Environment and Ecology The Red List of Ecosystems ▪ IUCN recently released the, “Red List of Mangrove Ecosystems”. ▪ It is the first-ever global assessment of the mangrove ecosystems across the world. Key findings ▪ 50% of mangrove ecosystems are at risk of collapse. ▪ By 2050 about 7,065 km2 (5 %) more mangroves will be lost and 23,672 km2 (16%) will be submerged due to sea level rise. ▪ Mangroves in coastal regions around Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka and the Maldives were designated as ‘critically endangered’. Note ▪ The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has constituted 20 village mangrove committees to protect the mangrove cover. ▪ In Tamil Nadu, according to the Indian State of Forest Report, the extent of mangroves had doubled from 23 sq.km. in 2001 to 45 sq.km. in 2021. ▪ Mangrove restoration has been completed in 25 sq.km so far under the Tamil Nadu Coastal Restoration Mission.
