Mangroves in India
Mangroves serve as critical ecological barriers between the land and sea, offering vital functions in climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and community empowerment. These forested wetlands are essential for coastal protection from natural disasters like cyclones, tidal surges, and erosion, as evidenced by their role during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and recurring cyclones.
Ecological and Socioeconomic Importance
- Mangroves provide breeding grounds for various marine species including fish and migratory birds.
- They significantly contribute to blue carbon sequestration, mitigating climate change by trapping carbon dioxide.
- Covering over 4,900 sq. km across multiple Indian states, mangroves are integral to the livelihoods of coastal communities, especially traditional fishers and honey gatherers.
Threats and Global Concerns
- Mangroves face threats from urban expansion, aquaculture, pollution, and climate change.
- Globally, over half of mangrove ecosystems are at risk of collapse by 2050 according to IUCN.
Restoration Efforts
Despite challenges, India is witnessing inspiring efforts to protect and revive mangrove ecosystems:
- Tamil Nadu: Initiatives like the Green Tamil Nadu Mission have doubled mangrove areas from 4,500 to over 9,000 hectares (2021-2024).
- Muthupettai Estuary: Successful regeneration through community engagement and scientific planning with over 4.3 lakh Avicennia seeds planted.
- Chennai: Restoration near Buckingham Canal involved planting 12,500 mangrove seedlings, aiming to restore natural shields against cyclones.
- Mumbai: A $1.2 million restoration project along Thane Creek aims to plant 3.75 lakh mangrove saplings and remove plastic pollution.
- Gujarat: Under the government's Mangrove Initiative, more than 19,000 hectares have been planted, surpassing targets and enhancing coastal resilience.
Conclusion
These efforts illustrate that mangrove conservation is achievable and imperative. As developmental pressures increase, protecting and restoring mangroves is crucial—they are vital for storm defense, fishery shelters, and carbon storage.