Sustainable Aquaculture in Mangrove Ecosystems (SAIME) ( UPSC Prelims)

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News Context

The SAIME model (Sustainable Aquaculture in Mangrove Ecosystems), created by the Nature Environment and Wildlife Society, has been awarded Global Technical Recognition by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Sustainable Aquaculture in Mangrove Ecosystems (SAIME)

• A Multi-Stakeholder Partnership (MSP) is being developed to enhance transformative processes in the shrimp trade, serving as a foundation for the protection of mangrove ecosystems in South Asia.
 • In the Sunderbans, the SAIME initiative seeks to establish a resilient ecosystem by standardizing a culture methodology for brackish water aquaculture.
 • Funding is provided by the Global Nature Fund (GNF) in collaboration with Naturland e.V. and Mercedes Benz.
 • The project implements Integrated Mangrove Aquaculture (IMA), which aims to encourage extensive culture practices with low stocking densities and no additional feed input.

Mangroves and their Significance

A salt-tolerant plant community is typically found in tropical and subtropical intertidal regions. These plants flourish in areas with high rainfall (1,000–3,000 mm) and temperatures between 26°C to 35°C.
 Characteristics include:
  ● Unique root systems, such as pneumatophores and prop/stilt roots.  
  ● Viviparous nature, where seeds germinate while still attached to the maternal plants.  
 Significance:
      ○ Known as Nature’s Carbon Vault, these plants store 7.5–10 times more carbon per acre than tropical forests.
      ○ They provide a critical habitat for nurseries of fish and crabs.
      ○ Referred to as the Kidney of nature, they filter sediments.
      ○ Act as a natural shield against extreme weather events, such as storm surges.
      ○ Help prevent erosion and stabilize coasts.

Mangroves in India

     ○ The total mangrove cover in India is 4,991.68 sq. km., which constitutes 0.15% of the country's entire geographical area, according to the India State of Forest Report 2023 (ISFR-2023).
      ○ Between 2001 and 2023, India saw an 11.4% net increase in its mangrove cover.
  ● West Bengal has the largest portion of India's mangroves at 42.45%, followed by Gujarat with 23.32%, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands with 12.39%.  
        ○ The Sundarbans Mangroves, located at the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers on the Bay of Bengal, are unique as they are the only mangrove forest in the world, apart from those in Bangladesh, to support a significant tiger population.
      ○ Regional conservation efforts include TN-SHORE, a project primarily funded by the World Bank, aimed at enhancing the coastal economy and resilience of Tamil Nadu.