Description

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Context

Gujarat leads India mangrove afforestation planting 19,020 hectares in two years under MISHTI scheme & state is ahead of targets covering 190 sq. km towards national goal of 540 sq. km.

Key Highlights

Gujarat has emerged as leader in India mangrove afforestation efforts making significant strides under central government MISHTI scheme.

Central government has set national goal to plant 540 sq. km of mangroves in five years. Gujarat having already planted 190 sq. km of mangroves in just two years has significantly contributed to national objective.

Gujarat’s environmental conservation efforts align with the state broader vision of Viksit Gujarat to Viksit Bharat.

Distribution of Mangrove Forests in Gujarat

Kutch: Kutch contributes significantly to Gujarat mangrove coverage with 799 sq. km of mangrove forest. This area is part of the Gulf of Kutch home to the Marine National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary rich ecosystem that supports biodiversity & acts as a vital barrier against coastal erosion.

Gulf of Kutch & Other Regions: Gulf of Kutch along with districts like Jamnagar, Rajkot (Morbi), Porbandar, Devbhoomi Dwarka accounts for 236 sq. km of mangrove forest.

Central and Southern Belt: spanning Bhavnagar, Ahmedabad, Anand, Bharuch, Surat, Navsari, Valsad holds 134 sq. km of mangroves. Critical areas include Gulf of Khambhat & Dumas-Ubhrat which are essential for preventing erosion as well as supporting marine life.

Saurashtra: including Amreli, Junagadh, Gir-Somnath contributes 6 sq. km of mangrove cover. Although moderate this area remains vital for local ecosystem & region resilience against cyclones.

Role of Mangroves in Coastal Ecosystems

Coastal Protection:

Mangroves act as natural barriers against coastal erosion & flooding protecting human settlements & agricultural lands from damaging effects of storms as well as cyclones.

Biodiversity Support:

Mangroves are rich ecosystems that provide habitats for various marine species including fish, crabs, mollusks. These forests are especially critical in providing breeding grounds for many marine species.

Sustaining Coastal Livelihoods:

Mangrove forests support local livelihoods by facilitating sustainable fishing, protecting aquaculture as well as providing resources such as timber, honey, medicinal plants.

Climate Change Mitigation:

Mangroves absorb & store carbon acting as a crucial tool in combating climate change. Their preservation & expansion help mitigate rising carbon emissions.

Salinity Control:

During storms or high tides mangroves help control rising salinity levels protecting agriculture & freshwater resources from saltwater intrusion.

Mishti Scheme

Aspect	Details
Full Form	Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI)
Objective	To conserve and restore mangrove ecosystems along the Indian coastline while improving the socio-economic conditions of local communities.
Implementing Agency	Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
Partners	Mangroves for the Future (MFF) Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Funding	80% of the project cost is borne by the Government of India, while the remaining 20% is contributed by the respective State Governments.
Target Area	Coastal areas and salt pan lands in the States of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.
Community Participation	Local communities are actively involved in the implementation of the scheme, with technical assistance and training provided by ICFRE.
Impact	Increased mangrove cover in target areas. Improvement in socio-economic conditions of local communities. Mitigation of the impact of natural disasters.
Future Plans	Expansion of the scheme to other coastal areas in the country. Promotion of alternative livelihood options for local communities.

Mangroves in India

Aspect	Details
Total Mangrove Area	Approximately 4,921 sq. km (as per the 2021 Forest Survey of India report).
States with Mangroves	Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, Karnataka, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep.
Mangrove Ecosystems	Mangroves are found along the coastlines of India, with significant ecosystems in coastal areas and islands, providing habitats for various species of flora and fauna.
Important Mangrove Sites	Sundarbans (West Bengal): The largest mangrove forest in India and the world, home to the Royal Bengal Tiger. Gulf of Kutch (Gujarat): Significant mangrove cover. Madhav National Park (Madhya Pradesh): Known for mangrove and wildlife conservation.
Mangrove Species	India is home to 39 species of mangroves including: Rhizophora mucronata (Red Mangrove) Avicennia marina (Black Mangrove) Ceriops tagal (Yellow Mangrove)
Ecological Importance	Protect coastal areas from erosion and storm surges. Provide breeding grounds for fish, shrimp, and other marine life. Act as carbon sinks, helping mitigate climate change.
Conservation Efforts	Government initiatives like the National Mangrove Conservation Programme (NMCP) and Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) focus on conserving and expanding mangrove cover.
Threats to Mangroves	Coastal development and urbanization. Pollution and oil spills. Climate change, especially sea-level rise. Overexploitation of resources like timber and firewood.
Mangrove Restoration	Various programs are underway for mangrove restoration, including afforestation efforts, research, and community involvement. The MISHTI scheme is one such initiative focusing on shoreline habitats.
Economic Role	Provide livelihood support to coastal communities through resources like fish, honey, and timber. Tourism potential due to rich biodiversity.

Key Laws and Regulations concerning Mangrove Protection

Law/Regulation	Purpose	Mangrove Relevance	Key Provisions
Environment Protection Act, 1986	To provide a framework for environmental protection.	Grants authority to protect coastal ecosystems, including mangroves.	Empowers the government to control pollution and destruction of natural habitats.
Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980	Regulates diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes.	Mangrove areas are considered forest land and require clearance for non-forest use.	No diversion of forest land without approval; protects mangrove forests.
Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2011	Regulates activities along India's coastline.	Protects mangroves from degradation by restricting construction and industrial activities in sensitive coastal areas.	Mangrove areas are fully protected under CRZ I, with regulations for CRZ II and III zones.
National Wildlife Protection Act, 1972	Protects wildlife and establishes protected areas.	Mangrove areas, as biodiversity hotspots, are often designated as protected areas.	Prohibits hunting, grazing, and resource collection in protected areas.
Biological Diversity Act, 2002	Provides legal framework for conservation of biodiversity.	Promotes mangrove conservation as part of India's biodiversity.	Mandates biodiversity management plans, including for mangroves.
Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017	Ensures conservation of wetlands.	Mangroves are part of India’s coastal wetlands, and these rules protect them from degradation.	Prohibits reclamation and degradation; focuses on wetland restoration.
Forest Rights Act, 2006	Recognizes the rights of forest dwellers, including in coastal regions.	Ensures local communities can participate in mangrove conservation and sustainable resource use.	Secures rights of local tribal and forest-dwelling communities.
National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)	A framework for addressing climate change impacts.	Promotes the protection of mangroves as part of climate change mitigation efforts.	Includes mangrove conservation for carbon sequestration and climate resilience.
Indian Forest Act, 1927	Regulates forest management and conservation.	Governs the protection of mangrove forests in India’s coastal areas.	Provides a framework for forest conservation, including mangroves.
Mangrove Conservation Project	Directly focuses on the conservation of mangrove ecosystems.	Aims to restore and conserve mangrove forests across the country.	Focuses on afforestation, restoration, and community involvement in mangrove conservation.

Sources:

THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Assess role of mangroves in climate change mitigation and coastal protection. Critically analyse effectiveness of India's policies especially MISHTI initiative in conserving mangrove ecosystems. 250 words