Lok Sabha Question No. 114 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Conservation of Mangrove Forests
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Ravindra Dattaram Waikar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 114

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2024

## Conservation of Mangrove Forests

## 114.    SHRI RAVINDRA DATTARAM WAIKAR:

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

- (a) the  details  of  the  steps  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  to  promote, protect  and  conserve  the  mangrove  forests  as  a  unique,  natural  ecosystem  in  the country, State-wise including the State of Maharashtra;
- (b) whether mangrove forests on various sea coasts in the country are being destroyed by the people and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether any stringent rules and regulations have been formulated to deal with those who destroy mangrove forests;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government against the culprits;
- (e) whether the Government is considering any concrete plan for restoration/reforestation of mangroves and whether any proposal is under consideration with the Government; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to.(d) The Government has been taking steps to protect and enhance mangrove cover in the country through promotional as well as regulatory measures. Financial assistance has been provided to nine coastal  States and  one Union  Territory  under  the Scheme for 'Conservation and Management of Mangrove and Coral Reefs'. Thirty-Eight identified sites  in  these  States  and  Union  Territory  have  been  covered  under  the  scheme.  The details  of  the  identified  sites  is  given  in Annexure  I. Regulatory  measures  are implemented through  Coastal Regulatory  Zone (CRZ) Notification (2019) under  the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972; the Indian Forest  Act,  1927;  the  Biological  Diversity  Act,  2002;  and  rules  under  these  acts  as amended from time to time.

The State  Government of Maharashtra has taken several proactive steps for conservation of mangroves. The State Government has established a Mangrove Cell, dedicated  for  Mangrove  conservation.  Further,  Mangrove  and  Marine  Biodiversity Conservation Foundation has been established by the  State for enhancing mangrove cover and to promote research and livelihood activities.

- (e) & (f) The 'Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes' scheme has been launched to restore and promote mangroves as unique, natural eco-system and for  preserving  and  enhancing  the  sustainability  of  the  coastal  habitats.  The  scheme was launched on 5 th   June  2023  with  the  objective  to  'restore mangrove  forests' by undertaking mangrove reforestation/ afforestation measures along the coast of India. This programme envisage covering approximately 540 sq km area across nine coastal States and four Union Territories  including Maharashtra . A  total  of  ₹  12.55  crores have  been  released  to  the  States  of  Gujarat,  West  Bengal,  Kerala  and  UT  of Puducherry for restoration of 3,046 ha. of mangroves in financial year 2024-25.

Annexure I

|   Sl. No. | State / UT          | Mangrove Site                        |
|-----------|---------------------|--------------------------------------|
|         1 | West Bengal         | 1. Sundarbans                        |
|         2 | Odisha              | 2. Bhitarkanika                      |
|         2 | Odisha              | 3. Mahanadi Delta                    |
|         2 | Odisha              | 4. Subernarekha                      |
|         2 | Odisha              | 5. Devi Kadua Estuary                |
|         2 | Odisha              | 6. Dhamra                            |
|         2 | Odisha              | 7. Mangrove Genetic Resources Centre |
|         2 | Odisha              | 8. Chilka                            |
|         3 | Andhra Pradesh      | 9. Coringa                           |
|         3 | Andhra Pradesh      | 10. Krishna                          |
|         3 | Andhra Pradesh      | 11. East Godavari                    |
|         4 | Tamil Nadu          | 12. Pichavaram                       |
|         4 | Tamil Nadu          | 13. Muthupet                         |
|         4 | Tamil Nadu          | 14. Ramnad                           |
|         4 | Tamil Nadu          | 15. Pulicat                          |
|         4 | Tamil Nadu          | 16. Kazhuveli                        |
|         5 | Andaman and Nicobar | 17. North Andamans                   |
|         5 | Andaman and Nicobar | 18. Nicobar                          |
|         6 | Kerala              | 19. Vembanad                         |
|         6 | Kerala              | 20. Kannur                           |
|         7 | Karnataka           | 21. Honnavar/Dakshin Kannada         |
|         7 | Karnataka           | 22. Coondapur                        |
|         7 | Karnataka           | 23. Karwar                           |
|         7 | Karnataka           | 24. Managalore Forest Division       |
|         8 | Gujarat             | 25. Gulf of Kutch                    |
|         8 | Gujarat             | 26. Gulf of Khambat                  |
|         8 | Gujarat             | 27. Dumas Ubhrat                     |
|         9 | Goa                 | 28. Goa                              |
|        10 | Maharashtra         | 29. Achra-Ratnagiri                  |
|        10 | Maharashtra         | 30. Devgarh-Vijay Durg               |
|        10 | Maharashtra         | 31. Veldur                           |
|        10 | Maharashtra         | 32. Kundalika-Revdanda               |
|        10 | Maharashtra         | 33. Mumbra-Diva                      |
|        10 | Maharashtra         | 34. Vikroli                          |
|        10 | Maharashtra         | 35. Shreevardhan                     |
|        10 | Maharashtra         | 36. Vaitarna                         |
|        10 | Maharashtra         | 37. Vasai-Manori                     |
|        10 | Maharashtra         | 38. Malvan                           |