Mangrove Ecosystems Face Mounting Threats Amid Conservation Efforts
Mangrove Ecosystems Face Mounting Threats Amid Conservation Efforts
IN · Published Jul 25, 2026
India's mangrove forests, spanning nearly 5,000 square kilometers, are facing significant threats from rising sea levels, aquaculture, coastal development, and abandoned fishing nets known as 'ghost nets' (CNN, 2026).
These nets, which break down into microplastics, are choking mangrove trees and disrupting ecosystems.

Impact & Risks

The degradation of mangrove ecosystems poses risks to biodiversity, climate resilience, and coastal communities. Mangroves are critical for preventing shoreline erosion, supporting fisheries, and storing carbon. The loss of these forests could exacerbate urban flooding and endanger species like Bengal tigers and bottlenose dolphins. Additionally, abandoned fishing gear contributes to long-term environmental damage by releasing microplastics and choking plant life (CNN, 2026). The global threat is significant, with more than half of mangroves at risk of collapse by 2050, according to the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems.

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