“The State of the World’s Mangroves 2024” Report released by Global Mangrove Alliance | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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“The State of the World’s Mangroves 2024” Report released by Global Mangrove Alliance

Posted 30 Jul 2024

2 min read

Report was released on World Mangrove Day (observed annually on 26th July).

Key Highlights of Report

  • Southeast Asia has almost about one-third of all mangroves globally (Indonesia alone has 21% of world’s mangroves), followed by West and Central Africa.
  • Half of world’s mangrove provinces are considered threatened (IUCN Red List of Mangrove Ecosystems).
  • Mangroves in Lakshadweep archipelago and on coast of Tamilnadu are critically endangered.

Drivers of Mangrove Loss

  • Climate change (sea-level rise, increased storm intensity).
  • Expansion of industrial shrimp aquaculture (Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Gujarat).
  • Conversion to oil palm plantations, rice cultivation (43% loss between 2000- 2020).

Benefits of Mangroves

  • Support variety of plants and animals e.g. Over 5,700 plant/animal species have been recorded in Indian mangroves.
  • Acts as carbon sinks i.e. store an average of 394 tonnes of carbon per hectare.
  • Protect coastal regions from disasters i.e. Reduce flood depths by 15- 20%, and over 70% in some areas.
  • Fish and seafood sourced from mangrove ecosystems are often rich in essential nutrients like protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins (e.g. vitamins D and B12), and minerals (e.g., iron, zinc).
  • Improves water quality through filtering pollutants and trapping sediments.

About Mangroves 

  • Grow along coasts in salt marshes, tidal creeks, mud flats and estuaries.
  • Salt-tolerant plant communities found in tropical and subtropical intertidal regions characterized by high rainfall (between 1,000-3,000 mm) and temperature (ranging between 260C-350C).
  • West Bengal has largest mangrove cover in India. (India State of Forest Report, 2021)

Initiatives for Mangroves

India

  • Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI).
  • Sustainable Aquaculture in Mangrove Ecosystem (SAIME).

Global

  • Mangrove Breakthrough by GMA.
  • Mangrove Alliance for Climate, headed by UAE in partnership with Indonesia.  
  • Tags :
  • Mangroves
  • World Mangrove Day
  • MISHTI
  • SAIME
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