Rising tides, rooted solutions
- February 3, 2024
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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Rising tides, rooted solutions
Subject: Environment
Sec: Ecosystem
Mangroves:
- Mangroves, with their unique ability to thrive in brackish waters where the sea meets freshwater, form a crucial barrier between land and sea, hosting a rich biodiversity and providing vital ecosystem services.
- These trees and shrubs (found in tropical and subtropical regions) are adapted to live in the intertidal zone with complex root systems that stabilize soil and cope with varying salinity levels, making them some of the most productive wetlands. Despite their importance, mangroves face threats from habitat loss, climate change, and anthropogenic activities.
Mangroves in India:
- According to the Indian State Forest Report 2021, the Mangrove cover in India is 4992 sq. Km which is 0.15% of the country’s total geographical area.
- Sundarbans in West Bengal are the largest mangrove forest regions in the world. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Besides the Sundarbans, the Andamans region, the Kachchh and Jamnagar areas in Gujarat too have substantial mangrove cover.
- The country’s mangrove ecosystems are categorized into Deltaic mangroves on the east coast, influenced by large river deltas, and Non-Deltaic and Island mangroves on the west coast and islands, respectively.
- The east coast has more extensive mangrove areas due to broader river deltas like the Ganga and Brahmaputra, contributing to richer mangrove biodiversity in comparison to the narrower estuaries of the west coast.
- India stands out globally for its mangrove species richness, hosting over 4107 species, including 925 plant and 3182 animal species, underscoring the critical need for conservation efforts to protect these vital ecosystems from ongoing threats.
International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem:
- It is celebrated every year on 26 July and aims to raise awareness of the importance of mangrove ecosystems as “a unique, special and vulnerable ecosystem” and to promote solutions for their sustainable management, conservation and uses.
- This International Day was adopted by the General Conference of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2015.
How do mangroves impact human well-being?
- Mangroves play a crucial role in supporting food security and livelihoods for communities through the aquaculture industry, acting as nurseries for fish species vital for global fisheries.
- They provide a range of food products and have significant medicinal and economic value.
- Beyond their role in supporting biodiversity and local economies, mangroves act as a natural barrier against extreme weather events, reducing wave height and protecting coastal regions from cyclones and tsunamis, thus earning the title of a ‘bio shield’.
- Their effectiveness in mitigating natural disasters has been underscored by instances like the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami and Cyclone Gaja in 2018, where mangroves significantly reduced damage and saved lives.
- The importance of mangroves in coastal protection is increasingly recognized, especially in the context of climate change and its associated impacts.
- However, the protective capacity of mangroves depends on factors such as the age and density of the forest, highlighting the need for conservation and restoration efforts to maintain and enhance these vital ecosystems.
Coastal metropolises are losing their mangroves:
- Indian metropolises like Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata, located along the country’s extensive coastline, are highly vulnerable to climate change-induced hazards such as sea level rise, coastal erosion, flooding, and storm surges.
Government Initiatives Related to Mangrove Conservation:
- MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes)
- Sustainable Aquaculture In Mangrove Ecosystem (SAIME) initiative
Source: Mongabay