From saplings to safeguards: How Gujarat is nurturing mangrove growth
Mangroves are among nature’s strongest coastal protectors, and Gujarat—holding about 23.66% of India’s total mangrove cover—has made their conservation a major priority. In Dholera and Kutch, large-scale restoration drives have revived hundreds of hectares, helping Gujarat add 253.06 square kilometres of mangroves between 2001 and 2023. The impact is clear: stronger coastlines, richer marine life, and more migratory birds returning each year. Mangrove restoration is now a core pillar of the state’s environmental strategy. The Forest Department works closely with local villagers and industries—training them to raise strong seedlings, choose suitable sites, and protect young plants from grazing. This partnership model ensures the mangroves not only take root, but flourish and aligns with the Centre government's MISHTI scheme - ‘Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes’. What began as a conservation mission is now a thriving green shield—protecting Gujarat’s coast, enriching livelihoods, and showing how powerful nature becomes when cared for with science and community support.
