World Mangrove Day: Conservation Success in India Amidst Challenges

#### Syllabus: Environment Conservation

#### Source: DTE

Context: July 26 is International Day for Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystems, declared by UNESCO to raise awareness and promote sustainable management of mangroves, vital for coastal protection, storm mitigation, and carbon sequestration.

About International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem

Celebrated annually on July 26, this day aims to raise awareness about the importance of mangrove ecosystems and promote sustainable management and conservation solutions. It was established by UNESCO in 2015.

About Mangroves:

• Mangroves are salt-tolerant plant communities found in tropical and subtropical intertidal regions. They are important refuges of coastal biodiversity and act as bio-shields against extreme climatic events.

• They are located in the intermediate zone between the land and the sea and represent one of the best examples of ecotone.

The IUCN Red List of Ecosystems (RLE) has assessed mangrove ecosystems globally for the first time, revealing alarming findings.

• Half of the assessed global mangrove ecosystems are at risk of collapse, with nearly 20% classified as high risk.

• Major threats include climate change, deforestation, development, pollution, and dam construction.

• Climate change alone jeopardizes one-third of assessed mangrove

• Sea-level rise is predicted to submerge 25% of global mangrove area in the next 50 years.

• Without significant intervention, by 2050, climate change and sea-level rise could lead to the loss of 1.8 billion tonnes of stored carbon and expose 2.1 million lives to coastal flooding.

• Indian mangroves vary in status: Andaman and Bay of Bengal are classified as Least Concern, while South India is Critically Endangered, and West India is Vulnerable.

Mangroves in India

• The ‘State of World Mangroves 2022’ report by the Global Mangrove Alliance puts the total mangrove cover of the world at 1,47,000 sq km (14.7 million hectares).

• Mangrovesmake up only about 0.15% of India’s land area but provide numerous benefits to coastal communities over its vast coastline (spanning 7516km)

• Mangroves in India are distributed across nine States and three Union Territories with West Bengal having the highest mangrove cover of 2,114 sq km.

• The IFSR report also points out that there has been an increase in the mangrove cover from 4,046 sq km in 1987 to 4,992 sq km in 2021.

• However, the National Decadal Wetland Change Atlas (2022) indicates a decline in natural coastal wetlands, with intertidal mudflats and salt marshes reducing significantly.

Benefits of Mangroves for India:

Benefits | Examples

Coastal Protection | Mangroves act as natural barriers against erosion, storms, and cyclones. They reduce wave impact, protecting coastal areas from damage.

Flood Mitigation | Mangroves stabilize sedimentation and help mitigate coastal flooding. In the Sundarbans region, mangroves help prevent inland flooding during monsoon seasons.

Biodiversity Habitat | Mangroves provide critical habitats for various plant and animal species, including endangered ones like the Bengal tiger and the Ganges river dolphin. E.g., Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, hosts a diverse range of species, supporting biodiversity.

Livelihood Support | Mangroves contribute to the livelihoods of fisher communities. Programs in the Sundarbans demonstrate how involving local communities can lead to sustainable livelihoods for fisherfolk.

Water Quality Improvement | Mangroves act as natural filters, trapping sediments, pollutants, and excess nutrients. They improve water quality and benefit marine ecosystems.

Climate Change Mitigation | Mangroves absorb and store carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, aiding in climate change mitigation.

Resilience to Climate Change | Mangroves show adaptability to sea-level rise and increased storm intensity. They recover relatively quickly from climate-related impacts.

E.g., Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, hosts a diverse range of species, supporting biodiversity.

Initiatives for Mangroves:

Global:

• Mangrove Breakthrough: Introduced at UNFCCC COP27 by UN High-Level Climate Champions and Global Mangrove Alliance (GMA).

• Global Mangrove Alliance (GMA) was established at the World Ocean Summit in 2018.

• Mangrove Alliance for Climate: Led by UAE in collaboration with Indonesia.

India:

• Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI)

• Conservation and Management of Mangroves and Coral Reefs under the National Coastal Mission Programme

• Amrit Dharohar: To revive and conserve wetlands, and enhance biodiversity, eco-tourism, and livelihoods of local communities.

• Maharashtra even established a separate Mangrove Cell for focused conservation.

Conclusion:

Effective mangrove conservation requires a holistic approach, incorporating climate risk management, broader ecosystem health, and inclusive community involvement. The National Coastal Mission aims to drive these changes, ensuring mangroves and coastal ecosystems thrive amid environmental challenges.

Mains Link: UPSC 2019

Discuss the causes of the depletion of mangroves and explain their importance in maintaining coastal ecology. (15M)

Prelims Link: UPSC 2011

The 2004 Tsunami made people realize that mangroves can serve as a reliable safety hedge against coastal calamities. How do mangroves function as a safety hedge?

(a) The mangrove swamps separate the human settlements from the sea by a wide zone in which people neither live nor venture out.

(b) The mangroves provide both food and medicines which people are in need of after any natural disaster.

(d) The mangrove trees do not get uprooted by storms and tides because of their extensive roots.

Solution: D

Which one of the following regions of India has a combination of mangrove forest, evergreen forest and deciduous forest? (UPSC 2015)

(a) North Coastal Andhra Pradesh (b) South-West Bengal (c) Southern Saurashtra (d) Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Ans: (d)