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Topic: Mangroves For The Future Q. What are Mangroves?

Mangroves are plants that survive high salinity, tidal regimes, strong wind velocity, high temperature and muddy anaerobic soil a combination of conditions hostile for other plants. The mangrove ecosystems constitute a symbiotic link or bridge between terrestrial and marine ecosystems. They are found in the inter tidal !ones of sheltered shore, estuaries, creeks, backwaters, lagoons, marshes and mud flats. Mangrove vegetation has been reported in all the coastal "tates#$Ts. %ndia is home to some of the best mangroves in the world. &owever, not all coastal areas are suitable for mangrove plantation as mangrove re'uires an appropriate mi( of saline and freshwater, and soft substrate like mudflats to be able to grow and perpetuate. The )overnment has identified *+ mangrove areas on a country wide basis for intensive conservation and management. Q. Why Mangroves are considered important to protect the biodiversity? Mangrove ecosystems are rich in biodiversity and harbour a number of floral and faunal species ,both terrestrial and a'uatic- many of which, e.g. the tiger, gangetic dolphin, estuarine crocodile etc. are endangered. They also act as nurseries for fin fish, shell fish, crustaceans and mollusks. Mangrove forests are regarded as the most productive ecosystems in the world on account of the large 'uantities of organic and inorganic nutrients released in the coastal waters by these ecosystems. Q. &ow Mangroves protect the coast? The mangroves besides providing a number of ecological services also play a ma.or role in protecting coastal areas from erosion, tidal storms and surges ,tsunamis-. They help in land accretion by trapping the fine debris particles. They are also an important source of honey, tannins, wa(, besides fish. /resently, these are one of the most threatened ecosystems on account of both anthropogenic factors ,reclamation of land, discharge of waste etc- and natural factors like global warming. Q. What is national data of Mangroves in %ndia? The current assessment shows that the mangrove cover in the country is 0,112.31 s' km. The mangrove plantation with an average, annual target of *,444 hectares is undertaken on a country wide basis. The areas supported are among the *+ areas as already identified by Mo56 for intensive conservation. Q. Which states are broadly covers Mangroves in %ndia? West 7engal, 8rissa, 9ndhra /radesh, Tamil :adu, ;erala, ;arnataka, )oa and )u.arat are the states which cover mangroves. West 7engal has the ma(imum of mangrove cover in the country followed by )u.arat and 9ndaman < :icobar %slands. Q. Mangroves for 6uture ,M66-? The pro.ect entitled =Mangroves for 6uture ,M66-> a strategy for promoting investment in ?oastal 5cosystem ?onservation@ is being coordinated by the %nternational $nion for ?onservation of :ature ,%$?:- covering, initially, eight countries, including %ndia.

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