Mangroves are more than just trees; they are one of nature’s most powerful tools against climate change. These salt-tolerant plant communities thrive in tropical and subtropical coastal regions, serving as crucial biodiversity refuges and natural shields against extreme weather events.
By Santosh Kumar/ Sarla Meena/ Anchal Patiyal
As dawn breaks over the coastal village of Navghar, Vandana Patil treads carefully on the damp earth, her eyes scanning the horizon where land meets sea. She remembers a time when the ocean provided generously—crabs scuttling through the mangroves, fish thriving in the brackish waters. But those memories grew distant as the years passed. The once-thriving marine ecosystem began to dwindle, leaving the community struggling for survival.
The culprit was evident: the unchecked destruction of mangroves. These towering sentinels of the shoreline had been steadily disappearing, uprooted by human encroachment and environmental neglect. Without their intricate root systems to anchor the land, soil erosion accelerated, fish populations declined, and livelihoods suffered. Yet, many in Navghar remained unaware of the vital role these trees played in their survival.
A Community’s Awakening
Change arrived in the form of a transformative initiative. In 2021, the Government of India, in collaboration with the Green Climate Fund and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), launched a project aimed at enhancing climate resilience in India’s coastal communities. Spanning three states—Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Odisha—the initiative focused on conserving and restoring marine ecosystems, including the beleaguered mangroves, while simultaneously creating sustainable livelihoods.
Navghar became a beacon of this change. The establishment of a Mangrove Co-Management Committee brought together villagers, local governance bodies, and women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to spearhead conservation efforts. Women, often the most economically vulnerable, were placed at the forefront of the movement, learning sustainable crab-farming techniques and forming collectives such as Healthy Harvest and Wild Crab Aqua Farm. On two acres of coastal land, these women now farm mud crabs sustainably, ensuring the protection of mangroves while securing their own economic futures.
“The transformation has been incredible,” says Rohan Patil, president of the committee. “Earlier, people saw mangroves as mere trees. Now, they see them as protectors.”
By 2023, the once-barren coastline had begun to flourish. The restored mangrove forests provided a natural buffer against erosion and storms, while the revived waters teemed with life once more. For Vandana and others, the change was tangible. “Earlier, we worked only seasonally. Now, we have employment throughout the year. And we no longer have to travel long distances for crab farming—it’s right here,” she says with a smile.
The Science of Mangroves: Nature’s Climate Warriors
Mangroves are more than just trees; they are one of nature’s most powerful tools against climate change. These salt-tolerant plant communities thrive in tropical and subtropical coastal regions, serving as crucial biodiversity refuges and natural shields against extreme weather events. With their ability to store 7.5 to 10 times more carbon per acre than tropical forests, mangroves act as nature’s carbon vault, trapping greenhouse gases in their dense root systems and muddy substrates. Their destruction contributes to 10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation, making their preservation a critical component of climate action.
India’s Progress in Mangrove Conservation
India has made significant strides in mangrove conservation through regulatory measures and targeted restoration projects. According to the India State of Forest Report 2023, the country’s total mangrove cover stands at 4,991.68 sq. km, marking a 7.86 per cent increase over the past decade. West Bengal, Gujarat, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands house the largest shares of these coastal forests. Gujarat, in particular, has witnessed remarkable progress, expanding its mangrove cover by 253.06 sq. km since 2001 through large-scale plantations and community-led conservation efforts.
Below is a list of government-led initiatives driving change:
- Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI)
- Launched in 2023 to restore and afforest 540 sq. km across nine coastal states and four Union Territories.
- Funding through the National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA).
- ₹17.96 crore allocated for the treatment of 3,836 hectares of degraded mangroves in 2024-25.
- National Coastal Mission – Conservation of Mangroves and Coral Reefs
- Provides financial assistance for the conservation of 38 mangrove sites and four coral reef sites.
- Operates on a 60:40 cost-sharing model between the Centre and States.
- ₹8.58 crore allocated to seven coastal states for conservation efforts from 2021–23.
- Green Climate Fund – Enhancing Coastal Resilience of Indian Coastal Community (GCF-ECRICC)
- Launched in 2019 to restore 10,575 hectares of mangroves in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Odisha.
- As of 2024, 3,114.29 hectares have been successfully restored.
A Tidal Shift Towards Sustainability
Navghar’s story is a testament to the power of community-led conservation and sustainable development. The village’s transformation reflects a broader movement across India’s coastline, where once-vulnerable communities are now becoming the stewards of their environment. The integration of science, policy, and grassroots action is forging a future where ecological restoration directly uplifts local economies.
Women like Vandana Patil are no longer passive witnesses to environmental degradation; they are active custodians of their natural heritage. By securing their livelihoods through sustainable practices, they are simultaneously fortifying their communities against the ravages of climate change.
The resurgence of India’s mangroves is more than an environmental triumph — it is a symbol of resilience, hope, and a blueprint for the future. As the tides turn, the nation moves towards a model where nature-based solutions are at the heart of climate action, and communities stand as the vanguard of change.
