Mangroves in India- Meaning, Importance and Conservation

Mangroves in India: Mangrove forests refer to the productive wetlands which are mostly situated in the coastal intertidal zones. They mostly grow in tropical and subtropical areas. There are around 80 different species of mangroves, which grow mostly in regions that have low-oxygen soil, where slow-moving waters accumulate fine particles. The word “mangrove” may refer to the habitat as a whole or to trees and shrubs in mangroves.

Mangroves are very important and special types of vegetation situated in intertidal regions in the intermix of freshwater and saltwater, in bays, estuaries, creeks as well and lagoons. Mangroves are economically as well as ecologically important.

Mangroves in India

Mangrove Forests

Mangroves are plant communities that can withstand salt and may be found in tropical and subtropical intertidal areas of the world. These regions are characterized by high temperatures (between 26°C and 35°C) and significant rainfall (between 1,000 and 3,000 mm). Mangrove species, particularly those in India’s mangrove forests, have a variety of adaptations in their morphology, anatomy, and physiology that enable them to endure conditions such as excessive salinity, wet soils, storms, and tide surges.

Mangrove Forest Map

In tropical and subtropical regions, mangroves are coastal trees. They stand out because they can survive in saline water and can breathe even in high water thanks to their pneumatophores (air roots). Aside from functioning as a natural barrier against storms and floods, mangroves also safeguard coastal ecosystems and serve as a nursery for marine life. The name “mangrove” is a combination of the English word “grove,” which describes trees and plants that grow in shallow, sandy, or muddy environments, and the Portuguese word “mangue,” which means “tree.” The prop roots of mangroves grow from the trunk and extend into the water. These stilt roots both absorb nutrients from the water and act as anchors on muddy soils. For many maritime animals, including shrimp, crabs, and fish, mangroves serve as essential nascent habitats. They are essential in reducing storm damage and controlling coastal erosion.

Mangroves are crucial hiding spots for coastal biodiversity. In order to defend against harsh weather conditions like floods, they also function as bio-shields. Many people, mainly in rural regions, utilize mangrove habitats for a variety of biomass-based employment.

Important Facts on Mangroves

Some important facts as well as characteristics of Mangroves are as follows:

Mangroves in India
1. Mangroves represent a littoral forest ecosytem.
2. Areas which lie in the lower portions of tropical and subtropical regions are mainstay of mangroves.
3. Mangroves are also known as “Halophytes”, as they are salt-tolerant.
4. Height of trees which grow in Mangroves is 8 to 20 metres in height and have thick leaves.
5. Mangroves are confined to both tropical as well as subtropical regions as they need high solar radiation for filtration through their leaves.
6. Seeds in Mangroves germinate in the tree itselt and this is known as viviparity mode of reproduction.
7. They have certain blind roots which are known as Pneumatophores.
8. There are different types of roots in case of Mangrove- Prop, Air and Stilt.
9. Different types of mangroves include red, black as well as white.
10. Major forms of mangroves are found in Sundarban groves, mahanadi mangroves, goa mangroves, ratnagiti mangroves and so forth.

Geographical Location of Mangrove Forests

The mangroves are mostly situated on sheltered coastlines within the tropical and subtropical latitudes because they cannot grow in freezing temperatures. They mostly grow within the reach of the tides in the salty soil.

The total area coverage of the mangrove in the world is approximately 1,50,000 square kilometers. If we compare the continents, Asia has the largest number of mangrove forests in the world context. The contribution of India is about 45.8 percent of the total mangrove cover in South Asia.

