Community-based Mangrove Conservation Efforts in India

By Lara Moussa

Mangrove forests play a crucial role in coastal ecosystems, providing a wide range of environmental and economic benefits. India is home to about 4,038 km² of mangrove cover in 2020 (Bunting et al., 2022). Mangrove forest in India is serving as a tool for local communities, stakeholders, and decision-makers to effectively enhance community-based conservation efforts aiming to protect and restore these vital habitats (Forest Survey of India, 2021). 

The importance of mangroves

Mangroves serve as natural barriers against coastal erosion, storm surges, and tsunamis. This potential is mainly associated with their robust root systems that help stabilize shorelines and reduce the impact of waves, making them an essential first line of defense for coastal communities. Additionally, mangroves are essential for carbon sequestration releasing significant amounts of atmospheric CO₂ and storing up to four times more carbon per hectare than other tropical forests (Donato et al., 2011). Mangroves in India such as the Bhitarkanika in Odisha have been reported to sequester more than 300 Mg C ha^-1 in their aboveground biomass (Anand et al., 2020; Dutta Roy et al., 2024). 

Moreover, mangrove ecosystems support local communities by serving as nurseries for multiple fish species, crustaceans, and mollusks, supporting both local and commercial fisheries, and ensuring rich biodiversity and livelihoods for coastal communities. In India, a study conducted along the east coast found that local communities generally show a special interest in mangrove conservation, seeing their importance for both ecological and economic reasons (Badola et al., 2012).

Community-based conservation approaches and initiatives

India’s coastlines have witnessed several successful community-led initiatives demonstrating the effectiveness of involving local populations in conservation efforts. 

The following figure (Figure 1) shows a brief overview of initiatives conducted along India’s coastline, aiming to engage community members in mangrove conservation. 

‍Figure 1. Community-based Conservation Initiatives in India

1. Sundarbans mangrove conservation

In West Bengal, the Sundarbans region hosts one of the world's largest mangrove forests, where local communities have been actively involved in mangrove restoration projects and initiatives. For instance, the Sundarbans Mangrove Restoration Project has engaged villagers in planting and monitoring mangrove saplings. This initiative has resulted in the restoration of over 5,500 hectares of degraded mangrove forests (Ghosh et al., 2015).

The project was characterized by its participatory approach, which includes:

1. Training local community members in mangrove ecology and restoration techniques
2. Establishing community-managed nurseries for mangrove saplings
3. Implementing a benefit-sharing mechanism that incentivizes long-term forest conservation and management 

This approach not only helps restore mangrove cover but also creates a sense of ownership and responsibility among local communities. By involving India’s coastal and local communities in every step of the restoration process, from seed collection to planting and monitoring, the project ensures long-term sustainability and protection of the restored areas. 

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2. Gujarat's community reserve

In 2019, mangroves in Kutch, Gujarat, India were significantly reserved through the engagement and conservational efforts of local communities. This community-led effort aims to protect 11.25 km² of mangrove forests and the biodiversity they support (Srivastava et al, 2021). The community reserve model allows for sustainable use of forest resources while ensuring their long-term conservation and restoration. 

Key features of this community reserve include:

1. Joint Forest Management (JFM) by local communities and the forest department
2. Development of sustainable livelihood opportunities, such as ecotourism
3. Integration of traditional ecological knowledge in conservation strategies

The Gujarat model demonstrates that community involvement is capable of more effective conservation outcomes. The model ensures that conservation efforts are aligned with local needs, by giving them more responsibility in the management of mangrove forests. 

3. Sindhudurg program/model

Along the coast of Maharashtra, the Sindhudurg district has implemented a successful community-based mangrove management program. This program involves local communities in mangrove protection, restoration, and sustainable utilization, serving as an example for other regions (Datta et al., 2012).

The Sindhudurg model emphasizes:

1. Establishment of village-level mangrove management committees
2. Regular monitoring and evaluation of mangrove areas by community members
3. Promotion of alternative livelihoods to reduce pressure on mangrove resources

This Sindhudurg model was significantly characterized by its ability to balance conservation with livelihood needs and interests. By promoting alternative income sources such as crab farming and mangrove nurseries, the program has reduced the community's dependence on unsustainable extraction of mangrove resources. 

