The Resilient Mangroves of the Gulf of Kutch: Guardians of Gujarat’s Coast
The mangroves of the Gulf of Kutch, on Gujarat’s northwestern coast, are truly special. Growing in one of India’s driest and most saline coastal zones, these hardy trees have adapted to survive where few others can. Unlike the lush, river-fed mangroves of eastern India, the Kutch mangroves thrive with minimal freshwater, enduring extreme tides and salty winds. The dominant species, Avicennia marina, showcases incredible resilience, helping to stabilize the shoreline, support a variety of birds, fish, and crabs, and store valuable “blue carbon.” These unique mangroves stand as a symbol of nature’s adaptability and an essential guardian of Gujarat’s fragile coastal ecosystem.
Author & picture credit: Ishita Kariya, PhD Scholar, Department of Environmental Science, Central University of Rajasthan, NH-8, Bandarsindri, Kishangarh, Rajasthan, India.