Mangroves in India

1. According to the India State of Forest Report, 2019, in India mangrove cover around 4,975 square kilometers, which is approximately 0.15 percent of the country’s total geographical area. Comparing the states, West Bengal has the highest percentage of regions under the total Mangrove covers, which is followed by Gujarat and Andaman Nicobar Islands.
2. The largest Mangrove forest is situated in Sundarbans in West Bengal and is listed also in UNESCO World Heritage Site. Some important species which are situated in the forest include the Royal Bengal tiger and Gangetic dolphins.
3. Another important mangrove of India is that of Bhitarkanika in Orissa which is created on the river deltas of that of river Brahmani and of Baitarani.
4. The next important mangrove includes the Godavari-Krishna mangroves situated between Orissa and Tamil Nadu.
5. Important rivers like the Ganges, Mahanadi, Krishna, and Godavari, and the Kaveri rivers contain mangrove forests. The backwaters in Kerala also have a high density of mangrove forests.

Importance of Mangroves

Water Purification

Mangroves help in improving the quality of water through the absorption of nutrients from the runoff that might cause the development of harmful algal blooms offshore. Coral reefs and also seagrass beds rely on the water purification of mangroves.

Stabilisation of Ecology

The mangroves help in maintaining and also building the soil, provide protection against cyclones and help in the promotion of land accretion, dissipation of wides, and so forth.

Protection from Tides

The dense roots of the mangrove forests help stabilize the speed of tides and in many ways control the water level. They also help in providing stabilization of coastal coasts, reducing the rate of erosion from storms and waves.

Supporting Biodiversity

Species unique to the mangroves are given a boost through the mangroves and provide habitat and also refuge to a lot of creatures that are unique to the mangrove forests only.

Mangroves in India State Forest Report 2019

According to Forest Survey of India in 2019, Mangroves cover in the country has increased by 54 square kilometer and some important points from the report are:

1. Mangroves face limiting factors which include lack of oxygen, high salinity and tidal inundation.
2. Mangroves adapt with succulent leaves, sunken stomata, stilt roots and buttresses.
3. Mangroves make for 1 percent of the tropical forests in the world.
4. India has about 3 percent of total mangove species in South Asia.
5. Mangroves cover in India is about 4975 square kilometers.
6. West Bengal has about 42.45 percent of mangrove in India.

Threats Faced by Mangroves

Commercialization of Coastal Areas

Aquaculture, coastal development, and other farming activities are constantly replacing salt-tolerant trees, and also the ecosystems they support. Mangroves are under threat due to the developments in fields of infrastructure, urbanization, and agriculture. Only less than 1 percent of the tropical forests are mangroves.

Temperature Related Issues

Freezing temperatures are not suitable at all for the growth of mangroves. The current scenario of climate change is a severe issue of concern for the growth and development of mangroves.

Issues Related to Soil

A severe lack of oxygen is another form of concern for the survival and growth of mangroves. Most plants take oxygen from gases trapped within the soil, but mangroves do not have this option, as their roots are below the ground and are flooded by water twice a day.

Excessive Human Intervention

With human development and the increasing process of development of infrastructure, provides a barrier to the development of mangroves. They also often suffer from industrial and oil spills.

Conservation of Mangroves

Assigning Mangroves UNESCO Designated Sites

The inclusion of mangroves in the field of biosphere reserves, World Heritage Sites, and also UNESCO Global Geoparks helps to improve the management and also conservation of the mangroves.

International Day for Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem

It is celebrated on July 26 with the aim of increasing awareness of the mangrove ecosystems and also to promote sustainability.

Blue Carbon Initiative

It focuses on the conservation and also restoring of coastal and marine ecosystems. The initiative is coordinated with Conservation International (CI), IUCN, and Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission-UNESCO.

National Mangrove Committee

The government of India set up a National Mangrove Committee in 1976 for the conservation and development of mangroves.

FAQs on Mangrove Forests

What are mangrove forests?

It refers to the group of trees and shrubs which live in the coastal intertidal zone. These trees grow mostly in areas of low-oxygen soil, where the waters move slowly for fine sediments to accumulate.

Which is the first largest mangrove forest in the world?

The Sundarbans Reserve Forest.

Where mangrove forest are found in India?

Mangrove forest in India are found in India in West Bengal, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Andhra Pradesh.

How many mangrove forests are there in India?

Around 10 mangrove forests are there in India.

Which state has highest mangroves?

West Bengal.