Prospect and scope of extensive shrimp farming in tsunami submerged areas

Abstract

Fertile arable lands lying above the highest high tide level mark in Port Blair submerged in a fortnight as the lands got sub-ducted to a depth of 1.25 m. The ingression of seawater was high. The inundated areas were having unique features. There were sites, which remained permanently inundated during the lowest low tide. In some sites, water started coming in during high tide and moving out during low tide creating a steady flood and ebb. Some areas dried up after the immediate ingression showing least influence on the tidal cycle. The South West area of Port Blair was severely affected. Mangrove forests dried up with species like Rhizopora alone withstanding continuous saline water logging phases. Outlet channels, which served as pathways for flushing out freshwater from catchment areas, became inlet channels for seawater gushing in during high tide. Vast areas of land, which supported the crops, vegetables and paddy cultivation, became barren with the saline water ingression. Thousands of people became jobless with mainstream agriculture activity coming to a stand still. Coastal aquaculture is opening up as a viable option in the submerged areas. A feasibility study was conducted in search of an alternate livelihood for the farmers affected by seduction of lands due to the earthquake on 26 December 2004.