India’s First Mangrove Restoration Standards
- Background: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is developing India’s first national standard for restoring mangrove ecosystems. The objective is to improve restoration methods, conserve biodiversity, and support local communities.
Key Features
- Eco-friendly planting materials
- BIS recommends using biodegradable or cloth bags instead of plastic (polythene) bags for raising and planting mangrove saplings.
- This helps reduce plastic pollution and protect the environment.
- Support for local livelihoods
- The guidelines recommend planting fruit-bearing trees on the landward side of mangrove areas.
- This provides additional income and livelihood opportunities for people living near the forests.
- Scientific restoration
- The standards recommend planting appropriate mangrove species in suitable intertidal zones.
- This helps recreate healthy ecosystems and enhances biodiversity by attracting local fauna such as crabs and small fish.
- Carbon credit benefits
- The guidelines acknowledge that restored mangrove forests can sequester (store) large amounts of carbon.
- Furthermore, they propose a framework to help local communities earn income through carbon credits generated from these restored ecosystems.
About the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
- National Standards Body: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is India’s national body for setting standards. It was established under the ‘Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016’.
- Objective: Its primary objectives are to establish quality standards, certify and mark products, and ensure the quality and safety of goods and related services.
- History: BIS was established as the successor to the Indian Standards Institution (ISI), which was founded in 1947.
- International Role: BIS represents India in international standardization bodies such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
- Parent Ministry: It operates under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
- Headquarters: The BIS headquarters is located in New Delhi; it also has regional and branch offices across India.
