Subject: Conservation & Mitigation

PYQ Relevance: [UPSC 2019] Discuss the causes of depletion of mangroves and explain their importance in maintaining coastal ecology. Linkage: The article explicitly details the importance of mangroves, stating they are “critical in India’s pursuit of climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and the empowerment of coastal communities”. It explains their role as “natural barriers, protecting coastal communities from cyclones, tidal surges, and erosion”, and their significance in “biodiversity conservation”. The article also discusses the threats leading to their “depletion,” such as “urban expansion, aquaculture, pollution, and changing climate patterns”.

 

Mentor’s Comment:  India’s mangrove forests have come into focus due to growing efforts to restore and protect them amid increasing threats from urban expansion, climate change, and pollution. Recent successful restoration projects in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Mumbai, along with support from government missions and private partners, highlight India’s growing role in mangrove conservation. These forests are vital for climate resilience, coastal protection, and biodiversity, making their preservation a national priority.

Today’s editorial analyses India’s growing efforts to restore mangrove forests. This topic is important for GS Paper III (Environment) in the UPSC mains exam.

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Let’s learn!

Why in the News?

Recently, mangrove restoration efforts in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Mumbai have been successful.

What is the extent of Mangroves in India? India’s total mangrove cover is 4,992 sq km, accounting for 0.15% of the country’s geographical area (as per ISFR 2021). West Bengal, Gujarat, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands hold the largest mangrove areas, with West Bengal (Sundarbans) alone covering over 42% of the total.

Why are mangroves vital for climate and coastal resilience in India?

• Natural Coastal Shield: Mangroves act as buffers against cyclones, storm surges, and coastal erosion. Eg: During the 2004 tsunami, villages protected by mangroves in Tamil Nadu suffered less damage compared to those without them.
• Climate Change Mitigation: They store “blue carbon” in biomass and deep soil, helping to absorb excess CO₂. Eg: India’s mangroves contribute significantly to carbon sequestration, aiding in climate targets under the Paris Agreement.
• Biodiversity Hotspots: Provide breeding grounds for fish, crabs, birds, and other marine life. Eg: Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary in Mumbai supports over 180 bird species due to nearby mangroves.
• Livelihood Support for Communities: Sustain traditional occupations like fishing, honey gathering, and crab farming. Eg: Sunderbans communities rely on mangroves for fishing and honey collection.
• Disaster Risk Reduction: Reduce the impact of natural disasters by slowing floodwaters and stabilising shorelines. Eg: In Odisha, mangroves helped minimise damage during Cyclone Phailin (2013).

What threatens India’s mangroves?

• Urbanisation and Industrial Expansion: Mangrove areas are cleared for ports, housing, and industrial zones. Eg: Mangrove loss in Mumbai due to Navi Mumbai airport construction.
• Aquaculture and Agriculture Encroachment: Conversion of mangrove land into shrimp farms or paddy fields disrupts ecosystems. Eg: Andhra Pradesh lost mangroves to extensive aquaculture projects.
• Pollution: Discharge of industrial effluents, plastic, and sewage harms mangrove health. Eg: Thane Creek, Mumbai, faces heavy pollution impacting biodiversity.
• Climate Change and Sea Level Rise: Changes in salinity, temperature, and rising sea levels affect mangrove regeneration. Eg: Sundarbans face submergence and loss due to rising sea levels.
• Overexploitation of Resources: Excessive collection of wood, honey, and fodder leads to degradation. Eg: In West Bengal, unsustainable practices by local communities reduce forest cover.

How has community involvement aided mangrove restoration in Tamil Nadu?

• Collaborative Restoration Projects: Community members partnered with institutions like the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation and the Tamil Nadu Forest Department for restoring degraded mangroves. Eg: In Muthupettai’s Pattuvanachi estuary, locals helped implement a 115-hectare restoration plan.
• Tidal Canal Digging for Hydrology Restoration: Villagers participated in digging 19 major canals to restore natural tidal flow, crucial for mangrove survival. Eg: This intervention successfully revived water movement in Muthupettai, enabling mangrove regrowth.
• Seed Collection and Plantation: Locals actively collected and planted seeds of native mangrove species like Avicennia and Rhizophora. Eg: Over 4.3 lakh Avicennia seeds and 6,000 Rhizophora propagules were planted by community members.
• Removal of Invasive Species: Community groups helped clear invasive weeds like Prosopis juliflora, which compete with mangroves for space and nutrients. Eg: In Kazhipattur near Buckingham Canal, Chennai, invasive plants were removed before mangrove restoration began.
• Support for Green Missions and Monitoring: Local residents supported and maintained mangrove cover under the Green Tamil Nadu Mission, ensuring long-term success. Eg: Community participation helped double Tamil Nadu’s mangrove area from 4,500 ha to 9,000 ha (2021–2024).

What is the role of corporate partnerships in mangrove revival in Mumbai?

• Financial and Technical Support: Amazon’s Right Now Climate Fund invested $1.2 million (₹10.3 crore) in a restoration project along Thane Creek, enabling large-scale ecological rehabilitation.
• Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration: Partnered with Hasten Regeneration and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to install trash booms that intercept plastic waste, aiming to collect 150 tonnes over 3 years while planting 3.75 lakh mangrove saplings.
• Community Empowerment and Livelihood Generation: Created paid employment opportunities for local women in planting and maintenance, linking ecological recovery with socio-economic upliftment.

Why is Gujarat leading in mangrove restoration?

• Ambitious Scale under MISHTI Scheme: Under the Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes (MISHTI), launched in 2023, Gujarat planted over 19,000 hectares of mangroves within two years—far exceeding the national five-year target of 54,000 hectares.
• Strategic Coastal Coverage & Biodiversity Focus: Gujarat holds about 23.6% of India’s total mangrove cover, with major plantations in Kutch, Bhavnagar, Surat, and Dumas-Ubhrat. These areas support critical ecological balance, biodiversity, and local livelihoods.
• Strong Governance, Planning & Local Institutional Support: Efficient coordination between the Gujarat Forest Department, state environment agencies, and local communities has ensured success. Structured coastal mapping, restoration planning, and promotion of ecotourism-linked livelihoods have further strengthened outcomes.

What are the steps taken by the Indian government?  Green India Mission & State Missions: Through the National Green India Mission and state-level initiatives like the Green Tamil Nadu Mission, the government supports afforestation, ecosystem restoration, and community-based conservation efforts. Inclusion in Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Rules: Mangrove areas are designated as Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZ) under the CRZ Notification, restricting construction and promoting their protection through legal safeguards and regulatory oversight.

Way forward: 

• Strengthen Community-Based Conservation: Empower local communities through training, incentives, and formal roles in monitoring and maintaining mangroves to ensure sustainable, long-term protection.
• Integrate Mangroves into Climate and Development Planning: Recognise mangroves as vital climate infrastructure by integrating them into coastal zone management, disaster resilience strategies, and carbon credit frameworks.