Lok Sabha Question No. 4175 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-27
Subject: Mangrove Plantations
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Unmesh Bhaiyyasaheb Patil, Shrikant Eknath Shinde, Tapir Gao, Krishna Pal Singh Yadav, Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Sujay Radhakrishna Vikhepatil, Heena Vijaykumar Gavit

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4175

TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.03.2023

## Mangrove Plantations

## 4175.  SHRI UNMESH BHAIYYASAHEB PATIL:

DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

SHRI TAPIR GAO:

DR. KRISHNA PAL SINGH YADAV:

PROF. RITA BAHUGUNA JOSHI

DR. SUJAY RADHAKRISHNA VIKHE PATIL:

DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) the steps taken by the Ministry towards the Conservation of the wetlands in the country;
- (b) whether the Government  has conducted any study/studies regarding the impact assessment  of  climate  change  on  wetlands  and  other  such  eco-sensitive  areas  in  the country, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has established any policy for mangrove plantations along the coastline if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has been able to achieve its aims and objective of the policy, if so, the details thereof;
- (e) the details of the area converted under the Mangrove plantation in the country; and
- (f) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  increase  the  area  of  mangrove  plantations  and conservation Mangroves the country?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a) The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has notified Wetlands  (Conservation  and  Management)  Rules,  2017  under  the  provisions  of  the Environment  (Protection)  Act,  1986  as  regulatory  framework  for  conservation  and management  of  wetlands  across  country  to  conserve,  manage  and  maintain  the ecological character of the wetlands without restricting the wise use.

Further, MoEF&CC is currently implementing a centrally sponsored scheme namely, National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems (NPCA) for conservation and management  of  identified  wetlands  (includes  lakes)  in  the  country  on  cost  sharing basis  between  Central  Government  and  respective  State  Governments.  The  scheme covers various activities such as interception, diversion and treatment of wastewater, shoreline  protection,  lake  front  development,  in-situ  cleaning  i.e.,  desilting  &  de- weeding,  storm  water  management,  bioremediation,  catchment  area  treatment,  lake beautification,  survey &  demarcation,  bio-fencing, fisheries  development,  weed control,  biodiversity  conservation,  education  and  awareness  creation,  community participation, etc.

The Ministry had undertaken 'Wetlands Rejuvenation' programme within the framework of  169  transformative  ideas  of  Government  of  India  i.e.  'Start  work  on Restoration & Rejuvenation of at least 100 major wetlands across the country'. In the first  cycle  of  the  programme, 130 wetlands were selected in consultation with State Governments  for  which  collection  of  baseline  information  and  rapid  assessment  of wetlands condition was done during the 100 days implementation period. Based on the above  list,  32  wetlands  were  identified  and  concerned  States/UTs  advised  to  take necessary action for their rejuvenation and restoration.

Ministry  has  launched  Mission  Sahbhagita,  on  the  occasion  of  Azadi  Ka  Amrit Mahotsav, which is an important step towards participatory conservation and wise use of wetlands to enable a society ownership approach with communities leading at the forefront. The Ministry has also launched 'Save Wetlands Campaign' as part of this Mission on 04.02.2023 at Goa on the occasion of World Wetlands Day 2023.

- (b) As per available information, MoEF&CC has not undertaken any such scientific study for assessment of climate change on wetlands.
- (c) to  (f)  The  Ministry  established  National  Coastal  Mission  Programme  (NCM)  for Conservation and Management of Mangroves with the objectives of their protection, sustenance,  conservation  and  augmentation  in  the  country  through  regulatory  and promotional measures. Activities related to conservation and management of coastal ecosystems such as mangrove plantation, shelterbelt plantation, coral transplantation, enhancement  of  livelihood  security  of  coastal  communities,  pollution  abatement  in coastal areas and capacity building are undertaken.

Central Government provides financial assistance to coastal States/Union Territories (UTs) on cost sharing basis under Central Sponsored Scheme which is implemented in nine coastal states and four UT involving 38 mangrove sites. Under this programme annual  Management  Action  Plan  (MAP)  for  conservation  and  management  of mangroves are formulated and implemented in the all coastal states and UTs.

As per the India State Forest Report (ISFR) 2021, the mangrove cover in the country has been estimated as 4992 sq km with net increment of 17 sq.km in the year 2021 as compared to the mangrove cover assessed in year 2019.