In India, the total mangrove cover is 4991.68 km2 accounting for 0.15% of the country’s total geographical area. This information is as per latest India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023. In comparison to ISFR 2019 and ISFR 2023, there has been a significant increase of 16.68 km2 in the country’s mangrove coverage. The State/UTs wise detail of mangrove cover as per ISFR 2019 and ISFR 2023 is given below in the table.
As a part of Budget Announcement 2023-24, the Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) has been launched on 5th June 2023 to restore and promote mangroves as unique, natural eco-system and for preserving and enhancing the sustainability of the coastal habitats. The objective of MISHTI is to restore mangrove forests by undertaking mangrove reforestation/ afforestation measures along the coast of India. The Coastal Zone Regulation Notification of 2019 (CRZ) under The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 classifies Mangroves as Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) permitting only very limited activities in these areas. Additionally, provision of a 50-meter buffer zone along mangroves is also specified as CRZ-IA in case the mangrove cover is greater than 1,000 square meters. In such instances, if any mangroves are likely to be affected during the developmental process, three times the number of mangroves lost must be replanted as per the provisions of CRZ-2019 regulation. Further mangrove areas and mangrove ecosystems are also protected under the relevant provisions of the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and State specific laws
State and year wise break up of Mangrove Cover in the country
(in km2)
S. No State/UTs Mangrove Cover as per ISFR 2019 Mangrove Cover as per ISFR 2023 1 Andhra Pradesh 404.00 421.43 2 Goa 26.00 31.34 3 Gujarat 1177.00 1164.06 4 Karnataka 10.00 14.20 5 Kerala 9.00 9.45 6 Maharashtra 320.00 315.09 7 Odisha 251.00 259.06 8 Tamil Nadu 45.00 41.91 9 West Bengal 2,112.00 2119.16 10 Andaman & Nicobar Islands 616.00 608.29 11 Daman and Diu 3.00 3.86 12 Puducherry 2.00 3.83 Total 4,975.00 4991.68
This information was provided by Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh In a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on 21st July.
