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Source: The post is based on the article “50% mangroves in India to vanish by 2070: Study” published in The Hindu on 19th November 2022
What is the News?
A study was conducted on the condition of mangroves in India by Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences(BSIP).
What are the key findings of the study?
Impact of Climate change on mangroves: Mangroves along Indian coasts that act as coastal guards have shrunk considerably due to climate change.
– By 2070, Indian mangroves will further reduce and shift by around 50%, especially in southern India, due to a decline in suitable habitats along the east and west coasts of India.
Impact on mangroves region-wise: Mangroves in the southwest and southeast of the country that cover four states, namely, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh will be the most vulnerable. These coastlines will submerge and mangroves in the area will degrade more, compared to other areas.
– On the other hand, certain regions like Chilika and Sundarbans along the east coast and Dwarka and Porbandar along the west coast of India are likely to see less reduction and landward shift by 2070 due to the differential response to precipitation and sea level change in different parts of the Indian coastline.
Dominant mangrove species: Rhizophora mucronata and Avicennia officinalis are the two most dominant mangrove species along Indian Coastline. If they are reduced, the natural infrastructure that protects our coastlines and villages along them would be washed away.
