Lok Sabha Question No. 3675 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-11
Subject: Conservation of Sundarbans Mangrove Ecosystem
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Jagannath Sarkar

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3675

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025

## Conservation of the Sundarbans Mangrove Ecosystem

## 3675.   SHRI JAGANNATH SARKAR:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the 4.23 per cent decline in very dense mangrove cover in the Sunderbans during the last decade, if so, the reasons therefor;
- (b) the  measures  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  address  salinization,  erosion, and threats to the mangrove ecosystem, including the Royal Bengal Tiger habitat; and
- (c) the  plans  to  enhance  conservation  efforts  in  the  Sunderbans  to  protect  biodiversity, sustain local livelihoods, and strengthen its role as a natural buffer against cyclones?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

- (a) The total mangrove cover in West Bengal, including the Sundarbans, as per the Indian State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2013 and ISFR 2023 is 2,097 sq. km. and 2,119.16 sq. km.  respectively,  thus  reflecting  a  gain  of  22.16  sq.  km  over  the  last  decade.  This growth is largely attributed to afforestation and eco-restoration efforts under State and Central  schemes  such  as  MISHTI  and  CAMPA-MGNREGS  convergence.  The Government has implemented both promotional and regulatory measures to protect, sustain,  and  augment  mangrove  plantations  nationwide.  Regulatory  steps  like  the Coastal  Regulation  Zone  (CRZ)  notifications  have  curbed  destructive  activities  and promoted natural regeneration, while key promotional initiatives include the 'Conservation  and  Management  of  Mangroves  and  Coral  Reefs'  Scheme  and  the MISHTI programme, which is being implemented across all coastal States and Union Territories.
- (b) To  address  salinization,  erosion,  and  other  threats  to  the  mangrove  ecosystem including the Royal Bengal Tiger habitat, the Government, in coordination with the State  Government  of  West  Bengal,  has  implemented  Integrated  Coastal  Zone Management (ICZM) projects involving mangrove afforestation, strengthening saline embankments, and promoting alternative livelihoods. Additional support comes from eco-restoration initiatives under the Green India Mission and conservation efforts for the Royal Bengal Tiger under Project Tiger in the Sundarban Tiger Reserve, which include  anti-poaching  camps,  habitat  improvement,  and  monitoring  using  camera traps and satellite telemetry. Continuous monitoring of salinity, hydrological changes,
- and  shoreline  erosion  is  also  conducted  in  collaboration  with  national  scientific institutions.
- (c) For enhancing conservation efforts in the Sundarbans to protect biodiversity, sustain local  livelihoods,  and  strengthen  its  role  as  a  natural  buffer  against  cyclones,  key initiatives  taken  include  preparation  of  a  comprehensive  management  plan  for  the long-term  conservation  of  the  Sundarbans  biosphere,  with  integrated  attention  to biodiversity, disaster resilience, and community participation. Efforts are underway to expand  mangrove  cover  through  afforestation  and  reforestation,  strengthen  early warning  systems  and  climate-resilient infrastructure, and  actively  engage  local communities  in  eco-development  and  mangrove  stewardship  through  Joint  Forest Management Committees (JFMCs).

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