Description

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Context:

The Sundarbans in India and Bangladesh are the world’s largest stretch of mangrove forests — one of the most productive ecosystems on earth, acting as the first line of defence against cyclones.

About Sundarbans

Category	Details
Location	Located on the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna Rivers in the Bay of Bengal
Type of Ecosystem	Mangrove ecosystem, a specialized environment between the ground and sea in tropical and subtropical areas
Significance	A natural habitat for many rare and endangered species, such as the Estuarine Crocodile, Water Monitor, Ganges Dolphin, and Olive Ridley Tortoise
Protection Status	40% in India, 60% in Bangladesh UNESCO World Heritage Site (India, 1987; Bangladesh, 1997) Ramsar Wetland of International Importance (India, January 2019)
Project Tiger	Preserves the Sundarbans ecosystem by protecting the Royal Bengal Tigers
India-Bangladesh Cooperation	2011 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between India and Bangladesh to protect the Sundarbans
Biosphere Reserve	Sundarbans is a Biosphere Reserve (BR)
Protected Areas in India	Sundarbans National Park Sundarbans East Wildlife Sanctuary Sundarbans South Wildlife Sanctuary Sundarbans West Wildlife Sanctuary
Protected Areas in Bangladesh	Sundarbans Reserve Forest

What are mangroves, and why are they important?

Mangrove is a type of trees that grow in a medium salt environment near the mouth of rivers along the coast because they can tolerate frequent floods and are able to obtain fresh water from rivers and nutrients from salt water.

Mangroves are the only kind of trees that can thrive in salty water near the sea. According to a Global Mangrove Alliance report on the Sundarbans, “Threatened and endangered wildlife — like the Bengal tiger, Irrawaddy river dolphin, finless porpoise, and estuarine crocodile — live here. It is also a nursery for 90% of the aquatic species on the East coast of India and serves as a bio-shield for the fierce waves and winds of coastal storms.”

Features

They are vegetable plant species with roots hanging in water because they grow in very high waters of salinity, they are adapted to the condition and are resistant to salt.
They can secrete salt from their leaves to balance salt intake.
They developed roots carrying pneumatophores (or roots of air).
These forests are also quite resistant to high temperatures.
They show the viviparous method of reproduction. The distribution of mangroves in the world occurs in warmer areas between 32 degrees to the north and 38 degrees to the southern width.

Importance

Feature	Description
Productivity	Very productive ecosystem rich in biodiversity.
Marine Species Shelter	Provides shelter for a wide range of marine species, serving as a nursery for young sea animals.
Species Diversity	Home to fish, reptiles (sea turtles, terrestrial turtles, alligators, crocodiles, snakes, lizards), invertebrates (shrimp, crabs, oysters, snails, insects).
Root System	Strong root systems capture and hold sediments, stabilizing the coast.
Coastal Protection	Prevents erosion caused by waves and storms, protecting the coast.
Cyclone and Storm Protection	Acts as a buffer against cyclones and storm surges, reducing damage.
Resistance to Tidal Waves	Regularly experiences tidal waves and remains resistant to them.

Threats to Mangroves

Issue	Details
Lack of Fresh Water	Rivers are predominantly salty, affecting the ecosystem and livelihoods. Fresh groundwater is found deeper than 250 meters, with some groundwater being saline. Very little fresh water enters the Sundarbans system.
Pollution and Erosion	Pollution from microplastics, industrial chemicals, and waste disposal threatens the ecosystem. 4 million tons of microplastics enter the Sundarbans annually from rivers in Bangladesh and India. Erosion and forest resource use exacerbate the situation.
Increase in Sea Level	Sea levels are rising almost twice as fast as other coastal regions. Increased frequency and intensity of cyclones threaten carbon sequestration and other ecosystem services. Climate change accelerates temperature rise, sea levels, and biodiversity changes.
Human-Wildlife Conflict	Conflict between humans and animals, especially tigers, poses safety challenges for local communities and protection efforts.
Contamination	Pollution from chemicals like hydrocarbons and naval colors from Mongla port (Bangladesh) and Indian leather factories contaminate the ecosystem.

Measures taken to Conserve Mangroves

Initiative	Key Details
State of Forest Reports (ISFR) 2023	Mangrove coverage increased by 17 km (0.34%) compared to previous evaluation.
Mishti (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Mingingible Revenue)	Government initiative under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEF & CC). Aims to increase mangrove coverage along the coast and salty soil. Provides financial assistance for local communities to perform mangrove plantations.
SAIME (Sustainable Aquaculture in Mangrove Ecosystems)	Focus on building aquaculture farms using Integrated Mangrove Aquaculture (IMA) systems to ensure sustainability.
Magic Mangrove	WWF India’s campaign to raise awareness about mangrove protection in nine coastal states.
National Coast Program: Protection and Management of Mangroves and Coral Reefs	Preparation of an annual action plan for the protection and management of mangroves and coral reefs.

Conclusion

Mangroves are indispensable ecosystems that provide a number of ecological, economic and social benefits. However, they are under significant threat of human activities and climate change. Understanding their importance and implementation of effective protection strategies is essential for their protection and sustainable use.

Source:

Indian Express

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Mangroves are crucial to coastal ecosystems and provide numerous ecological, economic, and social benefits. Discuss the importance of mangrove ecosystems in India, the challenges they face, and the government initiatives for their conservation and sustainable management. (250 words)