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the impact of earthquakes. If sea shores and riverbanks are kept under forest cover in sufficient width (along rivers about their width and at least 10 kilometers along seashores) without human encroachments then disastrous consequences of storms, earthquakes and floods and loss of life and property will not be there. It will be interesting to note that during recent Tsunami disaster (26th December 2004) the aboriginal tribes Jarwas, Onges, Shompen, Sentenelese and Great Admananies in Andaman and Nikobar islands did not suffer being inhabitant of forest as they shifted to higher areas after biological warning signals from birds, wild animals, marine life forms and also having enough to feed on forest products, nuts, beans, tubers etc. and coconuts providing good substitute for good drinking water. The light house watchman saw that black bucks about 1700 in number were running away from the wildlife sanctuary (380 kms from Chennai) to safer higher reaches before Tsunami struck the areas. It has been scientifically shown that several animals are superior to humans in their sensory abilities to sound, temperature, touch, vibration and to electrostatic, chemical and magnetic changes in their environment. The occurance of such calamities as Tsunami, earthquakes, volcanic eruption, storm etc. are preceded by minute disturbances in environment including low intensity ground vibration, low frequency sounds and changes in magnetism etc. and animals detect these and respond to them before humans can. Traditional knowledge particularly amongst forest dwelling tribes about changes in the behavour of animals and birds preceding the calamities can gainfully be utilised to avoid and at least minimize the loss of property and life. The Corals, trees and mangrove forest wherever left and saved from human encroachments proved strong barriers against Tsunami waves. Governments in the countries affected by Tsunami, are now realising the importance of forest and wild animals and preparing plans to recreate mangrove forests and bio-shields of trees along sea-coasts. Houses built of wood have elasticity
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