The minister emphasised that the implementation of these regulatory and promotional measures has yielded positive results in enhancing mangrove coverage and resilience.
The Government of India has reaffirmed its commitment to mangrove conservation through a combination of regulatory and promotional measures. In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Kirti Vardhan Singh, outlined the ongoing efforts to protect and expand mangrove forests across coastal States and Union Territories.
Among the regulatory measures, the government enforces the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification (2019) under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, as well as other relevant legislation, including the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the Indian Forest Act, 1927, and the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. These legal provisions are aimed at safeguarding the fragile coastal ecosystem against degradation.
To further boost mangrove conservation, the government launched the “Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes” (MISHTI) on June 5, 2023. This initiative, in collaboration with coastal States and Union Territories, focuses on restoring and afforesting mangroves across approximately 540 km². The program is being implemented through convergence with the National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), which is providing financial support for the initiative.
Regulatory and Promotional Measures
For the financial year 2024-2025, the government has released ₹17.96 crore from CAMPA funds to Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Odisha, West Bengal, and the Union Territory of Puducherry for the restoration of degraded mangrove areas. This funding is expected to support large-scale plantation and conservation efforts in these regions.
According to the India State of Forest Report 2023 (ISFR-2023), India’s total mangrove cover stands at 4,991.68 km², accounting for 0.15 per cent of the country’s total geographical area. West Bengal has the highest share of mangrove forests at 42.45 per cent, followed by Gujarat (23.66 per cent) and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands (12.39 per cent). Notably, Gujarat has witnessed a significant increase of 253.06 km² in mangrove cover between 2001 and 2023, attributed to effective conservation policies, large-scale plantation initiatives, and successful Public-Private Partnership models involving local communities.
The minister emphasised that the implementation of these regulatory and promotional measures has yielded positive results in enhancing mangrove coverage and resilience. The government remains committed to strengthening coastal ecosystems and ensuring long-term environmental sustainability through targeted conservation strategies.
