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About Mangrove Ecosystems

• Fast-Track Courts (FTCs): Origin & Establishment
  • Timeline: Recommendation of the 11th Finance Commission (2000).
  • Objective: Dispose of long-pending cases in district and lower courts, particularly cases involving undertrial prisoners who had been incarcerated for extended periods.
  • Evolution & Funding Mechanism:
    • Initial Setup: Central government funded 1,734 FTCs for a 5-year period (2000–2005).
    • Extension Phase: Extended until March 2011 with continued central funding.
    • State Devolution (Post-2011): Central funding ceased in April 2011. The Supreme Court in Brij Mohan Lal v. Union of India (2012) held that states could continue operating FTCs using state revenues.
  • Current Status: Functioning depends entirely on individual state government allocations and High Court administrative priorities.

Constitutional & Legal Anchor

• Article 48A: Directs the State to protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife.
• Article 51A(g): Imposes a Fundamental Duty on every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment, including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife.
• Judicial Precedents: The Supreme Court in the landmark T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad Case (1996) expanded the scope of forest protection to all forest-like areas regardless of ownership, prohibiting non-forest activities without prior approval.

Ecological & Economic Significance of Mangroves

• Ecological Significance:
  • Coastal Bio-Shield: Aerial root networks (pneumatophores and stilt roots) dissipate wave energy and buffer storm surge impact during severe cyclones.
  • Carbon Sequestration (Blue Carbon): Stores 4 to 10 times more carbon per hectare than terrestrial forests, mostly trapped underground in anoxic sediments.
  • Biodiversity Haven: Serves as breeding grounds for marine species and key fauna like the Royal Bengal Tiger, Saltwater Crocodile, and Irrawaddy Dolphin.
  • Water Filtration & Elevation: Traps riverine sediments to prevent coastal erosion, filter pollutants, and build land elevation against rising sea levels.
• Economic Significance:
  • Fisheries & Livelihoods: Over 80% of global commercial fish species depend on mangroves during their life cycle, sustaining coastal artisanal fisheries.
  • Forest Produce: Supplies sustainable timber, fuelwood, medicinal plants, fodder, and mangrove honey.
  • Ecotourism & Savings: Drives eco-tourism in regions like Bhitarkanika and Pichavaram while saving billions annually in avoided infrastructure damage.

Reasons for Depletion & Conservation Measures

• Reasons for Depletion:
  • Aquaculture Expansion: Unplanned conversion of tidal zones into shallow shrimp/fish ponds (bheries).
  • Infrastructure & Urbanization: Port construction, coastal highways, and tourism corridors fragmenting fringe forests.
  • Pollution & Hydrological Disruptions: Untreated sewage, industrial effluents, and reduced freshwater flow due to upstream dams altering estuarine salinity.
  • Climate Stressors: Coastal squeezing due to sea-level rise and canopy destruction from frequent severe cyclones.
• Conservation Measures:
  • Targeted Afforestation: Implement the MISHTI Scheme by converging MGNREGS and CAMPA funds.
  • Legal Enforcement: Enforce strict CRZ-IA protections under the CRZ Notification 2019 with mandatory 50-meter buffer zones.
  • Community Co-Management & Tech: Promote eco-development committees, leverage the global Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC), and deploy satellite/drone monitoring to halt hidden encroachments.

National Data & Frameworks

• India State of Forest Report (ISFR): India's total mangrove cover stands at 4,991 sq. km (0.15% of national geographical area). West Bengal holds the largest share, accounting for 42.45% of the national total (~2,119.16 sq. km).
• Key Committees: The M.S. Swaminathan Committee (2005) recommended strengthening Coastal Regulation Zone management through science-based demarcation, while the Kasturirangan Committee emphasized protecting fragile coastal systems alongside community livelihoods.

Related Previous Year Questions

• Mains Exam [2019]: Discuss the causes of depletion of mangroves and explain their importance in maintaining coastal ecology. [150 Words] [10 Marks]
• Prelims Exam [2026]: Which of the following best explain(s) the rationale for protecting mangrove ecosystems in the context of climate resilience?
  1. Mangroves reduce tidal energy and store freshwater, making them ideal sites for paddy cultivation in saline estuarine belts.
  2. Their salt-sensitive roots filter seawater, making mangroves key to converting coastal land into freshwater aquaculture zones.
  3. By withstanding tidal surges and offering biomass resources, mangroves function both as natural bio shields and livelihood bases for rural communities.
  • Correct Answer: (d) 3 only