India sees modest growth in mangrove cover, ramps up conservation efforts across coastal states

By: Team India Tracker

The central government has implemented both regulatory and promotional measures to protect and expand India’s mangrove ecosystems

According to the latest India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023, India’s mangrove cover has increased to 4,991.68 square kilometres, making up 0.15 percent of the country's total geographical area. Compared to the ISFR 2019, this reflects a modest but noteworthy gain of 16.68 km². These salt-tolerant forests are spread across the shorelines of nine coastal states and four Union Territories, and play a vital role in coastal protection, biodiversity conservation, and livelihood support for local communities.

The Forest Survey of India (FSI), a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) publishes the ISFR every two years. The central government has implemented both regulatory and promotional measures to protect and expand India’s mangrove ecosystems.

Source: India State of Forest Report

West Bengal consistently leads with the largest mangrove area, showing a slight increase from 2,112 km² to 2,119.16 km². Gujarat follows, with a marginal rise from 1,164.06 km² to 1,177 km². Other notable contributors include Andaman & Nicobar Islands (from 608.29 km² to 616 km²) and Andhra Pradesh (from 404 km² to 421.43 km²). States like Maharashtra, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu show slight fluctuations, while Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Daman and Diu, and Puducherry have minimal mangrove coverage, with minor changes between periods. Overall, the data reflects a modest but positive trend in mangrove conservation and expansion across most coastal regions.

Under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2019, mangroves are classified as Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs). Strict development controls are in place for such zones, especially where mangrove stretches exceed 1,000 square metres. A 50-meter buffer zone is mandated, with only essential public utility infrastructure, such as pipelines or elevated roads, permitted. If any mangroves are affected during such development, authorities must undertake compensatory afforestation by planting three times the number of trees lost.

Among the government’s flagship initiatives is MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes), which aims to expand mangrove development across 540 km² of potential coastal areas. The programme also includes awareness drives to educate communities on the ecological and economic importance of mangroves. In FY 2024–25, ₹17.96 crore has been earmarked under the National Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAMPA) for restoration of 3,836 hectares of degraded mangrove land across Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Odisha, West Bengal, and Puducherry. In addition, financial support continues under the National Coastal Mission’s ‘Conservation and Management of Mangroves and Coral Reefs’ scheme. This initiative covers 38 mangrove sites and 4 coral reef sites, with funds allocated on a 60:40 cost-sharing basis between the Centre and states. Between 2021 and 2023, the Centre released ₹8.58 crore to seven coastal states to support mangrove protection.

On a broader climate resilience front, the GCF-ECRICC (Green Climate Fund – Enhancing Coastal Resilience of Indian Coastal Community) project, launched in 2019, is targeting the restoration of 10,575 hectares of mangroves in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Odisha. So far, over 3,114 hectares have been restored under this multi-year initiative.

Together, these efforts reflect India’s growing commitment to safeguarding its mangrove ecosystems, crucial natural buffers in an era of rising sea levels and intensifying cyclones.