What are the geographical factors responsible for mangrove vegetation in India? How does climate change pose a threat to mangrove vegetation in India? (Answer in 250 words) 15 Marks

Mangroves demonstrate shock absorption capability during natural calamities as seen in Cyclone Amphan. Key mangrove locations in India include Rann of Kutch (saline mangrove region), Mumbai and Konkan Coast, Sundarbans mangroves, Bhitarkanika mangrove forest in eastern region, and Tamil Nadu mangroves. According to State of India Forest Report, mangroves account for 4,594 sq km with an increase recorded in the 2019-21 period.

Geographical factors supporting mangrove vegetation include ecotone zone between land and seawater, need for culturable soil with saline water observation capacity, areas with thick forest like Sundarbans, plant adaptation mechanisms such as halophytes with pneumatophores or breathing roots enabling adaptation to climate, sustained zone of river water flow into ocean (exemplified by Bhitarkanika with 2 zones of river confluence), coastal changes like eastern waxen domination on emergent coast, and tropical climate of 25-30°C. However, approximately 30% of mangrove land base has been lost as per IPCC report.

Climate change poses multiple threats to mangrove cultivation including sea level rise of 6mm in last 50 years (IWMO data), rising global temperature at 1.06°C per IPCC AR6, impact of rising variability in river flow due to glacier melting, coastal saline water intrusion on Sundarbans, variability of rain and monsoon patterns exemplified by desertification of Kutch, and impact of disasters like cyclones and tsunami as seen during Amphan on Sundarbans. COP 27 unveiled 'Mangrove for Climate' initiative. India's MISHI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Integrated Development) must be implemented with mangrove protection areas, coastal water treatment, and biotech technology for mangrove plantation to sustain mangroves as lungs and shock absorbers of coastal ecosystem.