Restoring Mangroves to Secure India’s Coasts
Kartavya Desk Staff
Syllabus: Environment
Source: TH
Context: India has launched major mangrove restoration drives across Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Mumbai to fight climate risks. These efforts enhance coastal security, biodiversity, and climate resilience amid rising ecological threats.
About Restoring Mangroves to Secure India’s Coasts:
• What Are Mangroves? Mangroves are salt-tolerant coastal forests that grow in tidal, tropical, and subtropical intertidal zones.
• Mangroves are salt-tolerant coastal forests that grow in tidal, tropical, and subtropical intertidal zones.
• Distribution in India: India’s mangroves cover about 4,900 sq. km, mainly found in Sundarbans, Mahanadi, Godavari, Pichavaram, and Gulf of Kutch.
• Ecological Role: They act as bio-shields during cyclones and floods, reducing wave energy and protecting inland life and property.
• Climate Role: Mangroves store vast amounts of “blue carbon” in their roots and soils, helping mitigate climate change.
Key Threats to Mangroves:
• Urbanisation: City expansion leads to mangrove clearance for roads, ports, and real estate, destroying natural buffers.
• Pollution & Plastics: Rivers and drains dump waste into mangrove zones, reducing regeneration and harming aquatic life.
• Aquaculture: Shrimp farms in coastal areas have replaced native mangrove habitats, especially in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
• Climate Change: Sea-level rise and erratic rainfall alter tidal patterns and increase salinity, damaging delicate mangrove systems.
• Invasive Species: Invasive weeds like Prosopis juliflora outcompete native flora and degrade mangrove ecosystems.
Notable Indian Restoration Efforts
• Tamil Nadu – Green Tamil Nadu Mission: Mangrove cover doubled from 4,500 to 9,000 ha (2021–24) via canal reworking and native seed planting.
• MSSRF–Muthupettai Estuary: 115 ha restored with 4.3 lakh Avicennia seeds by collaborating with village committees and forest officers.
• Mumbai – Thane Creek Project: ₹10.3 crore project to plant 3.75 lakh mangrove saplings and intercept 150 tonnes of plastic over 3 years.
• Women Empowerment through Restoration: Local women are employed in seedling planting and upkeep, linking biodiversity with livelihoods.
• Gujarat – MISHTI Scheme Leader: Over 19,000 ha of mangroves planted in 2 years, exceeding national targets under the MISHTI initiative.
Strategic Role in Coastal Security
• Disaster Shield: During the 2004 tsunami and recent cyclones, mangroves absorbed wind and wave energy, reducing destruction.
• Livelihood Support: Fisherfolk, crab catchers, and honey gatherers depend on mangroves for income and cultural practices.
• Biodiversity Hotspots: They support species like flamingos, mudskippers, and mangrove herons by providing nesting and breeding grounds.
• Carbon Sink: Mangroves trap CO₂ more efficiently than tropical forests, aiding India’s Nationally Determined Contributions.
• Eco-Tourism and Coastal Identity: Restored mangroves in Gujarat and Sundarbans have become hubs for nature tourism and heritage education.
Way Forward:
• Policy Integration: MISHTI should be merged with Smart Cities and CRZ norms to protect mangroves from unregulated construction.
• Community Stewardship: Involve locals in mapping, seed collection, and canal maintenance to ensure ownership and continuity.
• Technological Monitoring: Use drones, satellite imagery, and AI to track mangrove health, growth, and degradation patterns in real time.
• Urban Eco-Planning: Coastal cities must integrate mangrove buffers into urban flood plans, especially in cyclone-prone zones.
• International Partnerships: Collaborate with other tropical nations for joint mangrove research, blue carbon trade, and coastal innovation.
Conclusion:
Mangroves are nature’s frontline defense for coastal India, blending ecology with economy. Their restoration secures biodiversity, climate resilience, and community livelihoods. India must scale scientific, community-led models to protect these green sentinels.