Mangrove Forest Cover Increase

General Studies Paper-3

Context: 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.

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.