Restoring Mangroves in India | Coastal Protection, Biodiversity & Climate Resilience

India boosts mangrove restoration in Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Mumbai to protect coasts, fight climate change, and support marine biodiversity. Learn about mangrove ecosystems, threats, and nationwide conservation efforts like MISHTI and Green Tamil Nadu Mission.

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Context

  • India has launched major mangrove restoration drives across Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Mumbai to fight climate risks. These efforts enhance coastal security, biodiversity, and climate resilience amid rising ecological threats.

About Restoring Mangroves to Secure India’s Coast

About Mangroves

  • Mangrove is a type of tree species that grow in intertidal salty environments near the mouths of the delta of rivers along the coasts because they can tolerate frequent flooding and are able to obtain fresh water from rivers and also the nutrients required from salt water.

Features of Mangrove

  • They are salt-tolerant plant species with roots dangling down into the water.
  • Since they grow in very high salinity waters, they are adapted to the condition and are salt tolerant.
  • They can secrete salt from their leaves to balance the salt intake.
  • They have developed roots bearing pneumatophore (or aerial roots).
  • These forests are also become quite resistant to high temperatures.
  • They exhibit a viviparous mode of reproduction.

Mangrove Distribution In India

  • In India, they are found all along the Indian coastline in sheltered estuaries, tidal creeks, backwaters, and salt marshes.
  • Some of the largest mangrove forests in the world are found in the alluvial deltas of Ganga, Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery and in the islands of Andaman and Nicobar.

STATE/UNION TERRITORIES

MANGROVE AREAS

West Bengal

Sunderbans

Orissa

Bhitarkanika, Mahanadi, Subernarekha, Devi, Chilka, Dhamra, Mangrove Genetic Resources Centre

Andhra Pradesh

Coringa, East Godavari, Krishna

Tamil Nadu

Pichavaram, Muthupet, Ramnad, Pulicat, Kazhuveli

Andaman and Nicobar

North Andamans, Nicobar

Kerala

Vembanad, Kannur (Northern Kerala)

Karnataka

Coondapur, Dakshin Kannada/Honnavar, Karwar, Manglore Forest Division

Goa

Goa

Maharashtra

Achra-Ratnagiri, Devgarh-Vijay Durg, Veldur, Kundalika-Revdanda, Mumbra-Diva, Vikroli, Shreevardhan, Vaitarna, Vasai-Manori, Malvan

Gujarat

Gulf of Kutchh, Gulf of Khambat


Significance of Mangroves

  • They are a very productive ecosystem and highly rich in biodiversity
  • They provide shelter for a wide variety of marine species and serve as important nursery areas for young marine animals.
    • They are home to a wide variety of fish, reptiles such as sea turtles, land turtles, alligators, crocodiles, caimans, snakes, and lizards and invertebrates such as shrimp, crabs, oysters, tunicates, sponges, snails, and insects.
  • Their dense root systems trap and hold sediments flowing down rivers and off the land.
  • It stabilises the coastline and prevents erosion from waves and storms.

Threats to Mangroves

  • City expansion leads to mangrove clearance for roads, ports, and real estate, destroying natural buffers.
  • Rivers and drains dump waste into mangrove zones, reducing regeneration and harming aquatic life
  • Shrimp farms in coastal areas have replaced native mangrove habitats, especially in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
  • Sea-level rise and erratic rainfall alter tidal patterns and increase salinity, damaging delicate mangrove systems.

Efforts at Conservation of Mangroves

  • Mangrove cover doubled from 4,500 to 9,000 ha (2021–24) via canal reworking and native seed planting under Green Tamil Nadu Mission
  • Over 19,000 ha of mangroves planted in 2 years, exceeding national targets under MISHTI Initiative in Gujrat.
  • Thane Creek Project: ₹10.3 crore project to plant 3.75 lakh mangrove saplings and intercept 150 tonnes of plastic over 3 years in Mumbai.

Conclusion

  • Mangroves are nature’s frontline defense for coastal India, blending ecology with economy. Their restoration secures biodiversity, climate resilience, and community livelihoods. India must scale scientific, community-led models to protect these green sentinels.


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