Mangroves are making a comeback, shows study

• Mangroves are unique ecosystems between land and sea. They support biodiversity, protect coastal communities, enhance food security, and act as natural defenses against storms and erosion. 

• Mangrove forests represent unique ecosystems along tropical and subtropical coastlines and estuaries. 

• Although comprising less than 1 per cent of the world’s tropical forests, they provide a vital lifeline for the estimated 2.4 billion people living within 100 kilometres of the coast, shielding shorelines from storms, erosion and flooding, filtering water, storing large amounts of carbon and supporting fisheries. 

• More than 1,500 species depend on mangroves as their habitat. 

• Yet mangroves are disappearing three to five times faster than overall global forest losses, with serious ecological and socio-economic impacts. 

• Current estimates indicate that mangrove coverage has been divided by two in the past 40 years.

• Since 2015, the UNESCO observes International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem on July 26 to raise awareness of mangroves’ importance and promote their sustainable conservation.

Important points on mangroves:

• Mangroves are repositories of rich biodiversity.

• Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees, also called halophytes, and are adapted to live in harsh coastal conditions. They contain a complex salt filtration system and a complex root system to cope with saltwater immersion and wave action. 

• They are adapted to the low-oxygen conditions of waterlogged mud, but are most likely to thrive in the upper half of the intertidal zone.

• Mangroves contribute to food security, wellbeing and protection of coastal communities. They serve as nurseries for fish and crustaceans, food for monkeys, deer, birds, kangaroos, and nectar for honeybees.

• Mangrove ecosystems are highly effective carbon sinks sequestering vast amounts of carbon within the soil, leaves, branches, roots, etc.

• One hectare of mangrove can store 3,754 tonnes of carbon. It is the equivalent of taking over 2,650 cars off the road for one year.

• If destroyed, degraded or lost, mangroves become sources of carbon dioxide. Experts estimate mangrove deforestation causes up to 10 per cent of global deforestation emissions, though mangroves cover only 0.7 per cent of land.

• Mangroves play an important role in reducing vulnerability to natural hazards and increasing resilience to climate change impacts.

• A 500-meter mangrove strip reduces wave heights by 50 to 99 per cent.

Global recovery of mangroves

• A global study that recently appeared in the journal Science offers one of the most encouraging conservation stories in recent years. 

• Using satellite imagery from the 1980s to 2023, researchers tracked annual changes in mangrove extent and canopy condition, finding that global losses have slowed dramatically while gains have increased. 

• It appears that natural regeneration and expansion are now offsetting much of the historical decline, suggesting that mangroves are far more resilient than previously believed. 

• The global recovery of mangroves shows that science-based conservation efforts led by local communities deliver results. However, future progress will depend on sustained investment, sustainable management and long-term protection.  

MISHTI programme in India

• The Indian government has taken a number of steps to protect and enhance mangrove forests in coastal states/Union Territories through promotional as well as regulatory measures. 

• The promotional measures are being implemented through a Central Sector Scheme namely ‘Conservation and Management of Mangroves and Coral Reefs’ under National Coastal Mission Programme of the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change.

• Union Budget 2023-24 announced ‘Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI)’ to promote and conserve mangroves as a unique, natural eco-system having very high biological productivity and carbon sequestration potential, besides working as a bio shield. 

• MISHTI envisages restoration/reforestation of mangroves covering approximately 540 sqkm, spreading across nine States and three Union Territories for a period of five years from 2023-24. 

• The states have also been encouraged to take activities under MISHTI through convergence with the existing schemes/programmes.