LIVELIHOOD PROJECTS IN MANGROVE FORESTS

LIVELIHOOD PROJECTS IN MANGROVE FORESTS

My dear countrymen, I asked ChatGPT if mangrove trees could produce fruits, and here is its answer:

START QUOTE: Some mangrove trees produce edible fruits, although not all are commonly consumed due to taste, texture, or potential toxicity. Below are examples of mangrove species with edible fruits and their uses:

Edible Fruits from Mangrove Trees

1.   Sonneratia alba (Mangrove Apple or Perepat):

o   Fruit: The round, greenish fruit is edible and is sometimes referred to as a "mangrove apple."

o   Uses: Can be eaten raw or made into pickles, sauces, or traditional dishes in coastal regions.

o   Taste: Mildly acidic and a bit tangy.

2.   Avicennia marina (Grey Mangrove):

o   Fruit: Produces propagules that are edible after processing.

o   Preparation: Must be detoxified by boiling or leaching to remove tannins and other harmful substances.

o   Uses: In some traditional communities, the propagules are used as famine food.

3.   Nypa fruticans (Nipa Palm):

o   Fruit: The fruit cluster contains seeds with a jelly-like texture, often called "attap chee."

o   Uses: Consumed raw or used in desserts, particularly in Southeast Asia, such as in "halo-halo" in the Philippines or "ais kacang" in Malaysia.

o   Sap: The tree's sap can be harvested to make nipa sugar or fermented into vinegar or alcohol.

4.   Bruguiera gymnorhiza (Large-leafed Mangrove):

o   Fruit: Propagules are edible after thorough processing.

o   Preparation: Boiled or soaked to remove tannins and toxins, similar to Avicennia.

Considerations:

  • Many mangrove fruits or propagules require processing (e.g., boiling, soaking) to remove tannins or other compounds that may cause bitterness or toxicity.
  • Edibility often depends on local traditions and knowledge, as some parts of these fruits can be harmful if improperly prepared.

Cultural and Ecological Importance:

  • In some coastal communities, edible mangrove fruits are part of traditional diets or are used as survival foods.
  • Mangroves are more valued for their ecological roles (e.g., preventing erosion, serving as fish nurseries) than for their fruits. END QUOTE

I asked ChatGPT that question, because I am looking for ways and ways to make mangrove forests more sustainable, and as far as I am concerned, the way to do that is to create livelihood projects within the forests, including food production. It is my belief that if there is money to be made, more people will be more interested in creating more mangrove forests. I have already seen this happen in Kalibo, Aklan, where my own Sigma Rho Fraternity has supported a local mangrove forest that was started by our departed fraternity brothers former Environment Secretary Fulgencio Santos Factoran, Jr. and former Aklan Congressman Allen Salas Quimpo.

Started in 1990 in partnership with our own sister sorority Delta Lambda Sigma, the Kalibo Save the Mangroves Association (KASAMA) and the Kalibo LGU, the Bakhawan Eco-Park now has three livelihood projects namely fishponds, charcoal making and Tamilok (wood worms) processing and bottling. Tamilok is a local delicacy that is harvested from old mangrove driftwoods. The charcoal is made from mangrove branches and leaves. Wood from mangrove trees have a very high BTU rating, thus making the charcoal a very desirable product. It is also sustainable, because there is no need to cut down the trees to remove the branches. And apparently, there is a need to cut down the branches periodically, as part of tree maintenance. Please let me know if you have other ideas about how to create livelihood in mangrove forests. Your friend, IKE SENERES/12-29-24/visit my blog senseneres.blogspot.com

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