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Introduction

Mangroves, forming a vital part of blue carbon ecosystems, play a key role in buffering climate shocks, sustaining biodiversity, and supporting coastal economies. Despite their ecological and economic value, mangroves have remained on the periphery of mainstream policy, exposing them to significant degradation and neglect.

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Significance of Mangroves to Climate and Economic Resilience

• Natural Coastal Barriers: Mangroves reduce storm surge and erosion impacts, protecting coastal communities from natural disasters.
  Eg: During Cyclone Amphan, areas shielded by mangroves in Odisha and West Bengal faced less damage compared to exposed regions.
• Blue Carbon Sinks: They are highly efficient carbon sinks, aiding in climate change mitigation through long-term carbon sequestration.
  Eg: Carbon sequestration alone is valued at ₹462 million per year in the Sundarbans, reflecting the ecological and economic importance of this habitat.
• Support to Coastal Economies: Mangroves nurture fish breeding grounds, support livelihoods like fishing, beekeeping, and eco-tourism.
  Eg: Coastal communities in Pichavaram and Bhitarkanika derive significant income from crab collection and honey harvesting.
• Biodiversity Reservoirs: They harbour high biodiversity including migratory birds, fish, mollusks, and endangered species.
• Groundwater and Salinity Regulation: Mangrove root systems prevent seawater intrusion into freshwater ecosystems.
  Eg: Mangroves along Gujarat’s coast regulate groundwater salinity affecting agriculture inland.
• Disaster Risk Reduction Infrastructure: They provide nature-based solutions in climate resilience plans, reducing dependence on grey infrastructure.
  Eg: Maharashtra’s Climate Action Plan includes mangrove preservation as a flood-control mechanism.
• Natural Resource Buffer during Crises: Communities rely on mangroves as fallback resources during extreme weather or crop failure.
  

Challenges Faced by Mangrove Ecosystems

• Marginalisation in Policy and Planning: Mangroves are often excluded from core development and infrastructure policies.
• Rapid Urbanisation and Pollution: Urban expansion often leads to encroachment and degradation of mangroves.
  Eg: Mangroves in Mumbai and Chennai are distressed and polluted, reducing their biodiversity and ecosystem functionality.
• Inadequate Economic Valuation: Their ecosystem services are underrepresented in economic terms, weakening conservation incentives.
• Disrupted Hydrological Systems: Changes in river flows affect mangrove health, biodiversity, and resilience.
• Lack of Monitoring and Assessment Tools: Absence of standardised tools hinders early detection of mangrove degradation.
  Eg: Indicators like mangrove area change, fish diversity, and freshwater flows are not consistently tracked.
• Weak Community Involvement: Local communities are often excluded from decision-making, despite their dependence on mangroves.

Reimagining Mangroves as Drivers of Sustainable Growth

• Leveraging Technology for Natural Capital Accounting: Geospatial AI and satellite tools can aid in quantifying and mapping mangroves accurately.
• Community-Led Conservation Models: Empowering local communities improves stewardship and ecosystem health.
  Eg: Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) can be adapted for urban mangrove protection with fisherfolk participation.
• Promoting Alternative Livelihoods: Mangroves support eco-tourism, aquaculture, and beekeeping as sustainable income sources.
  Eg: Involvement in eco-tourism can help coastal communities shift from extractive to regenerative activities.
• Citizen Science and Public Engagement: Mobilising urban and rural citizens to monitor and protect mangroves enhances accountability.
  Eg: Initiatives like Mangrove Mitras engage citizens in biodiversity monitoring and protection.
• Integrated Ecosystem Monitoring Framework: Multidimensional indicators can guide adaptive management and policy responses.
• Embedding Mangroves in Climate Infrastructure Planning: Positioning mangroves as climate infrastructure can attract investments and policy priority.
  Eg: Recognising mangroves as buffers against rising seas and extreme weather adds them to risk-reduction portfolios.
  

Conclusion

Mangroves, if reimagined as living infrastructure, can be pivotal for climate adaptation, biodiversity, and livelihoods. Their conservation is not just an ecological imperative but a socioeconomic opportunity. A coordinated approach involving science, community, and business is essential to transition from passive neglect to active stewardship of these invaluable ecosystems.

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