Description

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Context:

Cyclone Dana, which made landfall close to Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port in Odisha did not cause significant damage as many had feared.

What are mangroves?

Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees and shrubs typical of estuarine and intertidal regions, meaning they grow in areas where freshwater and saltwater meet. Mangroves have aerial, breathing roots and waxy, succulent leaves, and are flowering plants.

The Sundarbans (spread across India and Bangladesh) is the largest contiguous mangrove forest in the world. Mangrove seedlings called propagules germinate on the parent tree before falling into the waters and growing into a mangrove tree again.

How Mangroves Reduced Cyclones?

Ecological Stabilisation	Maintain and build soil. Act as a reservoir for tertiary waste assimilation Protect against cyclones. Promote land accretion and fixation of mud banks. Dissipate wind, tidal, and wave energy.
Mangroves and Tides	The dense tangle of roots helps handle daily tidal rise and fall. Most mangroves are flooded at least twice a day.
Coastal Stabilisation	Stabilize the coastline. Reduce erosion from storm surges, currents, waves, and tides.
Water Purification	Improve water quality by absorbing nutrients from runoff. Prevent harmful algal blooms offshore. Support coral reefs and seagrass beds by keeping water clear and healthy.
Storing Blue Carbon	Mangroves represent less than 2% of marine environments but contribute 10-15% of carbon burial. Store "blue carbon" in soil after plant matter falls to the seafloor.
Supporting Biodiversity	Support a diverse array of wildlife, including birds, fish, invertebrates, mammals, and plants.

Government Measures

India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023	Mangrove cover in India increased by 17 sq km (0.34%) as compared to the previous assessment.
MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes)	Government-led initiative under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEF & CC) aimed at increasing mangrove cover along the coastline and saltpan lands, providing financial assistance to local communities.
Sustainable Aquaculture In Mangrove Ecosystem (SAIME)	Initiative promoting sustainable aquaculture using IMA (Integrated Mangrove Aquaculture) systems to build aquaculture farms that are mangrove-friendly.
Magical Mangroves Campaign	WWF India’s campaign to involve citizens from nine coastal states in mangrove conservation efforts.
National Coastal Mission Programme on ‘Conservation and Management of Mangroves and Coral Reefs’	Annual preparation of a Management Action Plan (MAP) for the conservation and management of mangroves and coral reefs under the National Coastal Mission Programme.
Awareness Campaigns	Conducting public awareness programs to educate people about the importance of mangroves and their role in environmental protection.

READ ABOUT

Mangroves

MANGROVES

Decline in mangroves

Cyclone Dana

Tropical cyclones

Source:

INDIAN EXPRESS

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Discuss the role of mangroves in reducing the impact of cyclones on coastal communities. Analyze the ecological and socio-economic benefits of mangrove conservation in the context of climate change and disaster resilience. (250 words)