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Mangroves Conservation
Context
Tamil Nadu’s mangrove forest cover has nearly doubled in just a few years, growing from 4,500 hectares in 2021 to 9,039 hectares in 2024. This increase is due to both new plantations and conservation efforts aimed at protecting existing mangroves. A recent report by Anna University’s Centre for Climate Change and Disaster Management highlights this expansion and its impact on carbon storage, climate resilience, and biodiversity.
What are Mangroves?
- Mangroves are tropical treesthat thrive in conditions most timber could never tolerate — salty, coastal waters, and the interminable ebb and flow of the tide.
- Mangrove forests only grow at tropical and subtropical latitudes near the equator because they cannot withstand freezing temperatures.
- Over 50% of India’s mangrove ecosystems are classified as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered, with South India’s mangroves now labeled “critically endangered” by the IUCN
- Major threats include aquaculture expansion, urbanization, and reduced freshwater flow due to upstream activities like dam construction and water diversion.
- India has lost approximately 7.43 sq km of mangrove cover since 2021, with states like Gujarat and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands experiencing significant declines.
- Significance of Mangroves:
- Mangrove forests stabilize the coastline, reducing erosion from storm surges, currents, waves, and tides.
- They have the ability to store vast amounts of carbon, thus, they are key weapons in the fight against climate change.
- The intricate root system of mangrovesalso makes these forests attractive to fish and other organisms seeking food and shelter from predators.
Mangroves in India:
Schemes/Initiatives to conserve Mangroves
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