Coastal Forest Protection and Green Cover Expansion in Andhra Pradesh

Relevance:
GS Paper III – Environment, Climate Change, Biodiversity, Coastal Ecosystems

GS Paper II – Governance, Inter-departmental Coordination, Public Policy

State PSC (APPSC / TGPSC) – Mangroves, Green Cover, Coastal Regulation

Important Keywords

For Prelims:

Coastal Forests, Mangroves, Green Cover Programme, Great Green Wall of Andhra Pradesh, Satellite Mapping, Forest Encroachment, Inter-departmental Task Force

For Mains:

Coastal Ecosystem Protection, Mangrove Conservation, Climate Resilience, Community Participation, Forest Governance, Land Use Regulation, Sustainable Development

Why in News?

The Andhra Pradesh government has accorded high priority to coastal forest protection, with Deputy Chief Minister and Forest & Environment Minister K. Pawan Kalyan directing officials to fast-track green cover initiatives and bring unclassified mangrove forests under legal protection.

Importance of Coastal Forests

Coastal forests, especially mangroves, play a crucial role in:

Protecting coastlines from cyclones, storm surges and erosion
Supporting marine biodiversity and fisheries
Acting as carbon sinks (blue carbon ecosystems)
Enhancing livelihood security of coastal communities

Andhra Pradesh, with a long coastline along the Bay of Bengal, is particularly vulnerable to climate-induced coastal hazards.

Government Initiatives in Andhra Pradesh

The State is implementing two major flagship programmes:

Great Green Wall of Andhra Pradesh
50% Green Cover Programme

Achieving 50% green cover has been identified as a key governance and environmental priority under the leadership of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.

Mangrove Protection through Satellite Mapping

Nearly 10,000 acres of unclassified mangrove forests have been identified
Detection was done using satellite imagery and geospatial data
The government plans to notify these areas as protected forests, bringing them under the legal forest framework

This step is significant as unclassified forests are often the most vulnerable to encroachment and land-use change.

Institutional and Governance Measures

A special inter-departmental task force will be constituted
A clear road map for implementation is to be finalised by the end of January
Departments dealing with forests, revenue, coastal regulation and rural development will coordinate for time-bound execution

Role of Coastal Communities

The government has emphasised community participation, urging:

Active involvement of coastal communities in plantation protection
Local vigilance to prevent forest encroachments
Community ownership of conservation outcomes

Such participation improves long-term sustainability and compliance.

Environmental and Climate Significance

Strengthening coastal forests contributes to:

Climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction
Biodiversity conservation
Carbon sequestration and climate mitigation
Sustainable coastal development

Challenges

Encroachments on forest and mangrove land
Competing land-use pressures
Need for sustained monitoring and enforcement
Ensuring livelihood compatibility with conservation goals

Way Forward

Legal notification of all identified mangrove areas
Integration of satellite monitoring with ground enforcement
Incentivising community-led conservation
Linking green cover expansion with climate action plans

Conclusion

By prioritising coastal forest protection, mangrove conservation and green cover expansion, Andhra Pradesh is taking a proactive climate-resilient development approach. The combination of technology-driven mapping, strong governance, and community participation can significantly strengthen coastal ecosystems while safeguarding livelihoods and environmental security.

CARE MCQ

Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) Scheme:

The MISHTI scheme aims to increase mangrove cover along India’s coastline and on salt pan lands through reforestation and afforestation measures.
The MISHTI scheme was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 2023, following India’s participation in the Mangrove Alliance for Climate at COP27.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: C

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: MISHTI focuses on restoring and expanding mangrove forests along the Indian coastline and salt pan areas to enhance coastal resilience and livelihoods.
Statement 2 is correct: The scheme was launched in 2023 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, aligned with India’s commitment after joining the Mangrove Alliance for Climate at COP27 (2022).