Why in news?
India has launched large‑scale mangrove restoration projects in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Mumbai as part of its efforts to build natural barriers against storms, sea‑level rise and climate change. These initiatives underscore the ecological and economic importance of mangroves and the urgent need to reverse their decline.
Background and history
Mangroves are salt‑tolerant trees and shrubs that grow in tidal zones of tropical and subtropical coasts. India is home to roughly 4,900 km² of mangrove forests, with major tracts in the Sundarbans of West Bengal, the Mahanadi and Godavari deltas, Pichavaram in Tamil Nadu and the Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat. Historically, mangroves served as natural storm shields, nurseries for fish and sources of timber and honey for coastal communities. However, rapid urbanisation, aquaculture and pollution have destroyed many of these wetlands.
Why are mangroves important?
- Protection from disasters: Dense mangrove roots dissipate wave energy during cyclones and tsunamis, protecting lives and property inland. During the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, villages shielded by mangroves suffered far less damage than those without them.
- Climate regulation: Mangrove soils store large amounts of “blue carbon.” They absorb carbon dioxide much more efficiently than many terrestrial forests, helping to mitigate climate change.
- Biodiversity: These ecosystems provide breeding grounds for fish, crabs, birds and even tigers in the Sundarbans. They support livelihoods such as fishing, crab catching and honey gathering.
Threats
- Coastal development often clears mangroves for roads, ports and real‑estate projects, eliminating natural buffers.
- Untreated sewage, plastic waste and industrial effluents choke mangrove roots and reduce regeneration.
- Shrimp farms and salt pans have replaced mangroves in many parts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
- Climate change leads to rising sea levels and erratic rainfall, altering the delicate balance of fresh and saline water on which mangroves depend.
- Invasive species such as Prosopis juliflora crowd out native mangrove species.
Indian restoration efforts
- The Green Tamil Nadu Mission doubled mangrove cover in the state between 2021 and 2024 by re‑excavating canals and planting native seedlings.
- At the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation’s Muthupettai Estuary project, villagers and forest officers restored around 115 hectares by planting hundreds of thousands of Avicennia seeds.
- In Mumbai, the Thane Creek restoration combines planting 3.75 lakh saplings with plastic waste collection, providing employment for local women.
- Gujarat’s MISHTI initiative has created over 19,000 hectares of new mangroves in two years, surpassing national targets.
- Many projects involve women’s self‑help groups, linking ecological work to livelihoods and empowerment.
Way forward
- Mangrove protection should be integrated into urban planning and coastal regulation zones so that infrastructure development does not destroy natural defences.
- Local communities need to be part of planning, seed collection and monitoring. Their traditional knowledge and vested interest ensure continuity.
- Drones, satellite imagery and artificial intelligence can monitor mangrove health and guide restoration more efficiently.
- Coastal cities should include mangrove buffers in their flood management plans, especially in cyclone‑prone areas.
- India could collaborate with other tropical countries to share best practices and explore blue‑carbon markets that reward conservation efforts.
Conclusion
Mangroves are nature’s frontline guards against climate disasters. Restoring and protecting them safeguards coastal ecosystems, strengthens local economies and contributes to global climate goals. India’s recent initiatives show that with community participation and scientific planning, degraded mangroves can be revived.