Context:
First global mangrove assessment for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Ecosystems
Key Findings:
- 50% of mangrove ecosystems assessed are at risk of collapse
- Threats – Climate change, deforestation, development, pollution, dam construction and climate change.
- Climate change threatens one third (33%) of assessed mangrove ecosystems.
- Due to sea-level rise, 25% of global mangrove area is predicted to be submerged in the next 50 Years.
- Without significant changes by 2050, climate change and sea level rise will result in loss of around 1.8 billion tonnes of carbon stored
- Status of Indian Mangroves – Andaman and Bay of Bengal (Least Concern), South India (Critically Endangered), West India (Vulnerable).
Distribution of Mangroves:
- Asia has a share of 42 percent of the world’s mangroves, which is followed by Africa (21 percent), North/Central America (15 percent), Oceania (12 percent), and South America (11 percent).
- Countries with the largest area of mangroves – Indonesia, Brazil, Australia and Mexico
- Mangroves in India – West Bengal has a total of 42.45% of India’s mangrove cover, followed by Gujarat at 23.66%, and A&N Islands at 12.39%.
Initiatives for Mangroves:
- Mangrove Breakthrough – Launched at UNFCCC COP27 by UN High Level Climate Champions and Global Mangrove Alliance (GMA).
- Mangrove Alliance for Climate – Spearheaded by UAE in partnership with Indonesia.
- Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) in India
- 26 July celebrated as International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem
Source: IUCN
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. Under Ramsar Convention, it is mandatory on the part of the Government of India to protect and conserve all the wetlands in the territory of India.
2. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 were framed by the Government of India based on the recommendation of the Ramsar Convention.
3. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 also encompass the drainage area or catchment regions of the wetlands as determined by the authority.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2019 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect. Ramsar Convention is not a mandatory regime that enforce parties to conserve wetlands. Rather, it guides the member nations in conservation of wetlands.
Statement 2 is incorrect. Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 which is framed by the Ministry of Environment is not based on the recommendation of the Ramsar Convention.
