Introduction

Mangroves are in news due to recent developments in Maharashtra and India’s mangrove conservation discourse. In Mumbai, citizens’ groups planned a human chain under “Save Mangroves, Save Mumbai” to protest the alleged destruction of over 45,000 mangroves for the Mumbai Coastal Road (North) Project. Separately, a community-led initiative known as Mangrove Soldiers completed 300 consecutive weeks of coastal restoration work, removing more than 1,200 tonnes of solid waste from mangroves and coastal belts of Navi Mumbai, Mumbai, Thane and Raigad.At the national level, mangroves remain important because they provide coastal protection, carbon sequestration, biodiversity support, livelihood security and disaster risk reduction. A recent report by Anna University also highlighted Tamil Nadu’s mangrove expansion from 4,500 hectares in 2021 to 9,039 hectares in 2024.

ANALYSIS

Why Mangroves are in News

Mangroves have come into focus because of both conservation success stories and development-related ecological concerns. In Mumbai, environmental activists and residents raised concerns that nearly 60,000 mangroves fall within the influence zone of the Mumbai Coastal Road (North) project, out of which around 45,000 may be impacted and nearly 9,000 may be permanently cut.The protest titled “Mumbai Deserves Better – Save Mangroves, Save Mumbai” sought greater transparency and accountability in coastal development works. Activists argued that mangroves are crucial for protecting Mumbai from flooding, supporting marine biodiversity, absorbing carbon emissions and sustaining traditional fishing communities.At the same time, Maharashtra also witnessed a positive example of community-led conservation. The Mangrove Cleanup Drive, led by environmental activist Dharmesh Barai and his team, completed 300 weeks of continuous coastal restoration. What began during the COVID-19 lockdown with three citizens later evolved into one of Maharashtra’s largest community-led environmental movements.

From Local Cleanup to Community Movement

The movement began when Dharmesh Barai, Sriram Sankar and Rohan Bhosale saw marine life struggling amid plastic waste near Nerul Jetty. The group later became known as the Mangrove Soldiers and worked every Sunday from 7 am to 10 am, removing waste such as plastic packaging, medical waste, discarded furniture and mattresses.Over time, the initiative mobilised more than 1.25 lakh volunteers and removed more than 1,200 tonnes of solid waste from mangroves and coastal belts across Navi Mumbai, Mumbai, Thane and Raigad. The 300th week was marked at Karave Jetty in Navi Mumbai, where volunteers cleared a large stretch of mangroves and filled an entire truckload with non-biodegradable waste.

Role of Environmentalists and Citizens

The 300-week milestone saw participation from environmentalists, social workers and public figures. Pune-based river rejuvenation activist Swapnil Thakur participated and performed songs on the importance of rivers and waterways. Actor and television host Freishia B., co-founder of the Carter Cleanup initiative, also joined the cleanup and stressed the need for sustainable waste disposal systems.Environmental mentor Nandkumar Vaman Pawar emphasised integrated protection of wetlands, coastal ecosystems and mountain regions, while environmentalist Brian J. Phillips praised the team’s consistency in preserving coastal biodiversity.

Ecological Importance of Mangroves

Mangroves are salt-tolerant coastal trees and shrubs found in tropical and subtropical intertidal zones. They grow in saline, low-oxygen environments with slow-moving waters and fine sediments.They perform several critical functions. They act as natural barriers against storm surges, tsunamis and coastal erosion. They reduce wave energy by 5–35%, lower flood depths by 15–20%, and in some areas up to 70%. This makes them essential for disaster risk reduction in coastal regions.Mangroves are also important blue carbon sinks. They store an average of 394 tonnes of carbon per hectare. Their anaerobic and saline soil conditions slow decomposition, allowing long-term carbon storage.

Biodiversity and Livelihood Value

Mangroves support rich biodiversity. In India, they support more than 5,700 species across 21 phyla, including Bengal tigers, estuarine crocodiles, Indian pythons and more than 260 bird species.They are also crucial for food security and livelihoods. Mangroves support global fisheries by nurturing nearly 800 billion aquatic species annually and provide honey, fruits and leaves to coastal communities.

Major Threats to Mangroves

Mangroves face multiple threats from both natural and human-induced causes. According to the State of the World’s Mangroves 2024, land conversion has been a major reason for mangrove loss between 2000 and 2020. Aquaculture accounts for 26%, while oil palm plantations and rice cultivation account for 43% of mangrove loss.Other threats include timber extraction, charcoal production, oil spills, pollution and invasive species. In Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka, the invasive species Prosopis juliflora affects mangrove ecosystems by outcompeting native species, altering soil salinity, reducing freshwater availability and hindering regeneration.

Way Forward

Mangrove conservation requires stronger legal protection, community participation, scientific restoration and sustainable coastal planning. Local communities can be involved through “adopt mangrove areas” initiatives to ensure protection, maintenance and restoration.Technology can also play an important role. Drone monitoring and Artificial Intelligence can help in real-time surveillance and protection against illegal activities. Bio-restoration of degraded mangroves should focus on species diversity to improve resilience against climate change.Sustainable coastal development is essential. Eco-friendly infrastructure, regulated aquaculture and integration of mangrove conservation into urban planning can reduce long-term ecological damage.

NECESSARY STATIC PART

What are Mangroves?

Mangroves are coastal ecosystems composed of salt-tolerant trees and shrubs that thrive in intertidal zones of tropical and subtropical regions. They survive in saline, low-oxygen environments and are adapted to tidal flooding, anaerobic mud and high silt deposition.

Key Adaptations

Global Distribution

As per FAO 2023, global mangrove extent in 2020 was 14.8 million hectares, covering less than 1% of tropical forests. The largest mangrove areas are found in South and Southeast Asia, followed by South America, Africa, North and Central America and Oceania.Indonesia, Brazil, Nigeria, Mexico and Australia together hold 47% of global mangrove cover.

Mangrove Cover in India

As per the India State of Forest Report 2023, India’s mangrove cover is around 4,992 sq km, forming 0.15% of India’s total geographical area.Important mangrove ecosystems in India include:

Sundarbans

The Sundarbans is named after the Sundari tree. It extends from the Hooghly River in West Bengal to the Baleswar River in Bangladesh, covering the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna delta.Four protected areas are designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

Important Initiatives

Institution / Report Mentioned

Updated – 17 May 2026 ; 10:02 AM | Times of India, Updated – 19 May 2026 ; 06:30 PM | Times of India,