Maharashtra records the highest increase in mangrove cover throughout India

The Forest Survey of India (FSI) released its latest report titled India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2017 and the analysis shows that, there has been a 37% increase in the area under mangrove forests in Maharashtra between 2015 and 2017. This is the highest rate of increase across India.

The state's mangrove cover increased from 222 sq km in 2015 to 304 sq km in 2017. Maharashtra has reported the highest growth in mangrove cover, of 82 square kilometres, in the last two years in the country. According to the report, the total mangrove cover in the country increased by 181 sq km during this period. Of this, 45% was contributed by Maharashtra. This is the highest recorded in the country.

Raigad district has recorded the maximum increase of 29 sq km of mangrove cover followed by Thane and Palghar which together registered an increase of 31 sq km, whereas the increase in Mumbai Suburban district was 16 sq km,