Mangroves are various types of trees up to medium height and shrubs that grow in saline coastal sediment habitats. They are among the most productive and complex ecosystems on the planet, growing under environmental conditions, generally found where oceans, freshwater, and land realms meet. Mangrove forests are particularly found in in the tropics and subtropics – mainly between latitudes 25°N and 25°S. These tidal areas, such as estuaries and marine shorelines, are frequently inundated with salt water. In india we have mangrove forest on eastern coast near sunderban delta, andaman and nicpbar islands and on western coast near rann of kutch. Mangroves serve important function such as–
- Act as Buffer Zone between the land and sea.
- Not only protect the land from erosion but also reclaim land from sea or waterlogged areas.
- Play as nature’s shield against cyclones, ecological disasters.
- Breeding and nursery grounds for a variety of marine animals. So help Biodiversity.
- Good source of timber, fuel and fodder.
- Main source of livelihood for shoreline communities like fisherfolk.
- Purify the water by absorbing impurities and harmful heavy metals and help us to breathe a clean air by absorbing pollutants in the air.
- Tourism- Given the diversity of life inhabiting mangrove systems major cause for tourist attractions
Mangroves under threat
- Globally, half of all mangrove forests have been lost.
- Conversion into shrimp farms alone causes 25% of the total destruction.
- Rapidly declining mostly in Southeast Asia and Latin America due to wood extraction, climate change and industrial development and unsustainable tourism.
- Increasing salinity or coastal water due to shrimp farming. They need appropriate mix of saline and freshwater. The mangroves grow on fresh water, but because of lack of fresh water the height of mangroves has come down substantially, reducing its capacity to absorb CO2
- Reducing mudflats due to climate change and encroachment.
- Deforestation for making furnitures.
- Grazing by cattles.
- Opening of Brick klins.
- Tourism disturbing the integrity of their ecosystem.
- Marine pollution by oil leakages, oil spills, disposal of sewerage etc.
Mangrove for future program of IUCN is presently heading the mangroves conservation and rejuvenation program. India being a member of MFF has identified 38 areas spread across 8 states for mangroves conservation program to be monitored by MoE&F.
