Mangroves: The Unsung Heroes of Coastal Resilience
Author: Aastha Kirar, Associate Consultant, and Janhvi Tiwari at Tarutium Global Consulting
What if nature had its own army—one that could fight climate change, buffer storms, and support millions of lives? What if this army were disappearing, slowly but steadily? India’s mangrove forests stand at the crossroads of resilience and vulnerability. They are ecologically robust yet increasingly fragile, expansive yet diminishing, and historically enduring yet threatened by modern pressures.
Spanning 4,975 square kilometers (as of 2023), India’s mangroves make up 3.3% of the world’s total, placing the country among the top five mangrove-rich nations. These coastal forests are more than just trees; they are lifelines—absorbing carbon, protecting shorelines, sustaining fisheries, and supporting coastal communities. Yet, climate change, rising sea levels, and rapid urban expansion are putting them at risk.
Globally, mangroves may cover just 0.1% of Earth’s land, but their impact is monumental. They store a staggering 11 billion tonnes of carbon—enough to offset three years of global fossil fuel emissions—and support 80% of tropical fisheries. Yet, 35% of the world’s mangroves have vanished since 1980 due to aquaculture, unchecked development, and climate stress. In Southeast Asia, which holds a third of global mangrove forests, cover declined by 3.4% between 2000 and 2016.
Amid this alarming trend, India’s mangroves tell a different story—one of cautious hope. Since 2001, the country has recorded a 12% net gain in mangrove cover. But this progress is uneven. The Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site shared with Bangladesh, protects 4.5 million people from devastating cyclones. Yet, paradoxically, 15% of its area is at risk of being submerged by 2030 due to rising seas.
So, what does the future hold? Will India’s mangroves continue to stand strong, or are they on borrowed time? With two decades of data from the Forest Survey of India (FSI), it’s clear that urgent action is needed to preserve these natural guardians before it’s too late.
Current Status of India’s Mangrove Cover
Source: Tarutium analysis based on IFS Report 2023
Coastal districts and their mangrove coverage from 2001–2023
Source: Tarutium Analysis based on IFS Report (2001–2023)
India’s Mangrove Journey
The FSI’s biennial assessments since 2001 reveal a complex narrative. Between 2001 and 2023, India added 540 square kilometers of mangrove cover—a 12% increase—though growth remains uneven. West Bengal’s Sundarbans, hosting 42% of India’s mangroves, achieved incremental gains through stringent legal protections. In contrast, Gujarat—once a restoration leader with 300 square kilometers added (2001–2017)—suffered an 11-square-kilometre decline post-2019 due to coastal erosion and saltpan encroachment. Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra emerged as recent successes, adding 16 and 8 square kilometers, respectively, via community-led restoration and CRZ (Coastal Regulation Zone) enforcement.
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands, however, serve as a cautionary example. Post-2004 tsunami mapping corrections revealed a 118-square-kilometre loss in 2003, illustrating how natural disasters and methodological revisions can skew conservation outcomes. These trends mirror global patterns: Indonesia lost 40% of its mangroves since 1980 to palm oil and aquaculture, while Bangladesh battles illegal logging and salinity intrusion in the Sundarbans.
Current Status of India’s Mangrove Cover
Source: Tarutium analysis based on IFS Reports 2023 and Survey of India Report
Timeline highlighting key milestones and significant trends in India’s mangrove cover from 2001 to 2023, as documented by biennial Forest Survey of India (FSI) assessments.
Source: Tarutium analysis based on IFS Reports 2001–2023
Mangroves as Climate Mitigators and Coastal Guardians
Carbon Sequestration: The Silent Climate Ally
India’s mangroves alone store an estimated 700 million tonnes of CO₂, equivalent to the annual emissions of 150 million vehicles. Their peat-rich soils sequester carbon for millennia, rendering them indispensable to India’s Net Zero 2070 commitment. Globally, mangrove deforestation emits 240 million tonnes of CO₂ annually—akin to 50 million cars’ emissions. The UN Environment Programme underscores that mangrove conservation is 1,000 times more cost-effective per tonne of carbon than engineered solutions like direct air capture.
Storm Protection and Climate Resilience
For India’s 250 million coastal inhabitants, mangroves are vital buffers. Projected sea-level rise (0.3–1.1 meters by 2100) threatens 30–40% of global mangroves with submersion. In India, the Sundarbans’ Sea level rises at 3–8 millimeters annually—double the global average—salinizing agricultural lands and displacing communities. Intensifying cyclones, fueled by warming oceans, further test mangrove resilience. During Cyclone Amphan (2020), Sundarbans’ mangroves attenuated storm surges by 30–40 centimeters, sparing Kolkata from catastrophic flooding. Conversely, Mumbai—having lost 40% of its mangroves since 1991 to urbanization—incurs ₹1,500 crore annually in flood damages, underscoring the cost of inaction.
