Context:
India has launched large-scale mangrove restoration drives across Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Mumbai to enhance coastal security, biodiversity, and climate resilience in the face of escalating ecological threats.
What Are Mangroves?
- Mangroves are salt-tolerant coastal forests thriving in tropical and subtropical tidal zones.
- Mangroves serve as vital natural bio-shields by absorbing the impact of tidal surges, cyclones, storm waves, and coastal erosion through their dense and interlinked root systems.
- India’s Mangrove Coverage: ~4,900 sq. km.
- Major Regions: Sundarbans (West Bengal), Pichavaram (Tamil Nadu), Mahanadi & Godavari deltas (Odisha & Andhra), Gulf of Kutch (Gujarat).
Ecological and Climate Importance
- Disaster Mitigation: Natural barriers against cyclones, floods, and tidal surges.
- Blue Carbon Sink: High carbon storage in roots and sediments.
- Biodiversity Hotspot: Habitat for flamingos, herons, mudskippers, and crustaceans.
Major Threats to Mangroves
- Urbanisation: Encroachment for roads, ports, and housing.
- Pollution: Waste and plastics reduce regeneration capacity.
- Aquaculture: Shrimp farms replacing native mangrove belts.
- Climate Change: Salinity shifts, sea-level rise, and erratic rainfall patterns.
- Invasive Species: Prosopis juliflora displacing native vegetation.
State-Led Restoration Efforts
- Tamil Nadu – Green Tamil Nadu Mission:
- Mangrove cover doubled from 4,500 ha to 9,000 ha (2021–24).
- Canal desiltation and Avicennia seed planting in Muthupettai Estuary (115 ha).
- Maharashtra – Thane Creek Project:
- ₹10.3 crore budget to plant 3.75 lakh saplings and remove 150 tonnes of plastic in 3 years.
- Women-led workforce ensures sustainability and employment.
- Gujarat – MISHTI Scheme Front-runner:
- Over 19,000 ha restored in two years, surpassing national targets.
Strategic and Socioeconomic Benefits
- Disaster Resilience: Mitigated tsunami impact (2004) and recent cyclone damages.
- Livelihood Source: Supports fishing, honey gathering, crab farming.
- Carbon Efficiency: Absorbs CO₂ at higher rates than terrestrial forests.
- Eco-Tourism Potential: Sites in Sundarbans and Gujarat attract tourists and promote conservation awareness.
