(a) whether mangrove forests have been destroyed during land reclamation projects in the country and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has any scheme for the conservation of mangrove forests and if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to revive and preserve the mangrove forests in the country?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)
(a) to (c)The Forest Survey of India (FSI) has been assessing the mangrove cover in the country by remote sensing through satellite data analysis along with Geographic Information System (GIS) platform on a biennial basis. As per the India State of Forest Report 2017, published by the Forest Survey of India, the mangrove cover in the country was spread over an area of 4,921 sq. km.
According to this report, the mangrove cover in the country has increased by 181 sq. km. in year 2017 as compared to the mangrove cover assessed in year 2015.
The Government has been taking steps to protect and enhance mangrove cover in the country through promotional as well as regulatory measures. The promotional measures are being implemented through a central sector scheme under National Coastal Mission Programme on conservation and management of mangroves and coral reefs. Under this programme, projects for conservation and management of mangroves are formulated and implemented in the participating coastal States and Union Territories.
Regulatory measures are implemented through Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification (2011 & 2019) and the Island Protection Zone (IPZ) Notification 2011 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.
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