About

• Mangroves are salt-tolerant woody plants adapted to intertidal environments.
• They occur mainly along sheltered tropical and subtropical coasts, particularly in estuaries, deltas, tidal creeks, lagoons, backwaters and mudflats.
• They form an ecological link between terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
• Mangrove growth requires an appropriate combination of saline/freshwater conditions, tidal influence and soft, waterlogged substrates.

Ecological & Economic Significance

• Coastal protection: Reduce the impact of waves, storm surges and cyclones and help control coastal erosion.
• Biodiversity: Provide habitat and breeding/nursery grounds for fish, prawns, crabs, molluscs and birds.
• Sediment trapping: Their complex root systems trap sediments and contribute to shoreline stabilisation.
• Carbon sequestration: Mangroves are important blue-carbon ecosystems, with substantial carbon stored in their biomass and sediments.
• Livelihoods: Support fisheries, honey collection, fuelwood and other ecosystem-dependent activities.
• Disaster resilience: Function as natural buffers against coastal hazards.

Mangroves in India

India’s mangroves occur along 12 coastal States/UTs. Major regions include:

• West Bengal: Sundarbans
• Gujarat: Gulf of Kachchh
• Odisha: Bhitarkanika and Mahanadi delta
• Andhra Pradesh: Godavari–Krishna delta
• Tamil Nadu: Pichavaram, Muthupet
• Maharashtra: Mumbai–Thane region and Konkan coast
• Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Indian State of Forest Report 2023

• According to India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023, India has 4,991.68 km² of mangrove cover, constituting approximately 0.15% of the country’s geographical area.
• West Bengal has the largest share of India’s mangrove cover at 42.45%.
• Gujarat ranks second with 23.32%.
• Andaman & Nicobar Islands account for 12.19%.
• Andhra Pradesh accounts for 8.44%.
• Maharashtra accounts for 6.31%.
• Odisha accounts for 5.19%.
• India’s mangrove cover declined by 7.43 km² compared with 2021.