7,000 acres of mangroves restored, 4,000 more in 2026-27: Pawan Kalyan

Mangroves are uniquely adapted salt-tolerant ecosystems (halophytes) that thrive in intertidal zones of tropical and subtropical coasts. They possess specialized features like pneumatophores (breathing roots) and vivipary (seeds germinate while attached to the parent tree), allowing them to survive in harsh, saline, and oxygen-poor environments. From an ecological perspective, they are crucial for coastal biodiversity, acting as nurseries for numerous marine species. Furthermore, mangroves are exceptional carbon sinks, often referred to as blue carbon ecosystems, sequestering carbon at rates significantly higher than terrestrial forests. The restoration efforts under the Great Green Wall of Andhra Pradesh directly align with global initiatives to mitigate climate change and protect these vital habitats. UPSC candidates should understand the specific ecological adaptations of mangroves and their role in the carbon cycle.

The geographical distribution of mangroves in India is highly significant for UPSC Prelims. Major concentrations are found in the Sundarbans (West Bengal), Bhitarkanika (Odisha), and the Godavari-Krishna Delta in Andhra Pradesh (where the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary is located), as well as along the coasts of Gujarat and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The long coastline of Andhra Pradesh (the second longest in India after Gujarat) makes it particularly vulnerable to oceanic disturbances. Mangrove forests act as the first line of defense or bio-shields, dissipating the energy of storm surges and cyclones, thereby mitigating coastal erosion. The geographical mapping of these areas and understanding their vulnerability to natural disasters is essential for both Geography and Disaster Management preparation.

The conservation and restoration of mangroves require coordinated governance and policy implementation. Initiatives like the Great Green Wall of Andhra Pradesh demonstrate a proactive state-level approach to ecological security and disaster risk reduction. At the national level, mangrove conservation is supported by frameworks such as the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, which restricts developmental activities in ecologically sensitive coastal areas. Additionally, India recently launched the Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) scheme under the Union Budget 2023-24 to promote mangrove plantation along the coastline. Understanding these regulatory mechanisms and state-sponsored schemes is vital for answering Mains questions on environmental governance and the integration of ecological conservation with coastal livelihood protection.