Sat Jul 26 05:00:01 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summarized news article based on the provided text:

**Headline: India Champions Mangrove Restoration Amidst Global Coastal Threats**

**Mumbai, July 30, 2025** – As coastal ecosystems worldwide face increasing threats from climate change and development, India is emerging as a leader in mangrove restoration, safeguarding its coastlines and supporting local communities. Mangrove forests, crucial for coastal protection, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration, are under pressure from urban expansion and pollution globally, with predictions that over half of the world’s mangrove ecosystems are at risk of collapse by 2050.

However, India is demonstrating that strategic, community-driven efforts can not only protect but also revive these vital ecosystems. States like Tamil Nadu and Gujarat are leading the charge with ambitious restoration projects.

Tamil Nadu has nearly doubled its mangrove extent between 2021 and 2024 through government initiatives and community participation. Successful projects, such as the restoration of degraded mangroves in the Pattuvanachi estuary and the green belt near Buckingham Canal, showcase the effectiveness of scientific planning and community engagement.

In Mumbai, a new public-private partnership, funded by Amazon’s Right Now Climate Fund, is underway to revive mangrove forests along Thane Creek. This initiative combines ecological restoration with urban cleanup, aiming to intercept plastic pollution and plant hundreds of thousands of mangrove saplings while empowering local women through employment opportunities.

Gujarat is exceeding national targets for mangrove planting under the Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes scheme, launched in 2023. The state has already planted over 19,000 hectares, focusing on coastal resilience, biodiversity, and local livelihoods.

These success stories highlight the importance of prioritizing mangrove conservation as a critical strategy for climate change adaptation and coastal protection. While the challenges are significant, India’s ongoing efforts offer a model for other nations seeking to protect and restore these invaluable ecosystems.

**Key Takeaways from the Original Text:**

* **Mangrove Importance:** Mangroves are critical for coastal protection (cyclones, erosion), biodiversity, and carbon sequestration (“blue carbon”).
* **Global Threat:** Mangroves are threatened globally by urban development, pollution, and climate change.
* **India’s Initiatives:** Tamil Nadu and Gujarat are leading the way in mangrove restoration through government programs, community participation, and scientific planning.
* **Mumbai Project:** A new project in Mumbai combines mangrove restoration with plastic cleanup, funded by Amazon and involving local communities.
* **Hopeful Outlook:** Despite the challenges, India’s success stories demonstrate that mangrove conservation and restoration are possible and necessary.

Read More