Holistic approach essential for mangrove conservation, says Soumya Swaminathan

Mangroves cannot be viewed in isolation; they should be integrated into broader coastal management strategies alongside coral reefs, seagrass and other coastal species, said Soumya Swaminathan, chairperson, MS Swaminathan Research Foundation. 

At the inaugural of the India Mangrove Conclave 2024 on Monday, Ms. Swaminathan said a holistic approach is needed to preserve, restore, and regenerate mangrove forests in the coastal ecosystem. Drawing from past research and initiatives, Ms. Swaminathan noted the importance of genetic diversity in mangroves, the need for scientific knowledge, and the involvement of local communities in conservation efforts. 

She said that mangrove restoration projects without community involvement tend to fail and highlighted that mangroves support the livelihoods of coastal communities, especially through fisheries. She added that mangrove conservation could enhance carbon sinks and urged caution with global carbon trading systems to ensure local communities benefit from these efforts. 

“I think we should disseminate best practices that emphasise the balance between ecological, economic, and nutritional security. By integrating these three aspects we can achieve both sustainable development and environmental preservation,” she stated.

The two-day conference, organised by the National Centre for Coastal Research and the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR-ICRAF), brought together 150 delegates, including researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders, all working in the mangrove ecosystem.

K. Ravichandran, Director, Indian Institute of Forest Management, discussed the state of India’s mangrove ecosystems, based on a report from the Forest Survey of India. According to the report, 30% of mangroves are densely packed, 30% are moderately dense, and 40% are open. 

To address climate-related challenges and meet Nationally Determined Contributions targets, the focus should be on restoring and increasing the density of the 40% of open mangrove areas, he said, adding that there are ample technologies available for mangrove restoration, and over the past 30 years, knowledge about mangroves has greatly improved. The key now is to connect this growing knowledge with resource managers and local communities to improve restoration efforts, he said.

MV Ramana Murthy, Director of NCCR, Rupesh Bhomia, scientist from CIFOR-ICRAF, and Balaji Ramakrishnan, Director of the National Institute of Ocean Technology, were present.

Published - December 17, 2024 12:10 am IST