Correct Answer - Option 3 : West Bengal
The correct solution is "West Bengal".
A mangrove is a shrub or small tree that grows in coastal saline or brackish water. The term is also used for tropical coastal vegetation consisting of such species.
Mangrove forests stabilize the coastline, reducing erosion from storm surges, currents, waves, and tides. The intricate root system of mangroves also makes these forests attractive to fish and other organisms seeking food and shelter from predators.
Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees, also called halo-phytes, and are adapted to life in harsh coastal conditions. They contain a complex salt filtration system and complex root system to cope with salt water immersion and wave action. They are adapted to the low oxygen conditions of waterlogged mud.
The mangrove forest are also referred to as Tidal forest because this forest can live both in salt and freshwater.
- “About 40% of the world’s mangrove cover is found in South East Asia and South Asia. India has about 3% of the total Mangrove cover in South Asia”
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Mangrove cover in the country has increased by 54 sq km (1.10%) as compared to the previous assessment.
- “The current assessment shows that mangrove cover in the country is 4,975 sq km [(1.2 million acres)], which is 0.15% of the country’s total geographical area.”
- West Bengal has 42.45% of India’s mangrove cover, followed by Gujarat 23.66% and A&N Islands 12.39%.
