Mangrove Conservation in India: Success Stories and the Way Forward
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Environment & Ecology (Mangrove Ecosystems, Biodiversity, Blue Carbon, Conservation Schemes - MISHTI), Geography (Coastal ecosystems), Disaster Management.
Mains:
GS Paper 3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment; Disaster and disaster management.
GS Paper 1: Geographical features and their location- changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps).
Key Highlights from the News
Coastal Protection, Climate Change Mitigation, and Biodiversity Conservation: Mangroves play a crucial role in these areas.
Natural Barriers: Mangroves act as natural barriers, protecting coastal areas from natural disasters like cyclones and tsunamis.
Blue Carbon Ecosystems: They are called blue carbon ecosystems because they store large amounts of carbon.
Threat to Mangroves: According to the IUCN report, over 50% of mangroves worldwide are under threat of collapse by 2050 due to urbanization, aquaculture, and pollution.
Success Stories: Despite these threats, significant successes have been achieved in restoring mangroves in Tamil Nadu, Mumbai, and Gujarat.
Key Initiatives: The Green Tamil Nadu Mission in Tamil Nadu and the central government's Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) scheme play a major role.
Innovative Model in Mumbai: In Thane Creek, Mumbai, the use of biodegradable trash booms to prevent plastic pollution and the involvement of local communities, especially women, in conservation activities, is an innovative model.
Gujarat as a Model: Gujarat has become a model for the country in mangrove afforestation under the MISHTI scheme.
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