| Upsc Relevance-Prelims : Focus on mangrove species, distribution (Sundarbans, A&N), ecological role, CRZ norms, Ramsar sites, and government schemes like CAMPA, Green India Mission, and National Coastal Mission. Mains:Relevant for GS-3 (Environment, Disaster Management, Climate Change). Highlights Swaminathan’s role in ecological policy, mangroves in carbon sequestration and cyclone mitigation, and challenges like deforestation, urbanisation. Encourages discussion on community-based conservation, blue carbon economy, and India’s global climate commitments. |
Why in News?
July 26 is observed as World Mangrove Day. This year, it’s also a moment to recall the visionary role of Prof. M.S. Swaminathan, who transformed the global and Indian discourse on mangrove conservation.
🌿Background; What Were Mangroves Like Before the 1990s?
Until the late 1980s, mangroves were often misunderstood and undervalued. Many people saw them as useless swampy land that could be cleared for construction or farming. Only the local fishing communities recognized their real value—because they depended on them for daily needs like fish, fuelwood, and protection from storms.
At that time, scientists, policymakers, and planners rarely discussed mangroves in environmental or development planning.
Why Mangroves Matter Today: India’s Ecological Lifeline
Mangroves are unique forests found where land meets the sea, especially in coastal intertidal zones. Despite their muddy appearance, these forests provide a wide range of vital services to both nature and people:
1.Natural Disaster Shield
Mangroves act like a protective wall during cyclones, storms, and tsunamis, reducing wave impact and saving lives and property along the coast.
Example: During the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, places like Pichavaram in Tamil Nadu, where mangroves were still intact, experienced less destruction and fewer deaths than nearby areas without mangroves.
2.Climate Change Warriors
Mangroves are powerful carbon sinks. They absorb 4 times more carbon than regular forests on land. This helps slow down global warming and climate change.
3.Support for Local Livelihoods
They are breeding grounds for fish, crabs, and prawns, which supports coastal fishing communities. People also collect honey, firewood, and medicinal plants from these forests.
4. Hubs of Biodiversity
Mangrove areas are rich in wildlife. They provide shelter and nesting areas for migratory birds, reptiles, fish, and insects, helping to maintain ecological balance.
Prof. M.S. Swaminathan: The Man Who Made Mangroves a Global Priority
Warning the World Early: Tokyo, 1989
In 1989, at a global climate conference in Tokyo, Prof. M.S. Swaminathan raised an alarm. He warned that rising sea levels—a result of climate change—could make coastal soil salty and destroy the livelihoods of millions of people living near the sea.
Instead of just sounding the alarm, he offered a practical solution:
Conserve and restore mangrove forests using a people-first, science-based approach.
His Threefold Approach: Ecology, Economy, and Equity
Prof. Swaminathan laid out a clear and inclusive framework for mangrove conservation:
- Ecology – Protect the natural ecosystems for long-term sustainability.
- Economics – Ensure that mangroves contribute to livelihoods like fishing, farming, and eco-tourism.
- Equity – Empower local communities, especially women and the poor, to take part in conservation.
Scientific Innovation: Mangrove Genes for Salt-Tolerant Crops
Prof. Swaminathan encouraged genetic research to tackle salinisation. He promoted the use of genes from mangroves to develop salt-tolerant rice and other crops, which could grow even in coastal and degraded soils.
Global Leadership in Mangrove Conservation
To take mangrove awareness to the international stage, Prof. Swaminathan played a key role in several global initiatives:
Founder of ISME (1990)
He helped establish the International Society for Mangrove Ecosystems (ISME) in Japan and became its first President. ISME became a hub for researchers, policymakers, and communities working to protect mangroves worldwide.
Charter for Mangroves (1992)
He was instrumental in creating the “Charter for Mangroves,” which was later included in the UN World Charter for Nature. This gave mangrove conservation a place in international environmental law for the first time.
Knowledge Tools: Atlas and Manuals
He also contributed to global publications like the World Mangrove Atlas and restoration guides that are still used by conservationists and governments across the world.
Prof. Swaminathan’s Global Contributions: Data, Genes, and Diplomacy
To make mangrove conservation scientifically robust and globally accessible, Prof. M.S. Swaminathan led major institutional and technological innovations:
GLOMIS: A Global Mangrove Knowledge Hub
He helped create GLOMIS (Global Mangrove Database and Information System), a digital platform that stores data on:
- Mangrove species and biodiversity
- Global research experts
- Coastal ecosystem health
This tool became a foundation for global research and policy-making on mangroves.
Genetic Resource Centres for Mangrove Diversity
To preserve the genetic diversity of mangrove species, Prof. Swaminathan initiated the setup of Mangrove Genetic Resource Centres in 9 countries, including India. These centres focus on:
- Researching climate-resilient genes
- Protecting native species
- Supporting cross-country cooperation in mangrove science
🇮🇳 Colonial Legacy and India’s Mismanagement of Mangroves
Despite having the world-famous Sundarbans, India’s mangrove systems suffered due to colonial and post-colonial neglect.
Historical Missteps
- Under British rule, mangroves were cleared to make way for agriculture, settlements, and timber.
- Restoration efforts before the 1980s were largely unsuccessful, with local communities wrongly blamed for destruction.
- Mangrove areas were seen as wastelands, not as ecological assets.
Breakthrough: Scientific Research and the ‘Fishbone Canal Method’
Participatory Science, Not Blame Games
In 1993, the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) partnered with state forest departments to conduct participatory ecological research. Key findings included:
- Degradation was mainly due to biophysical factors (e.g., hydrological changes from deforestation), not community misuse.
- Restoration would succeed only if local knowledge and ecological design were combined.
