Context

Once seen primarily as local sources of livelihood and fishery support, mangroves have now become central to global environmental priorities.

They play a key role in:

• Climate resilience
• Carbon sequestration
• Disaster risk reduction
• Biodiversity conservation

This global shift in perception has been shaped by a combination of scientific validation, international policy actions, and the tireless efforts of advocates—foremost among them, Dr. M.S. Swaminathan.

From the Margins to the Global Environmental Agenda

Traditional Knowledge Meets Global Science

• Local coastal communities have long recognised the value of mangroves.
• But wider attention only arrived in the late 1980s, through major international initiatives:
• UNDP and UNESCO’s 1988 regional mangrove research programme laid the groundwork.
• At the 1989 Climate Change and Human Responses conference, Dr. Swaminathan championed mangroves as buffers against climate risks such as rising seas and cyclones.

Innovative Proposals

• He called for sustainable mangrove management based on ecology, economy, and equity.
• His research also explored genetic transfer of mangrove salinity tolerance to crops like rice—linking ecosystem resilience with agricultural innovation.

Dr. M.S. Swaminathan’s Landmark Contributions

1. Institutional Foundations

• In 1990, he founded the International Society for Mangrove Ecosystems (ISME) and served as its first President.
• He co-drafted the Charter for Mangroves, which was incorporated into the World Charter for Nature (1992) at the UN Conference.
• Under his leadership, ISME launched several global initiatives:
• World Mangrove Atlas
• Economic/environmental assessments
• Restoration manuals and workshops
• GLOMIS (Global Mangrove Database and Information System)
• Regional genetic resource centres across Asia and Oceania

These efforts reframed mangroves from being “useless swamps” to vital, multifunctional ecosystems.

2. Transforming India’s Mangrove Policy and Practice

Early Missteps

• Mangrove exploitation in India dates back to 1783, with colonial-era policies focused on land clearance for agriculture.
• Restoration projects post-independence often failed, blaming local communities for degradation.

Participatory Turn

• In the 1990s, Swaminathan''s collaborative research with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department shifted the narrative:
• It revealed that misguided government management—not local use—was the primary cause of mangrove loss.
• This led to:
• The development of the “fishbone canal” hydro-ecological restoration method
• Implementation across states including Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat
• The launch of Joint Mangrove Management (JMM), formally recommended for national adoption in 2000

Mangroves as Nature’s Coastal Shields

• The 1999 Odisha super cyclone and the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami highlighted the protective value of mangroves.
• In both cases, areas with healthy mangrove cover suffered less damage, prompting large-scale restoration drives by both central and state governments.
• Mangroves are now treated as natural coastal infrastructure, critical to disaster management and resilience planning.

India’s Progress: Expanding Mangrove Cover

According to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023:

• Mangrove cover stands at 4,991.68 km², about 0.15% of India’s land area
• This marks an increase of 16.68 km² since 2019, reflecting:
• Evidence-based policymaking
• Stakeholder collaboration
• Long-term commitment to mangrove conservation

Conclusion

On the occasion of World Mangrove Day, it is important to recognise the journey of mangroves from local lifelines to global climate assets.

Thanks to the vision of pioneers like Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, combined with robust scientific work, policy leadership, and community involvement, mangroves are now viewed as essential tools in climate resilience, ecological balance, and sustainable development.

The future of mangroves will depend on our continued investment in science, stewardship, and solidarity.