02-November-2024-Special-Article

MANGROVES

Cyclone Dana’s recent landfall near Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port in Odisha highlighted the critical importance of mangrove forests in mitigating cyclone damage. Thanks to the extensive mangrove coverage in Bhitarkanika, the cyclone caused less destruction than expected. This resilience is a testament to the protective role mangroves play against natural disasters.

What Are Mangroves?

• Definition: Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees and shrubs that thrive where freshwater mixes with seawater in estuarine and intertidal zones.
• Adaptations: They have specialized features like aerial roots and waxy leaves to survive in saline environments.
• Ecosystem: Mangroves form a littoral forest ecosystem, thriving in coastal areas with brackish or saline waters.
• Common Species: Includes Red Mangrove, Grey Mangrove, and Rhizophora.

Mangrove Coverage in India

• Extent: As per the Indian State Forest Report 2021, India has 4,992 square kilometers of mangroves, accounting for 0.15% of the country’s total geographical area.
• Key Locations:

• Odisha: Bhitarkanika National Park
• Andhra Pradesh: Godavari-Krishna delta
• Gujarat, Kerala, and the Andaman Islands
• Sundarbans: The largest contiguous mangrove forest globally, spanning India and Bangladesh. Bhitarkanika is the second largest in India.

Role of Mangroves in Cyclone Mitigation

• Coastal Defense: Stabilize shorelines by reducing erosion. Act as natural barriers protecting coastal communities from storm impacts.
• Storm Surge Protection: Diminish the height and velocity of cyclone-driven surges. Minimize flooding and coastal damage.
• Integration with Infrastructure: Enhanced effectiveness when combined with man-made structures like embankments.

Conservation and Protection Initiatives

• MISHTI Initiative: Announced in the Union Budget 2023-24. Focuses on planting mangroves along coastlines and on salt pans.
• Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC): Members include UAE, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Australia, Japan, and Spain. Aims to educate and raise global awareness about mangroves’ role in combating climate change.
• Blue Carbon Initiative: Targets climate change mitigation through the conservation and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems.

Challenges in Mangrove Conservation

Commercialization of Coastal Areas:

• Replacement of mangroves with aquaculture, coastal development, rice and palm oil farming, and industrial activities.

Temperature-Related Issues:

• Rapid temperature changes can stress and damage mangroves.
• Freezing temperatures, even briefly, can kill certain species.

Soil Challenges:

• Mangrove soils often lack oxygen, posing difficulties for plant growth.

Pollution and Contamination:

• Agricultural runoff, industrial discharges, and improper waste disposal harm mangrove habitats.

Lack of Integrated Management:

• Mangrove management often occurs separately, ignoring their connection with nearby ecosystems like coral reefs and seagrass beds, which is vital for overall environmental health.

Bhitarkanika National Park

• Location and Size: Covers an expansive area of 672 square kilometers in Odisha.
• Ecosystem: A network of creeks and canals fed by the Brahmani, Baitarani, Dhamra, and Patasala rivers, creating a unique habitat.
• Wildlife:

• Saltwater Crocodiles: Breeding ground with a conservation project initiated in 1975.
• Olive Ridley Sea Turtles: Gahirmatha Beach, the sanctuary’s eastern boundary, hosts the largest colony of these turtles.

Strategies to Preserve Mangroves

Bio-Restoration Techniques:

• Implement Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) to rejuvenate degraded mangrove areas.
• ANR involves soft forest management that supports natural tree reproduction cycles.

Policy Development:

• Establish policies focused on conserving existing mangroves and restoring damaged areas.
• Adopt sustainable management practices to strengthen coastal ecosystem resilience.

Community Engagement:

• Involve local communities in conservation efforts to foster ownership and ensure sustainability.
• Conduct education and awareness programs to highlight the benefits of mangroves, encouraging community-led conservation initiatives.

Conclusion

Enhancing mangrove conservation is crucial for increasing India’s resilience to cyclones and protecting coastal populations. Combining ecological preservation with infrastructural measures will be essential for achieving long-term sustainability and reducing disaster risks. Strengthening these efforts will ensure that mangroves continue to provide vital protection and support for both the environment and coastal communities.

Mains question:

1. “Discuss the role of mangrove forests in coastal protection and climate resilience, highlighting the challenges and initiatives in mangrove conservation in India.” (150 WORDS)