154
and pesticides as well as appropriate legislation to regulate their use will also go a
long way in stopping indiscriminate use. In this context use of biofertlizers is very
relevant, as they are biodegradable and relative free of conservative pollutants.
Industries in the coastal zone need to carefully treat their waste discharges.
Manufactures may reduce water pollution by reusing materials and chemicals, and
switching over to less toxic alternatives. Industrial symbiosis, in which the unusable
wastes from one product/firm become the input for another, is an attractive solution.
Also there is a need to encourage reductions or replacement of toxic chemicals, possibly through fiscal measures. Pollution taxes in the Netherlands, for example, have
helped the country slash discharges of heavy metals such as mercury and arsenic
into waterways by up to 99% between 1976 and the mid-1990s.
Environmental improvement and restoration should be planned and implemented
such that the fresh water as well as ground water resources are protected and their
quality is maintained and/or enhanced. On the legislative front, laws are required to
check littering as well as to implement ‘polluter pays’ principle. More importantly,
these laws should be strictly enforced.
For making the people of various sections of our society aware about the different issues of water resources management, a participatory approach may be adopted.
Mass communication programs may be launched using the modern communication
means for educating the people (preferably the island dwellers of Sundarbans) about
water pollution. Capacity building should be perceived as the process whereby a
community equips itself to become an active and well-informed partner in decision
making. The process of capacity building must be aimed at both increasing access
to water resources and changing the power relationships between stakeholders.
Capacity building is not only limited to officials and technicians but must also
include the general awareness of the local population regarding their responsibilities in sustainable management of the water resources. Policy decisions in any water
resources projects should be directed to improve knowledge, attitude and practices
about the linkages between health and hygiene, provide higher water supply service
levels and to improve environment through safe disposal of human wastes.
Sustainable management of water requires decentralized decisions by giving authority, responsibility and financial support to communities to manage their natural
resources and thereby protect the environment. Approaches to water pollution control that focuses on wastewater minimization, in-plant refinement of raw materials
and production processes, recycling of waste products, etc., should be given priority
over traditional end-of-pipe treatments. An important element in water pollution
control strategy is the formulation of realistic standards and regulations. However,
the standards must be achievable and the regulations enforceable.
Ambitious urban structure framework plans within mangrove habitat should
always consider the establishment of a comprehensive environmental risk assessment and mitigation plan due to the high chances of pollution caused by anthropogenic chemicals (Sarika and Chandramohanakumar 2008; Chen et al. 2010).
5 Mangroves: A Sink of Heavy Metals
and pesticides as well as appropriate legislation to regulate their use will also go a
long way in stopping indiscriminate use. In this context use of biofertlizers is very
relevant, as they are biodegradable and relative free of conservative pollutants.
Industries in the coastal zone need to carefully treat their waste discharges.
Manufactures may reduce water pollution by reusing materials and chemicals, and
switching over to less toxic alternatives. Industrial symbiosis, in which the unusable
wastes from one product/firm become the input for another, is an attractive solution.
Also there is a need to encourage reductions or replacement of toxic chemicals, possibly through fiscal measures. Pollution taxes in the Netherlands, for example, have
helped the country slash discharges of heavy metals such as mercury and arsenic
into waterways by up to 99% between 1976 and the mid-1990s.
Environmental improvement and restoration should be planned and implemented
such that the fresh water as well as ground water resources are protected and their
quality is maintained and/or enhanced. On the legislative front, laws are required to
check littering as well as to implement ‘polluter pays’ principle. More importantly,
these laws should be strictly enforced.
For making the people of various sections of our society aware about the different issues of water resources management, a participatory approach may be adopted.
Mass communication programs may be launched using the modern communication
means for educating the people (preferably the island dwellers of Sundarbans) about
water pollution. Capacity building should be perceived as the process whereby a
community equips itself to become an active and well-informed partner in decision
making. The process of capacity building must be aimed at both increasing access
to water resources and changing the power relationships between stakeholders.
Capacity building is not only limited to officials and technicians but must also
include the general awareness of the local population regarding their responsibilities in sustainable management of the water resources. Policy decisions in any water
resources projects should be directed to improve knowledge, attitude and practices
about the linkages between health and hygiene, provide higher water supply service
levels and to improve environment through safe disposal of human wastes.
Sustainable management of water requires decentralized decisions by giving authority, responsibility and financial support to communities to manage their natural
resources and thereby protect the environment. Approaches to water pollution control that focuses on wastewater minimization, in-plant refinement of raw materials
and production processes, recycling of waste products, etc., should be given priority
over traditional end-of-pipe treatments. An important element in water pollution
control strategy is the formulation of realistic standards and regulations. However,
the standards must be achievable and the regulations enforceable.
Ambitious urban structure framework plans within mangrove habitat should
always consider the establishment of a comprehensive environmental risk assessment and mitigation plan due to the high chances of pollution caused by anthropogenic chemicals (Sarika and Chandramohanakumar 2008; Chen et al. 2010).
5 Mangroves: A Sink of Heavy Metals