The Fishbone Canal Innovation
Swaminathan’s team introduced the “Fishbone Canal Method”, which:
- Mimicked natural tidal flow using canal patterns shaped like fishbones
- Was piloted in Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal
- Resulted in better mangrove regeneration, improved soil salinity levels, and stronger community participation
This was a game-changer in ecosystem restoration.
Joint Mangrove Management (JMM): A Policy-Level Shift
The success of the Fishbone Canal Method laid the foundation for a new national model:
From Research to National Policy
- The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) adopted the Joint Mangrove Management (JMM) model.
- It encouraged shared responsibility between government bodies and local communities.
- In 2000, JMM was formally evaluated and recommended for replication across Indian coastal states.
- Funding and restoration efforts increased, and mangrove areas in India began to grow.
Mangroves as Nature’s Coastal Shield: Cyclone and Tsunami Case Studies
Mangroves proved their true worth during two major natural disasters in India:
1999 Odisha Super Cyclone
When a devastating cyclone struck Odisha in 1999, coastal regions with intact mangroves experienced fewer casualties and lower infrastructure damage. Villages shielded by mangrove belts survived better than others.
2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami
During the 2004 tsunami, mangrove forests in Tamil Nadu, especially in Pichavaram and Muthupet, acted as natural barriers, reducing the impact of tidal waves.
In contrast, areas where mangroves had been cleared for shrimp farms or resorts faced far greater destruction.
These events helped shift national and global policy attention toward mangrove restoration as part of climate adaptation strategies.
Persistent Challenges in Mangrove Conservation
Despite successful restoration models and increasing awareness, several challenges continue to threaten mangrove ecosystems:
1. Urbanisation and Coastal Infrastructure
Rapid development along coastlines—construction of ports, highways, tourist resorts, and aquaculture farms—has led to the large-scale clearance of mangroves.
- Example: Navi Mumbai and parts of Gujarat have seen extensive mangrove loss due to construction and landfill activities.
2. Pollution and Industrial Waste
Mangroves are often located near industrial zones, leading to toxic discharge, oil spills, and heavy metal contamination, especially in areas like:
- Mumbai coast
- Gulf of Kutch and Gulf of Khambhat
3. Weak Legal Enforcement
While laws like the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification exist, they suffer from:
- Poor monitoring
- Corruption in coastal land deals
- Leniency towards violators
This leads to illegal encroachment and deforestation in ecologically sensitive areas.
4. Lack of Local Community Integration
Many conservation projects are top-down and fail to:
- Provide livelihood benefits to locals
- Use community knowledge in planning
- Sustain long-term participation
Without community buy-in, restored mangroves are often neglected or re-cleared.
5. Climate Change Stress
Mangroves are now facing new biological and ecological stressors:
- Rising sea levels drown young saplings
- Temperature variability alters growth patterns
- Changes in salinity and tidal flows affect species diversity
India’s Current Status: Rise in Mangrove Cover
According to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023:
- Total mangrove cover: 4,991.68 sq. km (0.15% of India’s land area).
- Net increase since ISFR 2019: 16.68 sq. km.
- Top mangrove-rich states: West Bengal (Sundarbans), Gujarat, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Odisha.
ISFR data shows that focused efforts have yielded tangible improvements.
Government Steps for Mangrove Conservation
India has adopted various schemes and legal protections:
Policy and Legislative Measures
- Indian Forest Act (1927) and Forest (Conservation) Act (1980) protect mangrove zones.
- Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2011 & 2019 restricts development in ecologically sensitive coastal areas.
- Biological Diversity Act, 2002 enables community-led conservation.
✅ Schemes and Programs
- National Coastal Mission under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
- Integrated Coastal Zone Management Programme (ICZMP): Focused on mangrove restoration, livelihood training, and capacity building.
- MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes) launched in Union Budget 2023–24 to promote mangrove plantations across coastal states.
✅ Community Involvement
- Formation of Eco-development Committees (EDCs).
- Incentives and skill training for mangrove-dependent communities.
Way Forward
- Mainstream Blue Carbon in India’s Climate Targets: Recognize mangroves as carbon sinks in NDCs.
- Decentralise Conservation: Empower Gram Panchayats and community-based organisations.
- Incentivise States: Use green rankings and carbon credits for mangrove-rich states.
- Promote Research: Fund universities and institutions for salinity-resilient crop R&D using mangrove genes.
- Strengthen Legal Enforcement: Coastal development norms must be strictly monitored.
Conclusion: Prof. Swaminathan’s Enduring Green Legacy
Prof. M.S. Swaminathan did not just advocate for food security—he built an environmental vision rooted in resilience, science, and social equity. His pioneering role in mangrove restoration shaped India’s climate strategy and gave the world a blueprint to safeguard coastal ecosystems. As India faces intensifying climate risks, continuing his legacy is both an ecological necessity and a moral imperative.
UPSC Prelims PYQ and practice question
Question 1: Q. With reference to Indian mangroves, consider the following statements:(UPSC Prelims 2023)
- Mangrove trees can grow in saline water and tolerate high salinity.
- Mangroves help in carbon sequestration and coastal protection.
- Sundarbans in India has the largest contiguous mangrove forest in the world.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: D. 1, 2 and 3
Q. Which of the following are the ecological roles of mangroves?
- Carbon sequestration
- Breeding ground for fish
- Barrier against coastal erosion
- Support to coral ecosystems
Select the correct answer using the code below:
(A) 1, 2 and 3 only
(B) 2 and 4 only
(C) 1, 3 and 4 only
(D) 1, 2, 3 and 4
✅ Answer: D
Mains pyq-
Q. Coastal sand mining, whether legal or illegal, poses one of the biggest threats to the mangrove forests. Discuss the measures to protect mangrove forests. (UPSC Mains 2022 – GS Paper 3)
SOURCE- THE HINDU
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