Syllabus :GS 3/Environment
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Tamil Nadu’s mangrove forest cover has nearly doubled from 4,500 ha in 2021 to 9,039 ha in 2024, due to new plantations and preservation of existing mangroves.
Mangroves
- Mangroves are salt-tolerant plants found in tropical and subtropical intertidal regions, providing refuge for coastal biodiversity and acting as bio-shields against extreme climatic events.
- They are adapted to thrive in coastal regions with brackish water and wet, loose soil.
- They have tangled prop roots that help them survive tides and capture sediments while slowing water flow.
Importance
- Climate Change Mitigation: Mangroves stabilize coastlines, reduce erosion, encourage biodiversity, and protect coastal communities from sea-level rise and natural disasters.
- Carbon Sinks: Mangroves store carbon at up to four times the rate of terrestrial forests, making them vital for achieving net zero emissions .
- Ecosystem and Habitat Support: Mangroves support interconnected terrestrial, freshwater, and marine habitats, including species like Royal Bengal Tigers and river dolphins.
- They capture sediments, create fertile lands, and help marine life thrive by making water clearer.
- Disaster Risk Reduction: Mangroves act as the first line of defense against tropical storms, cyclones, and hurricanes, slowing down winds and minimizing land impact.
- Socio-economic Importance: Mangroves provide critical jobs and protein for millions of small-scale fishers worldwide
- They are also important for sustainable timber and fuelwood collection.
| Do you know ? – The Bay of Bengal coastline is home to India’s largest mangrove forest with 60 per cent of its mangrove cover concentrated there because of the Sundarbans. – The Arabian Sea coast accounts for 27 per cent of mangrove area while the Andaman and Nicobar Islands account for 13 per cent. – The Sundarbans in West Bengal is the largest mangrove region in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It spans from the Hooghly River in West Bengal to the Baleswar River in Bangladesh. 1. India’s Sunderbans mangroves are a biodiversity hotspot, home to endangered species like the Royal Bengal Tiger, fishing cats, and macaques. |
Threats
- The mangrove ecosystem faces pressures from population growth, land demand, and the need for resources like timber, fodder, fuel-wood, and fisheries.
- Aquaculture and fisheries obstructing tidal flow are significant threats to mangrove ecosystems.
- Agricultural and industrial activities in Coastal Regulation Zone areas have led to mangrove destruction.
Steps
- MISHTI Initiative: The government’s MISHTI initiative, aiming for large-scale mangrove plantation,is implemented through the MGNREGS, CAMPA Fund, and other sources.
- The MISHTI initiative aligns with India’s Nationally Determined Contributions to create an additional 2.5-3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent carbon sink by 2030.
- Mangrove Alliance for Climate : India joined the Mangrove Alliance for Climate at the 27th Conference of the Parties in Egypt to address climate change.
Suggestions and Way Forward
- Mangroves play a crucial role in global conservation efforts by storing significant amounts of carbon, helping mitigate climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Mangroves are key guardians of coasts and essential for the environment and communities, making their conservation a necessary priority.
- There is a need to promote sustainable livelihoods such as eco-tourism and carbon credit programs, as well as district-specific planning for the preservation and expansion of mangrove ecosystems.
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