Mangroves Under Threat: Rising Sea Levels Compromise Global Carbon Sinks

For India, which hosts approximately 3% of the world's mangrove cover, including the iconic Sundarbans, these findings are particularly significant. Indian mangroves face similar threats from high-intensity cyclonic disturbances in the Bay of Bengal and rising sea levels in the Indian Ocean. The degradation of these forests not only undermines India’s 'Net Zero' 2070 commitments but also leaves millions of coastal inhabitants vulnerable to storm surges and erosion. From a governance perspective, this necessitates a shift from passive conservation to active, adaptive management. Initiatives like the MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes) scheme must now integrate long-term hydrological modeling to ensure that plantation sites can withstand future sea-level projections. Furthermore, the issue of "coastal squeeze"—where human infrastructure prevents mangroves from migrating inland—must be addressed through robust Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) frameworks. UPSC Relevance: This topic is highly relevant for GS Paper I (Changes in critical geographical features and flora/fauna) and GS Paper III (Environmental conservation and Disaster Management). It provides a contemporary case study on the limitations of nature-based solutions under extreme climate stress and is essential for answering questions related to India's climate resilience and coastal ecosystem protection.