What are the threats to the mangroves?

1. Coastal Development
Coastal development may be the primary threat to mangroves. Not only are the
forests lost when a coast is developed, but a man-made structure almost always
replaces them. That structure (e.g., a hotel, desalination plant, coal-fired power
plant, nuclear plant, port facility, marina, cruise ship dock) inevitably brings with it
associated issues of altered hydrology, erosion, and pollution. The developments
are often associated with increased levels of pollution as well, including solid
waste, pesticides, thermal, biological (invasive species), brine, and oil.

2.Climate Change
Climate change is causing two important impacts along the world’s coastlines. Sea
levels are rising and the chemistry of the oceans is shifting. The rates at which
these impacts are occurring is likely to exceed the ability of mangrove forests and
the species that live within them to adapt

3.Deforestation
Most destructive uses of mangrove forests require their removal. The motivations
behind deforestation include direct use of the mangrove wood and leaf products,
use of the wetland habitat, or complete fill and conversion for coastal
developments.
What happened to the Sundarbans during the
Cyclone Amphan? ( Case study )
 When Cyclone Amphan struck West Bengal in May, its effects were largely
mitigated by the Sundarbans flanking its coasts along the Bay of Bengal.
 However, the cyclone damaged over 28% of the Sundarbans. About 1,200
square kilometres of these forests suffered damages.
 The mangrove trees’ leaves turned yellow and red– especially in
the Avicennia species. This phenomenon was more prominent among
the non-mangrove trees further inland. This has been attributed to root
damage and high salinity. Mangroves require a mix of freshwater and
saline water to grow. Very high salinity can damage even these trees.
 The loss to mangrove wildlife proved difficult to determine. They tend to
suffer the most during such cyclones.
 The impact of the damage was also felt by the communities that depend on
these mangroves. Also, the saline water
ingress affected agricultural activity in the adjoining area.
 In the aftermath of the disaster, the West Bengal government announced
plans to plant 50 million mangrove trees to compensate for the loss due to
the cyclone.
 However, this plan is being criticised as it doesn’t take the space
availability into consideration. Experts say that a single hectare can
hold 5,000 mangrove trees at the most. In that case, the proposed 50 million
trees would require a 100 square kilometre area.
 This is difficult given that many similar mangrove replantation projects have
been stalled due to space scarcity.
 However, the government is in the process of identifying lands for this
project and plantations is to start next October.