Biodiversity and Livelihoods: The Human Connection
Mangroves harbor over 4,000 species, including the Royal Bengal Tiger, Olive Ridley turtles, and fishing cats. They also sustain livelihoods for 8.5 million Indians through fisheries, honey, and timber. For instance:
- Kerala’s backwaters yield ₹800 crore annually from mangrove-dependent crab and shrimp fisheries.
- Odisha’s Bhitarkanika supports 50,000 fisherfolk, while the Sundarbans’ honey collectors harvest 200 tonnes yearly.
Threats to Mangrove Health
1. Sea-Level Rise and Extreme Weather
By 2100, 30–40% of global mangroves could vanish under high-emission scenarios. India’s Sundarbans, already receding at 16 square kilometers annually, faces compounded risks from rising seas and intensifying cyclones. Cyclone Amphan (2020) destroyed 28% of the Sundarbans’ saplings, reversing years of restoration.
2. Urbanization and Habitat Fragmentation
Coastal cities increasingly encroach upon mangrove habitats. Mumbai lost 22% of its mangroves (2010–2020) to infrastructure, while Andhra Pradesh’s Kakinada sacrificed 28 square kilometers to shrimp farms. Globally, 50% of mangrove loss stems from aquaculture, agriculture, and urban expansion—a pattern echoing across India’s coastline.
3. Aquaculture and Agriculture
The conversion of mangrove areas into shrimp farms and agricultural land has degraded ecosystems, notably in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
4. Policy Gaps and Enforcement Challenges
Despite frameworks like the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) and the Wildlife Protection Act (1972), enforcement remains inconsistent. A 2022 CAG audit identified 1,200+ illegal structures in Mumbai’s mangrove zones, while Gujarat’s saltpan industry frequently circumvents environmental norms. Overlapping jurisdictions and inadequate monitoring further impede conservation.
Conservation Efforts: Lessons from India and Beyond
India’s mangrove story offers hope and replicable models. The MISHTI Initiative (2023), India’s largest restoration program, aims to revive 540 square kilometers across 11 states, focusing on climate-vulnerable regions. Odisha’s Joint Mangrove Management program, active since 2000, revived 32 square kilometers in Bhitarkanika by training locals to patrol forests and sustainably harvest honey. In Maharashtra, drones and GIS mapping improved sapling survival rates to 80%, a model now adopted in Thailand’s Mekong Delta. Kerala developed innovative solutions like the “Mangrove Watch” app, empowering communities to monitor and report mangrove encroachments effectively, while integrating mangrove management into local disaster resilience strategies.
Globally, Ecuador’s mangrove-friendly shrimp certification and Indonesia’s One Map Policy (integrating land-use data) show how policy innovation can curb habitat loss. The World Bank emphasizes that every dollar invested in mangrove restoration yields flood reduction benefits—a compelling economic case.
The Path Forward
To safeguard India’s mangroves, a comprehensive strategy combining policy, community action, technology, and global cooperation is critical. Strengthening legal frameworks must be the first step, including stricter enforcement of coastal protection laws through real-time satellite monitoring and fast-track courts for environmental violations, as demonstrated by Goa’s 2019 law criminalizing mangrove destruction. Simultaneously, integrating mangrove conservation into national climate plans—such as including restoration targets in India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)—will unlock funding and priorities vulnerable regions like the Sundarbans. Empowering coastal communities is equally vital; replicating Odisha’s successful model of training locals as ‘mangrove guardians’ and supporting sustainable livelihoods like eco-tourism and honey harvesting can turn residents into stakeholders. Technology must also play a role, from AI-powered drones monitoring forest health to apps like Kerala’s Mangrove Watch, which crowdsource data on encroachments. Finally, global collaboration through initiatives like the Global Mangrove Alliance will amplify India’s efforts, enabling knowledge-sharing with neighbors like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka while scaling homegrown solutions like the MISHTI restoration program.
Conclusion: A Call to Secure Our Coastal Future
India’s mangroves stand at a critical juncture—both victims of and solutions to the climate crisis. Their resilience is proven: FSI data reveals recovery potential, as seen in Gujarat’s plantations, Odisha’s community models, and Maharashtra’s tech-driven restoration. Yet, rising seas threaten to displace 1.5 million Sundarbans residents by 2030, while unchecked urbanization could erase 10% of India’s mangroves.
The choice is clear: prioritize mangroves as climate infrastructure. Coastal projects can be rerouted; aquaculture can integrate mangroves, as Vietnam demonstrates. This isn’t just about saving trees—it’s about securing coastal livelihoods, curbing emissions, and buying time in the climate race. With the 1.5°C window closing, collective action is non-negotiable. From enforcing laws to embracing sustainable practices, every stakeholder must act. Safeguarding these coastal sentinels is imperative, securing a sustainable future for millions of lives and countless species dependent on them.
