Hara forests

Why in News?

The Hara forests, an important mangrove ecosystem in the Persian Gulf, are significant for their role in coastal protection, carbon sequestration, marine biodiversity and sustainable tourism. Located around Iran’s Qeshm Island and the Strait of Hormuz, these forests form one of the region’s important coastal ecological assets.

Key Points

The Hara forests are composed mainly of the grey mangrove (Avicennia marina), a species adapted to highly saline environments.

These mangroves possess a specialised root filtration system that enables them to survive in saline conditions by limiting the uptake of salt.

Their extensive root systems help stabilise coastlines and reduce coastal erosion, while also providing important habitats for marine organisms.

Hara mangroves are important blue-carbon ecosystems because they can store and sequester substantial quantities of carbon in their vegetation and sediments.

The forests serve as important nursery grounds for marine species, including shrimp, crabs and numerous fish species, thereby supporting regional fisheries and coastal livelihoods.

The canopy and surrounding wetlands also provide habitat for migratory birds, including the great stone-curlew and various species of herons.

The Hara forests are recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, reflecting their ecological significance and the importance of sustainable management.

On Qeshm Island in Iran, the mangrove forests also support sustainable tourism, with visitors attracted to their distinctive network of waterways and mangrove landscapes.

Source: TH

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