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Mangrove Restoration in India

31 Jul 2025 GS 3 Environment
Mangrove Restoration in India Click to view full image

What are Mangroves?

  • Forested wetlands with trees tolerant to saline water.

  • Act as natural barriers: protect from cyclones, tidal surges, erosion.

  • Help reduce damage during disasters (e.g., 2004 tsunami, Bay of Bengal cyclones).

  • Provide breeding grounds for fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and migratory birds.

  • Store blue carbon — mitigating climate change.

Mangroves in India

  • Total area: ~4,900 sq. km.

  • Found in: West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Karnataka,Maharastra,goa.

  • Vital to coastal communities — livelihoods, fishing, honey gathering.

  • Threats: urban expansion, aquaculture, pollution, climate change.

  • Global status: Over 50% at risk of collapse by 2050 (IUCN report).

      

India’s Restoration Efforts

Tamil Nadu:

  • Success under Green Tamil Nadu Mission and other restoration schemes.

  • Mangrove cover doubled: from 4,500 ha to 9,000 ha (2021–2024).

  • Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Cuddalore — key districts.

  • Pattuvanachi Estuary Restoration:

    • By M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (2017).

    • Dug 19 canals, planted 4.3 lakh Avicennia & 6,000 Rhizophora.

  • Kazhipattur (Chennai):

    • Removed Prosopis juliflora weed.

    • Planted 12,500 mangrove seedlings (5 species) in 2024.

Mumbai (Maharashtra):

  • Project by Amazon Right Now Climate Fund + BMC + Hasten Regeneration (2025).

  • ₹10.3 crore project to restore Thane Creek:

    • Install trash booms to stop plastic (target: 150 tonnes in 3 years).

    • Plant 3.75 lakh mangrove saplings.

    • Provide jobs to local women for planting & maintenance.

Gujarat:

  • Success under MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes).

  • 19,000+ hectares restored in 2 years — fastest in India.

  • Focus on Kutch & Saurashtra.

  • Promotes ecotourism, local livelihoods, biodiversity, & blue carbon goals.

  • Gujarat holds 23.6% of India’s total mangroves.

Why Mangrove Conservation Matters

  • Coastal shield against storms and disasters.

  • Key to climate resilience and biodiversity.

  • Support traditional livelihoods.

  • Store carbon and help in climate mitigation.

  • India is at the forefront of mangrove restoration with strong government, community, and corporate support.

  • Restoration efforts in Tamil Nadu, Mumbai, and Gujarat show mangroves can thrive with strategic support.

  • Urgent action is needed as climate change and development threaten coastal ecosystems.



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