Future directions, recommendations, and suggestions

Despite the aforementioned successes, a lot of challenges arise in the conservation of India's mangrove forests. Rapid coastal development, pollution, and climate change continue to threaten these valuable ecosystems. Several recommendations and suggestions could be implemented aiming to address these issues and optimize community-based efforts, as follows: 

1. Strengthening legal frameworks: Enhancing and clarifying legal provisions that support community-based natural resource management. This includes recognizing traditional rights and providing clear guidelines for community involvement in conservation, such as the Government of India’s Forest Rights Act of 2006, which strengthens community rights over mangrove forest (Lindsay et al., 2006). 
2. Enhancing capacity-building programs: Investing in training and education programs and developing local leadership and entrepreneurship skills is crucial to ensure the long-term sustainability of conservation efforts. This includes topics such as aspects of mangrove ecology, sustainable forest management practices, and climate change adaptation (Das, 2017). 
3. Integrating traditional and scientific knowledge: Combining Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) with scientific approaches (e.g. traditional fishing practices) can lead to more effective and culturally appropriate conservation strategies. This integration can enhance the resilience of both ecosystems and communities (Berkes, 2012). 
4. Developing sustainable financing mechanisms: Exploring options such as payment for ecosystem services, carbon credits, and ecotourism can provide financial incentives for conservation. The Blue Carbon Initiative, which focuses on the carbon sequestration potential of coastal ecosystems, offers promising opportunities for mangrove conservation financing.
5. Promoting stakeholder collaboration: Encouraging partnerships between government agencies, NGOs, research institutions, and local communities can lead to more comprehensive and effective conservation strategies. This will facilitate knowledge sharing, resource pooling, and the development of innovative solutions to conservation challenges.
6. Addressing climate change impacts: Conservation strategies need to incorporate climate change adaptation measures, such as creating buffer zones for mangrove migration and selecting resilient species for restoration efforts.

The different community-based mangrove conservation initiatives implemented along India’s coastal regions demonstrate the effectiveness and significance of involving communities in mangrove conservation, restoration and protection. By empowering local communities and fostering a sense of responsibility, these initiatives not only protect vital ecosystems, but also contribute to the well-being of coastal populations.

Community-based mangrove conservation in India represents a powerful approach to protecting these vital ecosystems while supporting local livelihoods. By addressing the challenges and optimizing the existing initiatives and strategies, India can secure a sustainable future for its mangrove forests and the communities relying on them. 

References: 

1. Anand, A., Pandey, P. C., Petropoulos, G. P., Pavlides, A., Srivastava, P. K., Sharma, J. K., & Malhi, R. K. M. (2020). Use of hyperion for mangrove forest carbon stock assessment in Bhitarkanika forest reserve: A contribution towards blue carbon initiative. Remote Sensing, 12(4), 597.
2. Badola, R., Barthwal, S., & Hussain, S. A. (2012). Attitudes of local communities towards conservation of mangrove forests: A case study from the east coast of India. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 96, 188-196. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2011.11.016  
3. Berkes, F. (2012). Sacred ecology (3rd ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203123843
4. Bunting, P., Rosenqvist, A., Hilarides, L., Lucas, R.M., Thomas, N., Tadono, T., Worthington, T.A., Spalding, M., Murray, N.J., Rebelo, L.-M. (2022). Global Mangrove Extent Change 1996–2020: Global Mangrove Watch Version 3.0. Remote Sensing, 14, 3657. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14153657.
5. Das, S. (2017). Ecological restoration and livelihood: Contribution of planted mangroves as nursery and habitat for artisanal and commercial fishery. World Development, 94, 492-502. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2017.02.010  
6. Datta, D.,  R.N. Chattopadhyay., & P. Guha (2012). Community based mangrove management: A review of status and sustainability. Journal of Environmental Management, 202, 250-259. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2012.04.013
7. Dutta Roy, A., Arachchige, P. S. P., Watt, M. S., Kale, A., Davies, M., Heng, J. E., ... & Mohan, M. (2024). Remote sensing-based mangrove blue carbon assessment in the Asia-Pacific: A systematic review. Science of the Total Environment, 938, 173270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173270
8. Donato, D. C., Kauffman, J. B., Murdiyarso, D., Kurnianto, S., Stidham, M., & Kanninen, M. (2011). Mangroves among the most carbon-rich forests in the tropics. Nature Geoscience, 4(5), 293-297. DOI: 10.1038/ngeo1123
9. Forest Survey of India. (2021). India state of forest report 2021. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2022/jan/doc20221207001.pdf 
10. Ghosh, S., Bakshi, M., Bhattacharyya, S., Nath, B., & Chaudhuri, P. (2015). A review of threats and vulnerabilities to mangrove habitats: With special emphasis on east coast of India. Journal of Earth Science & Climatic Change, 6(4), 270. DOI: 10.4172/2157-7617.1000270
11. Shilpi Srivastava & Lyla Mehta (2021). The social life of mangroves: Neoliberal development and mangrove conservation in the changing landscape of Kutch. DOI: 10.1177/2514848621104536
12. Lindsay, J., Wingard, J., & Manaljav, Z., (2006). Legal and policy framework for community-based natural resource management in India. Environmental Conservation, 47(2), 133-142. https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/8c27ba9d-7b96-4858-b87e-032b2a32218d/content 

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