Mangrove Conservation and india

Mangroves are unique littoral plant communities found along tropical and subtropical coastal regions worldwide. They are also referred to as coastal forests, tidal forests, or mangrove forests. These salt-tolerant plants thrive in high temperatures (26–35°C), high rainfall (1,000–3,000 mm), and intertidal zones.

In India, mangrove ecosystems are prominently developed in regions such as Sundarbans (West Bengal), M.P.T.R. (Andaman & Nicobar Islands), Bhitarkanika (Odisha), the Maitri River region (Gujarat), and the Godavari–Krishna delta (Andhra Pradesh).

Extent of Mangroves in India

According to ISFR 2023:

• Total mangrove cover in India: 0.15% of the geographical area
• India’s contribution to global mangrove area: ~3%
• Recent increases in mangrove areas have been mainly recorded in Andaman & Nicobar, Odisha, and Maharashtra.

Ecosystem Services of Mangroves

1. Carbon Sequestration (Blue Carbon Ecosystem)
   • Mangroves store 3 times more carbon than other tropical forests of similar size.
   • They have a higher capacity for long-term carbon burial in soil.
2. Protection from Natural Disasters
   • They reduce wave energy by 60–70% during storms, cyclones, and floods.
   • Studies show they can reduce flood depth by 15–20%.
3. Livelihoods for Coastal Communities
   • Provide opportunities in fisheries, honey production, nursery farming, and eco-tourism.
   • Thousands of families in India directly depend on these ecosystems.
4. Biodiversity Hotspot
   • Indian mangroves host over 5,700 plant and animal species.
   • Species include fiddler crabs, mudskippers, kingfishers, crocodiles, and tigers (Sundarbans).

Threats to Mangroves

Global Context (Global Mangrove Alliance, 2024)

• Half of the world’s mangroves are threatened (IUCN Red List of Ecosystems).
• Rising sea levels and pollution are major causes.

Major Threats in India

1. Anthropogenic Development Activities
   • Expansion of industrial shrimp aquaculture (AP, WB, Gujarat).
   • Conversion of mangrove land for oil palm plantations and paddy cultivation.
   • Port development, coastal road construction, and real estate expansion.
2. Climate Change
   • Rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and increased cyclone intensity.
3. Coastal Pollution
   • Black carbon, especially from Kolkata–Ganga–Sindhu region.
   • Wastewater discharge and plastic pollution.
   • Groundwater Extraction and Salinity Changes
   • Coastal groundwater pumping alters soil salinity.
4. Local Biological Pressure
   • Illegal logging, charcoal production, and unsustainable fishing.

India’s Initiatives for Mangrove Conservation

1. MISHTI — Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Income
   • Launched in Union Budget 2023–24.
   • Focus on mangrove plantation and restoration in coastal states/UTs.
   • Emphasizes income generation for local communities.
2. SAIME — Sustainable Aquaculture in Mangrove Ecosystem
   • Promotes sustainable shrimp/fish farming among mangroves.
   • Successful model in West Bengal.
3. National Coastal Mission (NCM)
   • Conservation and management of mangroves and coral reefs.
   • Identification of ecologically sensitive coastal areas.
4. Magical Mangroves Campaign
   • Community-based awareness and ecological education.
5. CAMPA Fund
   • Used for mangrove restoration projects.

Global Initiatives

1. Mangrove Breakthrough (Global Mangrove Alliance)
   • Goal: Protect and restore 15 million hectares of mangroves by 2030.
2. Mangrove Climate Alliance
   • Led by UAE and Indonesia.
   • Promotes international Blue Carbon trade.
3. UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030)
   • Encourages restoration of degraded coastal ecosystems.
4. Ramsar Convention & CBD
   • Prioritize mangroves in coastal wetland conservation.

Challenges

• Lack of data and health mapping of mangroves.
• Poor coordination among fisheries, coastal development, and forest departments.
• Limited effectiveness of conservation without community participation.
• Insufficient priority in coastal planning.
• Pressure from blue economy projects on mangrove lands.

Way Forward

1. Strengthen Legal Frameworks
   • Strengthen provisions for mangrove conservation under:
     • Forest Conservation Act, 1980
     • Environment Protection Act, 1986 (EIA)
     • Indian Forest Act, 1927
2. Link Mangroves with Terrestrial Forests (Landscape-level Management)
   • Example: Connect Sundarbans mangroves with Sundarbans National Park for a large protected ecosystem.
3. Establish Mangrove Germplasm Conservation Centers
   • Protect seeds, tissue culture, and nursery resources of endangered species.
4. Community-Based Management (CBM)
   • Livelihood-integrated conservation: eco-friendly aquaculture, honey value chains, ecotourism.
5. Scientific Restoration
   • Nature-based solutions and hydrology-based restoration (tidal flow restoration).
6. National Mangrove Mapping Mission
   • Drone, LiDAR, and GIS-based national mangrove health index.
7. International Collaboration
   • Strengthen India’s role in Blue Carbon markets.
   • Collaborate with IORA and ASEAN countries. 

Conclusion

Mangroves are vital ecosystems that combat climate change, protect coastal communities, and conserve biodiversity. Initiatives like MISHTI and SAIME have begun to make an impact in India, but population pressure, developmental projects, and climate change remain major challenges. For the future, India must focus on policy-sensitive planning, community participation, and scientific restoration techniques to ensure mangroves remain protected for coming generations.