MANGROVES

• Mangroves are a special category of vegetation made up of salt-tolerant trees and shrubs that typically grow in coastal zones where freshwater from rivers and streams mixes with seawater — specifically in estuarine and intertidal environments.
• These plants are known for their specialized breathing or aerial roots and thick, waxy leaves, and they belong to the category of flowering plants.
• Mangroves flourish in regions that receive high annual rainfall ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 mm and have temperatures between 26°C and 35°C.
• A remarkable feature of mangroves is their method of reproduction. Their seeds, called propagules, begin germinating while still attached to the parent plant — a process termed vivipary.
• Once matured, these seedlings fall into the water and eventually establish themselves in muddy, sediment-rich environments. This adaptation enhances their survival in highly saline and unstable coastal conditions.
• Species like the red mangrove (Rhizophora), Avicennia marina, and the grey mangrove are among the commonly found varieties. These ecosystems are typically found in marshes and swamps and are classified as littoral forests, thriving in saline or brackish waters along coastal belts.

Mangrove Distribution in India

• Mangrove forests are found across 123 countries and territories, predominantly within tropical and subtropical latitudes.
• According to the Indian State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023, India’s mangrove cover stands at approximately 4,992 square kilometers, making up about 0.15% of the nation’s total geographical area.
• West Bengal leads with the most extensive mangrove area, particularly in the Sundarbans. Gujarat ranks second, with about 1,177 sq. km, especially concentrated around the Gulf of Kutch and Gulf of Khambhat. Within Gujarat, Kutch district alone accounts for nearly 794 sq. km, the highest in the state.
• Other Indian states with significant mangrove ecosystems include Andhra Pradesh (notably in the Godavari-Krishna delta), Kerala, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• The Sundarbans, extending across India and Bangladesh, represent the largest continuous mangrove forest on the planet and have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• This biodiverse region is home to iconic species such as the Royal Bengal tiger and Gangetic dolphin. In contrast, Bhitarkanika, the second largest mangrove area in India, is well known for hosting Olive Ridley turtles and saltwater crocodiles, both considered ecologically significant and vulnerable species

• As per UNESCO, mangrove forests—despite their ecological and economic importance—are vanishing at a rate three to five times faster than other global forest types. This alarming trend has far-reaching environmental and socio-economic consequences. Over the past four decades, global mangrove cover has been reduced by half.
• Multiple human-induced pressures such as deforestation, pollution, and the construction of dams significantly endanger these ecosystems.
• Additionally, climate change has emerged as a critical threat, intensifying the risks through rising sea levels and the increased frequency of extreme weather events like storms and cyclones.
• Studies suggest that as sea levels rise, mangroves naturally migrate inland. However, this landward shift is increasingly being obstructed by urban development, human settlements, and industrial infrastructure, leaving the mangroves with no space to adapt.
• This "coastal squeeze" could eventually lead to their irreversible decline, hampering both conservation and restoration efforts.
• According to research based on the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems, nearly one-third (33%) of the world’s mangrove habitats are currently at risk due to the impacts of climate change.
• The study highlights that preserving healthy mangrove ecosystems is vital to climate resilience, as they can better adapt to rising seas and provide natural protection to inland areas from storm surges, hurricanes, and cyclones

• Mangrove ecosystems are under significant stress due to rapid urban expansion, conversion of coastal areas for agriculture and shrimp farming, and the detrimental effects of rising sea surface temperatures. Additionally, unsustainable tourism activities have further exacerbated the degradation of these fragile habitats.
• On a positive note, the role of mangroves in climate change mitigation and adaptation is increasingly being acknowledged worldwide. Among notable international efforts are the Mangroves for the Future (MFF) initiative and the Mangrove Alliance for Climate, both of which focus on conservation and resilience-building.

6. Way forward

Identifying local and regional challenges is essential to developing targeted solutions. Ultimately, there is a need for a unified global action plan with clearly defined objectives to ensure the long-term survival of mangrove ecosystems and promote a sustainable and climate-resilient future