Mangroves: India’s Coastal Shield & Blue Carbon Treasury
✍️ Suryavanshi IAS Blog | UPSC Foundation Series
🔍 Introduction:
Mangrove forests have long remained on the margins of India’s policy and planning priorities, despite being climate warriors, natural infrastructure, and economic lifelines for millions along the coast.
The loss of mangroves is not just ecological — it's economic and strategic. They prevent disasters, anchor marine biodiversity, and quietly offer ecosystem services worth billions of rupees.
🌊 Why Mangroves Matter in Today’s Climate-Critical Era:
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Natural barrier against cyclones, tsunamis, and sea level rise
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Blue carbon sinks – absorbing more carbon per hectare than terrestrial forests
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Nursery grounds for fish and aquatic biodiversity
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Livelihood backbone for fishing communities
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Prevent coastal erosion and maintain salinity balance
💰 Case in Point:
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Pichavaram, Tamil Nadu: Valued at ₹3,535 million
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Sundarbans, West Bengal: ₹664 billion in ecosystem services
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Carbon sequestration alone: ₹462 million/year
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🧾 UPSC Questions on Mangroves & Blue Carbon
🔹 Prelims-Based Questions:
UPSC 2022
With reference to “Blue Carbon”, which of the following statements is/are correct?
It refers to carbon captured by oceans and coastal ecosystems.
Mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrasses are blue carbon ecosystems.
✅ Answer: Both 1 and 2
UPSC 2014
Which one of the following is the correct sequence of ecosystems in the order of decreasing productivity?
a) Oceans > Mangroves > Lakes > Grasslands
b) Mangroves > Oceans > Grasslands > Lakes
✅ Answer: b) Mangroves > Oceans > Grasslands > Lakes
📚 Three Pillars for Mangrove Management
1️⃣ Mapping with Technology – Valuing Natural Capital
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Use of satellite, drones & geospatial AI for accurate mangrove mapping
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Helps quantify blue carbon stock and monitor degradation
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Economic valuation can guide budgetary and restoration policies
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Recognising and rewarding community knowledge systems
2️⃣ Community-Led Conservation Models
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Fisherfolk depend on mangroves as fish nurseries
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Healthy mangroves = Sustainable catch & better incomes
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In urban areas (e.g., Mumbai, Chennai), degraded mangroves impact biodiversity and livelihoods
🔄 Alternative livelihoods:
Aquaculture
Apiculture (beekeeping)
Eco-tourism
💡 Way Forward: Integrate Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) & Eco-Development Committees (EDCs) into urban mangrove management.
3️⃣ Citizen Science – Creating Mass Awareness & Ownership
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Training locals to monitor & assess mangrove health
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Linkage between wetlands, rivers, and mangrove health
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Tools to track:
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Change in mangrove cover
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Freshwater flow quality
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Biodiversity indicators (birds, mollusks, fish)
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Community perception and dependency
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👥 Initiatives like Mangrove Mitras (Friends of Mangroves) can connect citizens, school students & policymakers in conservation efforts.
🛣️ Way Forward: Policy, People & Platforms in Sync
| Strategy | Action Steps |
|---|---|
| 🏛️ Policy | Recognise mangroves as climate-resilient infrastructure, not just biodiversity zones |
| 💻 Technology | Use AI, remote sensing, blockchain for mangrove carbon monitoring |
| 💰 Finance | Value ecosystem services in state & local budgets |
| 🤝 Community | Empower local stakeholders through co-management |
| 🎓 Education | Include wetland and mangrove ecosystems in curricula |
📘 Use in UPSC Answer Writing – Tips from Suryavanshi IAS
GS Paper 3: Environment & Ecology | Conservation | Disaster Management
Answer writing keywords:
🟢 Blue Carbon
🟢 Nature-Based Solutions
🟢 Ecosystem Services
🟢 People-Wetland-River-Mangrove Connection
🟢 Community-led Resource Governance
Diagram idea:
A concentric circle showing “Mangrove Ecosystem Services” — Carbon, Fisheries, Biodiversity, Disaster Shield
🧠 Conclusion:
“Mangroves are not just trees — they are natural seawalls, carbon banks, and community guardians.”
India must move beyond treating them as passive biodiversity zones and actively invest in them as strategic, economic, and climate infrastructure.
📌 Suryavanshi IAS Takeaway for UPSC Aspirants:
“Where nature thrives, climate resilience survives.”
🌱 Be a Mangrove Mitra — become the voice of the voiceless forests.
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