Mangrove Forest in India

The Union Budget 2023-24 introduces the 'Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI)' to restore mangroves over 540 sq km in five years. Mangroves are tropical plants thriving in waterlogged soil and they are vital for coastal ecology. India has 3.3% of global mangroves which spans regions like Sundarbans, Godavari & Krishna Deltas. Mangroves provide economic benefits, serving as fuel, food, and fiber for coastal communities. They aid in disaster management, protecting against floods and cyclones. Despite their importance, global mangroves are declining at 1-2% annually, facing threats like deforestation, sea-level rise, and industrial pollutants. Legal protections like the Environmental Protection Act and Coastal Regulation Zones are in place, and initiatives like MISHTI aim to safeguard mangroves, recognizing their ecological significance and potential for carbon sequestration. The conservation of Mangroves requires an integrated restoration approach and community participation.

The Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) which was introduced in the Union Budget 2023-24, aims to protect and enhance mangroves' unique ecosystems. This initiative strives to rejuvenate mangroves, covering around 540 sq km over five years. West Bengal, which has around 40% of India's mangrove forests, declared the establishment of a 'Mangrove Cell' in the state. A study in "Environmental Research Letters" predicts a staggering 50,000% increase in the annual carbon emissions resulting from the degradation of carbon stocks in mangrove forests by the century's end.

Mangroves constitute tropical evergreen plant life thriving in hydric or waterlogged soil. They are a diverse group of salt-tolerant trees. They are halophytes which are the plants that flourish in saline environments like shores, deltas, estuaries, bays, creeks, and tidal flats. They flourish in areas abundant with silt and these plants are strategically situated near river mouths. India contributes 3.3% to the global expanse of mangrove forests, distributed across regions such as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Sunderbans, Godavari and Krishna Deltas, and the Gulf of Khambhat.

Mangroves possess specific adaptations enabling them to thrive in challenging environments:

• Roots: Mangroves exhibit an arching prop root system rather than deep roots. Certain species such as Avicennia have pneumatophores which are vertical air roots.
• Salinity Tolerance: They can endure saline water by employing various mechanisms. Some mangroves prevent salt absorption at their roots, while others excrete excess salt from their leaves.
• Viviparous Germination: Mangroves employ viviparous germination, where seeds begin germinating while still on the tree before eventually falling to the ground.

The important species of Mangrove ecosystems in India include:

• Avicennia officinalis, Sonneratia alba, Heritiera littoralis, Avicennia alba,
• Bruguiera cylindrica, Ceriops taga, Phoenix paludosa, Morinda citrifolia, Rhizophora mucronata.

• Economic Importance: Mangroves play a crucial role in the coastal economy by providing fuel, food, and fiber, particularly benefiting local communities.
• Employment Generation: They contribute to local employment opportunities, supporting livelihoods in coastal areas.
• Ecological Functions: Mangroves aid in natural nutrient recycling, humus formation, and pollution mitigation.
• Disaster Mitigation: Their extensive root systems act as a natural barrier, protecting coastal regions from floods, cyclones, tsunamis, and erosion caused by waves and tides.
• Biodiversity Support: Mangrove regions foster rich biodiversity, serving as nesting grounds for various fish, amphibians, and reptiles, creating an ecotone environment. The Sundarbans, in particular, support a population of Tigers.

As per the Indian State Forest Report 2021, India's mangrove cover spans 4992 sq. km, accounting for a mere 0.15% of the nation's total geographical area. The Sundarbans in West Bengal stand out as the world's largest mangrove forest and hold the distinction of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. West Bengal has the largest area under Mangrove cover followed by Gujarat, Andaman & Nicobar Island, Andhra Pradesh and Goa respectively (declining order of area under Mangrove cover).

