Mangroves are often called the “rainforests of the sea,” and rightfully so. These unique coastal habitats are not only a haven for an incredible diversity of plant and animal species but also a shield that protects our shores and communities from the wrath of storms and tidal surges. Their roots act as natural barriers, trapping sediments and stabilizing coastlines, mitigating erosion, and providing a safe nursery for countless marine species. Mangroves play a vital role in carbon sequestration, making them significant contributors to mitigating climate change. These remarkable Mangrove ecosystems bridge the gap between land and sea, creating a dynamic and biodiverse habitat. Mangroves possess a range of adaptations that allow them to survive in harsh saline environments, including their ability to filter out salt and their specialized root systems.
Mangroves are a highly valuable type of coastal ecosystem that offer a wide range of benefits, both tangible and non-tangible, to both the local communities and the surrounding ecology and environment. The tangible benefits associated with mangroves encompass both timber and non-timber products, as well as various livelihood resources. Intangible advantages encompass ecological and societal roles, such as safeguarding coastlines from wave and current erosion, providing shelter and natural habitats for fauna, and supporting ecotourism.
Gujarat is the northernmost maritime state of India. The state has a long coastline of 1,650 km, constituting over 21% of the Indian coastline and the longest among all states. There are two major indentations in Gujarat’s coast – the Gulf of Kachchh (GoK) and the Gulf of Khambhat. These coastal stretches are rich in biodiversity and the GoK have the Marine National Park and sanctuaries located along it.
Mangroves are a vibrant part of coastline of Gujarat. The State encompasses the second largest mangrove cover, a total of 1,175 sq. km comprising of 169 sq. km moderately dense and 1006 sq. km open mangrove cover. Over the last five years the mangrove cover in Gujarat has increased by 35 sq. km, which is the highest expansion record in the country. The mangrove cover in Gujarat has increased from 1140 sq. km. in 2017 to 1175 sq. km in 2021 (FSI, 2021). Kachchh district has a major part i.e. 68% mangrove area cover, followed by 20% of the Gulf of Kachchh, 10.28% of Gulf of Khambhat, 1.12% of the South Gujarat, and 0.64 % of the Saurashtra region. Gujarat showed an increase in mangrove cover because of the plantation and protection measures taken by the state in the last decade. The most interesting feature of the mangrove forests in Gujarat is the fact that the extent of mangroves is highest in Kachchh, the region with the least rainfall. However, due to better fresh water inflow through estuaries of major rivers (i.e. Narmada, Tapi, Purna etc.) into the mangrove habitats as compared to other parts of the state, mangrove species richness is also more in South Gujarat region. The state has a total of 15 mangrove species namely, Avicennia marina (Fosrk.) Vierh, Avicennia officinalis L., Avicennia alba Bl., Aegiceros corniculatum (L.) Blanco, Sonneratia apetala Buch. Ham., Bruguiera cylindrical (L.) Bl., Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L.) Lam., Ceriops decandra (Griff.) Ging Hou, Ceriops tagal Arnold, Rhizophora apiculate Bl., Rhizophora mucronata Lam., Excoecaria agallocha L., Acanthus ilicifolius L., Kandelia candel (L.) Druceand Lumnitzera racemose Willd. Out of the 15 species, two species Viz. Kandelia candel and Lumnitzera racemose were reported for the first time in Gujarat as well as four species Viz. Bruguiera cylindrical, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Rhizophora apiculate and Rhizophora apiculate wererediscovered from Gujarat after two decades in 2009 by Gujarat Ecological Education and Research (GEER) Foundation.
GEER Foundation has initiated and made significant development in understanding Mangrove’s biology and ecology for conservation of mangroves in Gujarat, India. The reports and publications highlight various aspects of mangrove ecosystem, including their current status, conservation strategies, biodiversity, reproductive ecology, carbon sequestration and socio-economic dependence of local communities on mangroves. Further, GEER Foundation has expertise in carrying out core research on various aspects of mangrove conservation, including species diversity and mapping potential areas for restoration. Some of the highly referred publications in the field of Mangrove includes Pollination biology and reproductive ecology of major mangrove species of Gujarat, Potential area mapping for Mangroves Restoration of South Gujarat, Pollination Biology of Three Rare Mangrove Species of Gujarat, India, Estimation of Carbon sink potential of Mangroves in Gujarat etc. Additionally during 2018-2020, GEER Foundation undertakes 700ha of mangrove restoration in Abdasa taluka of Kachchh district. Recently, the organization has reported invasion of Volkameria inermis L. in mangrove habitat of Purna and Ambika estuarine areas of southern Gujarat which can cause a future threat to mangrove species of the region and this is also informed to the concerned authorities for further management and action.
Apart from conducting research on mangrove biology and ecology the Foundation takes keen interest in education and awareness. Several workshops, trainings and seminars are being conducted on regular basis for creating awareness and sensitizing the local communities, urban residents, students, industrialists, front line staff of forest and environment and other relevant groups regarding coastal wetlands and associated natural resources. GEER is having a dedicated team working towards protection and conservation of mangroves. In order to have continuous monitoring of coastal areas (flora, fauna and environment) the foundation has also established five field stations along the Gujarat coast.
Gujarat, being located along the Arabian Sea and having the longest coastline has experienced several cyclonic events in the past, which have resulted in significant damage to property, infrastructure, and loss of lives. Mangroves are highly effective natural coastal protectors/ buffers that play a crucial role in safeguarding coastlines and the communities living near them. Recently, India has come up with the a scheme called Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) which envisage to comprehensively explore the possible area for development of Mangroves cover. Under the scheme, in Gujarat, the mangroves will be planted over 3000 hectares area of land to conserve coastal ecosystems. The scheme aims to address the issue of mangrove conservation through a comprehensive approach that involves community engagement, scientific research, and policy advocacy. Since its inception, GEER has paved the way for the conservation of mangroves by contributing to the study of mangrove ecosystems and amassing a vast database on the subject, and it will endeavor to continue such research for the advancement of ecology and society.
