Mangroves: These ecosystems found mainly in the tropical and subtropical inter-tidal regions of the world. Mangrove, common name applied to several kinds of tropical flowering plants that are members of three different families. Mangroves are trees or shrubs that have the common trait of growing in shallow and muddy salt water or brackish waters, especially along quiet shorelines and in estuaries. Mangroves are woody plants that grow at the intertidal zones of sheltered shores, estuaries, tidal creeks, backwaters, lagoons, marshes and mudflats in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Mangroves are salt tolerant forest ecosystems, which stabilize the shoreline and act as bulwark against sea erosion.

Mangroves occur all along the Indian coastline comprising a total area of 6740 sq. kms, which is nearly seven percent of the world's mangrove areas. West Bengal has nearly half of the country’s mangroves followed by Gujarat and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Sunderbans, West Bengal have been included in the World List of Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO.

Sunderbans in West Bengal is the world's largest mangrove. The occurrence of super cyclone in Orissa in October 1999 re-emphasized the need to conserve and protect mangroves ecosystems. The five coastal states of West Bengal, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh,

Tamil Nadu and Gujarat have been identified as cyclone prone states and mangrove conservation programmes are being strengthened in these states.

Why Mangrove matters?

• Fisheries: Mangrove forests are home to a large variety of fish, crab, shrimp, and mollusk species. These fisheries form an essential source of food for thousands of coastal communities around the world. The forests also serve as nurseries for many fish species, including coral reef fish.
• Timber and plant products: Mangrove wood is resistant to rot and insects, making it extremely valuable. Many coastal and indigenous communities rely on this wood for construction material as well as for fuel.
• Coastal protection: The dense root systems of mangrove forests trap sediments flowing down rivers and off the land. This helps stabilizes the coastline and prevents erosion from waves and storms.
• By filtering out sediments, the forests also protect coral reefs and seagrass meadows from being smothered in sediment.
• Tourism: Given the diversity of life inhabiting mangrove systems, and their proximity in many cases to other tourist attractions such as coral reefs and sandy beaches, it is perhaps surprising that only a few countries have started to tap into the tourism potential of their mangrove forests.

Mangrove under threats

 Mangrove ecosystems have been subjected to various anthropogenic and biotic pressures resulting in habitat destruction, loss of biodiversity, affecting avifauna and their migration paths.

Unsustainable aquaculture, siltation, weed infestation, uncontrolled discharge of wastewater, industrial effluents, surface runoff, encroachment around these water bodies, etc. is resulting in shrinkage of mangrove area.

Bangladesh and India share the 26,000 sq km mangrove kingdom, which is vulnerable to climate change.

Effective measures

Ministry of Environment and Forests launched Mangrove Conservation programme in 1987 and, has so far, identified 35 mangrove areas for intensive conservation and management in the country.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests has established a National Mangrove Genetic Resources Centre in Orissa.

The national Green Tribunal Bill 2009: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) bill, 2009 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 31st July, 2009. The Bill provides for the establishment of a national Environment Tribunal for the effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources including enforcement of any legal right relating to environment and giving relief and compensation for damages to persons and property.

Mangroves for future programme

Mangroves for the Future (MFF) is a unique partner-led initiative to promote investment in coastal ecosystem conservation for sustainable development. Co-chaired by IUCN and UNDP, MFF provides a platform for collaboration among the many different agencies, sectors and countries which are addressing challenges to coastal ecosystem and livelihood issues. The goal is to promote an integrated ocean-wide approach to coastal management and to building the resilience of ecosystem-dependent coastal communities.

Mangroves are the flagship of the initiative, but MFF is inclusive of all types of coastal ecosystem, such as coral reefs, estuaries, lagoons, sandy beaches, seagrass and wetlands.

Objectives: Mangroves for future programme

To achieve its goal of conservation, restoration and sustainable management of coastal ecosystems as key natural infrastructure which support human well-being and security, MFF implements actions guided by three main objectives.

1. Improve, share and apply knowledge to support the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of coastal ecosystems.
2. Strengthen Integrated Coastal Management institutions and empower civil society (including local communities) to engage in decision-making and management that conserves, restores and sustainably uses coastal ecosystems.
3. Enhance coastal governance at all levels (regional, national, provincial, district and community) to encourage integrated management programmes and investments that are ecologically and socio-economically sound, and promote human well-being and security.

MFF’s Programme of Work in India

Comprised of a range of governmental departments, NGOs, intergovernmental organizations and academic institutions, MFF’s programme of work in India is overseen by a National Coordination Body (NCB). The National Strategy and Action Plan (NSAP) guides the work of the NCB. Details of India’s programme of work can be found in the revised draft NSAP, which is implemented with the support and active participation of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Government of India.

MFF in India primary focus is on improving the scientific knowledge base to feed into national policies for enhanced management of coastal and marine ecosystems. National and regional symposia supported by MFF have greatly contributed to this by establishing baseline database for coastal and marine ecosystems (specifically mangroves and coral reefs). Information sharing with civil societies is also helping to raise awareness about India’s valuable coastal resources.