Mangroves Rise Again: India’s Coastal Shield Gets a Lifeline

Image Source : Dialogue Earth

India’s mangrove ecosystems, long undervalued yet vital to coastal resilience, are witnessing a revival through targeted restoration efforts across states like Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. These salt-tolerant forests are not only biodiversity hotspots but also natural buffers against cyclones, erosion, and tidal surges.

Key Developments

- Tamil Nadu nearly doubled its mangrove cover from 4,500 to over 9,000 hectares between 2021 and 2024, led by the Green Tamil Nadu Mission
- Restoration in Muthupettai estuary involved planting over 4.3 lakh Avicennia seeds and 6,000 Rhizophora propagules after canal dredging to restore tidal flow
- Chennai’s Kazhipattur region saw 12,500 seedlings planted to rebuild its cyclone shield
- Mumbai’s Thane Creek project, backed by Amazon’s Right Now Climate Fund, aims to plant 3.75 lakh saplings and intercept 150 tonnes of plastic using biodegradable trash booms
- Gujarat leads under the MISHTI scheme, planting over 19,000 hectares in two years, surpassing national targets

Why It Matters

- Mangroves store vast amounts of blue carbon, aiding climate mitigation
- They support fisheries, migratory birds, and local livelihoods
- Restoration projects are increasingly integrating community participation and scientific planning

Outlook

With climate threats mounting, India’s mangrove revival is more than ecological—it’s strategic. These efforts signal a shift toward nature-based solutions that blend conservation with socio-economic resilience.

Sources: The Hindu, Deccan Herald, MSSRF, InsightsonIndia, StriveEdgeIAS, Press Information Bureau India.