India’s Mangrove Cover and Conservation

India’s vital mangrove ecosystems are showing encouraging signs of growth, with the latest India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023 revealing a significant increase in their total cover. The report highlights the nation’s commitment to conserving these unique coastal habitats, bolstered by new initiatives and existing protective legislation.

Key Findings from ISFR 2023:

• Total Mangrove Cover: As per ISFR 2023, the total mangrove cover across India stands at 4,991.68 square kilometers (km$^2$).
• Percentage of Geographical Area: This accounts for 0.15% of the country’s total geographical area.
• Significant Increase: A notable increase of 16.68 km$^2$ has been observed in the country’s mangrove coverage when compared to the ISFR 2019 report. This growth underscores successful conservation efforts over the past few years.

Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI):

To further enhance mangrove restoration and protection, the Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) was launched on June 5, 2023, as part of the Budget Announcement 2023-24.

• Objective: MISHTI aims to restore and promote mangroves as unique, natural ecosystems. Its core objective is to preserve and enhance the sustainability of coastal habitats by undertaking extensive mangrove reforestation and afforestation measures along India’s coastline.

Legal Framework for Protection:

India has a robust legal framework in place to safeguard its mangrove wealth:

• Coastal Zone Regulation Notification of 2019 (CRZ): Under The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the CRZ Notification of 2019 classifies mangroves as Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs). This classification strictly limits developmental activities within these zones.
  • Buffer Zone Provision: For mangrove cover exceeding 1,000 square meters, a 50-meter buffer zone is specifically designated as CRZ-IA.
  • Compensatory Afforestation: The CRZ-2019 regulation mandates that if any mangroves are impacted during developmental processes, three times the number of lost mangroves must be replanted as compensation.
• Other Protective Laws: Mangrove areas and their ecosystems are also protected under:
  • The Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980 (Forest Conservation Act)
  • The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
  • Various State-specific laws