Mangroves

Mangroves are salt-tolerant plants of tropical and subtropical inter-tidal regions of the world. 

• The specific regions where these plants occur are termed as 'mangrove ecosystem'. 
• These are classified as salt-tolerant evergreen forests, found along coastlines, lagoons, rivers or deltas in 124 tropical and subtropical countries and areas, protecting coastal areas against erosion, cyclones and wind. 

These are highly productive (wood, food, fodder, medicine and honey) but extremely sensitive and fragile. Besides mangroves, the ecosystem also harbours other plant and animal species. 

• They are habitats for many animals like crocodiles and snakes, tigers, deer, otters, dolphins and birds. 
• A wide range of fish and shellfish also depends on these coastal forests and mangroves help to protect coral reefs against siltation from upland erosion. 

The distribution of mangrove ecosystem on Indian coastlines indicates that the Sundarban mangroves occupy very large area followed by Andaman-Nicobar Islands and Gulf of Kachch in Gujarat. 

Indonesia, Australia, Brazil, Nigeria and Mexico together account for around "50 percent" of the total global mangrove area. 

• The total mangrove area has declined from 18.8 million ha in 1980 to 15.2 million ha in 2005. 
• The world has lost around 3.6 million hectares (from 18.8) of mangroves since 1980, equivalent to an alarming 20 percent loss of total mangrove area according to FAO’s recent mangrove assessment study, entitled ‘The world’s mangroves 1980-2005’. 
• The rate of mangrove loss is significantly higher than the loss of any other types of forests. If deforestation of mangroves continues, it can lead to severe losses of biodiversity and livelihoods, in addition to salt intrusion in coastal areas and siltation of coral reefs, ports and shipping lanes. Tourism would also suffer. 
• Asia suffered the largest net loss of mangroves since 1980, with more than 1.9 million ha destroyed, mainly due to changes in land use. FAO cited high population pressure, the large-scale conversion of mangrove areas for shrimp and fish farming, agriculture, infrastructure and tourism, as well as pollution and natural disasters as the major causes for the destruction of mangroves. 
• As the experiences have proved that the presence of mangrove ecosystems on coastline save lives and property during natural hazards such as cyclones, storm surges and erosion, the conservation efforts are given importance.