• Odisha-
  • Bhitarkanika Mangroves, Chandrabhaga Beach and Gopalpur Beach
  • Kalibhanjdia Island (Mangrove Genetic Resources Centre)
  • Mouth of Mahanadi River and near Chilika Lake.
• Tamil Nadu-
  • Pulicat lake - lagoon ( at Arani river )
  • Kaznuveli at Palar river. Pichavaram at Kollidam & Uppanaru river
  • Muthupet at Pamani river & Ramnad-Karankadu region
• Maharashtra-
  • Vaitarna,Vasai -Manori, Mumbra-Diwa (ulhas river )
  • Vikroli Belt & Kundalika Revdand
  • Veldur Vaishisthi river, Ratnagiri, and Devgarh Vijaydurg (Vaghotan river)
  • Achra river
• Karnataka-
  • Karwar at Kali River. Honnavar at Sharavati River
  • Kundapura at Panchgangavali, Chakra & Kolluru river
  • Mangalore Forest Divison (netravati And Gurupura river).
• Gujarat-
  • Gulf of Khambat, Gulf of Kachchh.
  • Dumas region near Tapi
• West Bengal-
  • Sunderbans(Wildlife Sanctuary and Ramsar Site)- dominated by Sundari Tree. Contains Spotted deer and Bengal Tiger. It also has Gangasar Island.
• Andhra Pradesh
  • Coringa wildlife sanctuary and Deltas of Krishna and Godavari
• Kerala
  • Kumarakom at Vembanad Lake , Kannur.
• Goa- Dr.Salim Ali bird sancutary.
• Andaman & Nicobar Island- Baratang

Global mangrove depletion is occurring at an annual rate of 1–2%, with a cumulative loss of 35% over the past two decades. From 1996 onwards, the Earth has witnessed a decline in mangrove coverage by 11,700 square kilometers. Several factors contribute to this depletion, including:

• Natural Calamities: Events such as cyclones and tsunamis.
• Anthropogenic Activities: Deforestation of mangroves due to human actions like constructing farms, houses, roads, markets, mining, and fish farming.
• Climate Change: Rising sea levels, a consequence of climate change, present a significant threat to mangroves.
• Encroachment in Sundarbans: The collection of tiger prawn seeds for trade has led to increased encroachment in the Sundarbans.
• Pollution: Industrial effluents, oil spills from port locations, heavy metals, plastics, and various pollutants adversely affect the flora and fauna of mangrove ecosystems.
• Declining Diversity: According to the IUCN Red List, 16 percent of the world's mangrove species (11 out of 70) are at an elevated threat of extinction.
• Shrimp Farming Impact: Shrimp farming is responsible for 35% of the overall loss of mangrove forests.
• Lack of Legal Protection: Mangroves outside reserve forests, sanctuaries, and national parks in India are under threat due to the absence of legal protections.

• Mangroves are protected by the Environmental Protection Act, 1986 and Coastal Regulation Zones.
• The 'Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI)' introduced in the 2023-2024 Union Budget aims to safeguard and promote mangroves. This initiative recognizes mangroves as unique ecosystems with high biological productivity and carbon sequestration potential.
• The 'Sustainable Aquaculture In Mangrove Ecosystem (SAIME)' initiative, initiated in 2019, is a community-based pilot project involving shrimp cultivation and mangrove restoration.
• Launched during the COP27 climate summit, the 'Mangrove Alliance for Climate' strives to globally educate and raise awareness about the role of mangroves in mitigating global warming.
• UNESCO observes the 'International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem' on July 26 to promote awareness and sustainable management of mangrove ecosystems.
• 'Mangroves for Future' led by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) & UNDP(United Nations Development Programme), is a partner-led initiative established in 2006 post the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami to encourage investment in coastal ecosystems.
• The 'National Coastal Mission Programme (NCM)' by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change focuses on the 'Conservation and Management of Mangroves and Coral Reefs.' Activities include mangrove and shelterbelt plantations, coral transplantation, and improving the livelihood security of coastal communities.
• The Government of India established the 'National Mangroves Committee' in 1976 to provide guidance on the conservation and development of mangroves.

Mangroves exhibit an impressive capacity to adjust and recover from the repercussions of climate change, such as rising sea levels and heightened storm intensity. They are pivotal contributors to coastal ecology and the coastal economy. Depletion of mangroves increases the risk of cyclonic damages. Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG-14) mandates nations to preserve and safeguard coastal resources. A comprehensive approach to mangrove restoration is imperative, fostering the active involvement of local coastal communities as collaborative stakeholders. The diverse governmental initiatives underscore the pivotal role of mangroves in maintaining ecological equilibrium and fostering sustainable development.