New Delhi – India’s commitment to protecting its coastal ecosystems continues to show progress as the country’s total mangrove cover has reached 4,991.68 square kilometers, representing 0.15 percent of its total geographical area. The data comes from the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023, which indicates a net gain of 16.68 square kilometers since 2019.
This positive trend is backed by strong initiatives such as the Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes, better known as MISHTI. Launched on June 5, 2023, under the 2023-24 Union Budget framework, MISHTI focuses on the restoration and expansion of mangrove ecosystems along India’s extensive coastline. By promoting afforestation and reforestation, MISHTI aims to revive these natural barriers that shield coastal regions from erosion, tidal surges, and climate-related threats.
In legal terms, the protection of mangroves is embedded within several national laws and regulations. The Coastal Regulation Zone Notification of 2019 under the Environment Protection Act designates mangrove regions as ecologically sensitive areas. This status restricts human activity in these zones, with a mandatory 50-meter buffer zone around mangrove stretches exceeding 1,000 square meters. If any development causes loss to existing mangroves, regulations require that three times the number of lost mangroves be replanted.
Further safeguarding comes from laws such as the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, the Forest Conservation Act of 1980, and several state-specific legislations. These collectively ensure that mangrove habitats receive multilayered protection to maintain ecological balance and biodiversity.
States like West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Gujarat continue to host significant mangrove landscapes. While some regions like Tamil Nadu and Andaman & Nicobar Islands saw slight decreases, others such as Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka, and Odisha registered notable gains in coverage, reflecting ongoing restoration efforts.
This information was shared in a written reply by Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, during a recent session in the Lok Sabha, reaffirming the Centre’s dedication to climate resilience through mangrove conservation.
