Which of the following statement (s) is/are correct about Indian fores...
- The Mangrove ecosystems are unique & rich in biodiversity and they provide numerous ecological services.
- Mangrove cover has been separately reported in the ISFR 2019 and the total mangrove cover in the country is 4,975 sq km. An increase of 54 sq Km in mangrove cover has been observed as compared to the previous assessment of 2017. Top three states showing mangrove cover increase are Gujarat (37 sq km) followed by Maharashtra (16 sq km) and Odisha (8 sq km). . The deltas of the Ganges, Mahanadi, Krishna, Godavari, and Kaveri rivers contain mangrove forests.
- The Sundarbans mangrove forest, one of the largest such forests in the world (140,000 ha), lies on the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers on the Bay of Bengal. It is adjacent to the border of India’s Sundarbans World Heritage site inscribed in 1987.
- The site is intersected by a complex network of tidal waterways, mudflats and small islands of salt-tolerant mangrove forests, and presents an excellent example of ongoing ecological processes. The area is known for its wide range of fauna, including 260 bird species, the Bengal tiger and other threatened species such as the estuarine crocodile and the Indian python.
Which of the following statement (s) is/are correct about Indian fores...
Indian Forest Reserve
Statement 1: Indian mangroves cover about 4975 km2 in the coastal regions.
This statement is correct. India is home to a significant area of mangrove forests along its coastline. These mangroves cover approximately 4975 km2 in the coastal regions. Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees and shrubs that grow in coastal intertidal zones, estuaries, and deltas. They play a crucial role in protecting the coastline from erosion, providing habitat for various species, and acting as a carbon sink.
Statement 2: Sunderban is the largest mangrove forest in India and it has been added to the list of biosphere reserves of UNESCO.
This statement is incorrect. While the Sunderbans is indeed the largest mangrove forest in India, it has not been added to the list of biosphere reserves of UNESCO. The Sunderbans is a vast mangrove forest located in the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers in the states of West Bengal and Bangladesh. It is known for its rich biodiversity and is home to the Royal Bengal tiger. The Indian part of the Sundarbans has been designated as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, but it has not been added to the list of World Heritage Sites.
In conclusion, only statement 1 is correct. Indian mangroves cover about 4975 km2 in the coastal regions, while statement 2 is incorrect as the Sunderbans has not been added to the list of biosphere reserves of UNESCO.
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed UPSC study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in UPSC.