easy to visualise
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Ragu
12/13/2016 08:13:52 pm
Thanks Sundar!
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dr vinod g kulkarni
12/13/2016 08:28:47 am
kudos to your command over the beautiful english language, a detailed and meticulous exoression of what a lesser mortal would dismiss off as something insignificant. u imbibe a rich cultural taste coupled with utmost humility and serene demenour. not for nothing you steal the show in all your appearances and writings. hearty congrts sir. pl send the artcl to an english daily for publication. all readers wld benefit.
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Ragu
12/13/2016 08:14:28 pm
Thanks Vinod for the kind words!
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Soudhamini
12/13/2016 01:05:17 pm
Beautiful poem sir. I enjoyed the album, especially pictures of the kingfisher.
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Ragu
12/13/2016 08:14:48 pm
Thanks Mini!
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Arun
12/13/2016 10:59:39 pm
Beautiful photos Ragu and your description added to the imagery. Did you have photos of the green tunnels beneath the mangroves? I remembered the mangroves in Kerala as I read your description. The Brahminy Kite looked majestic and haughty ! And my first view of the ringed kingfisher. Thanks!
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Saranya
12/14/2016 10:41:08 am
i have not enjoyed Pitchavaram as you did. Next time try through some officials
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Malathi Swaminathan
12/19/2016 04:11:36 am
Once again, Sir, you successfully helped me enjoy the Mangrove through your descriptions. Hindu had couple of articles, once about a bird species another was a travelogue like. No flattery to you, your piece gave a feel of the ambience, nature's bounty while Lazarus's article did not give the touch or excitement of it being a haddaba too.
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Dr Raguram
Someone who keeps exploring beyond the boundaries of everyday life to savor and share those unforgettable moments.... Archives
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