Environmental Protection
As knowledge of the significant role that mangrove ecosystems play in the tropical coastal zone grew worldwide, it also became clear that mangroves are marginal ecosystems, vulnerable to sudden or drastic changes in the environment. Mangroves do not recover spontaneously after the impact of natural or man made catastrophic events such as cyclones or total felling of the mangrove forests.
In Pondicherry, he advised the Government on matters pertaining to the protection of the coastline, rehabilitation of arid areas and the impact of human development on the local ecosystem.
Thani was instrumental in focusing attention to the tremendous ecological role that the mangrove ecosystem played in protecting coastlines from tidal waves (Tsunami) and land erosion. He spearheaded scientific initiatives centered around the mangrove ecosystem at Pichavaram.
He was involved in UNESCO's Asia and Pacific Mangrove Project - a multidisciplinary integrated initiative for a better understanding of the structure and function of mangrove ecosystems for sustainable use and management.
Thani's scientific contribution in the realm of mangrove ecology are recorded in the posthumously published Palynology Manual. He left behind him a first-class work that is a benchmark for the identification of pollen from species of mangrove plants of ages past.
Read more about this topic: Ganapathi Thanikaimoni
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