Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s mangrove forest cover has increased over the last two years, reflecting the state government’s continued efforts to enhance coastal resilience against cyclones. According to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023, released by the National Forest Survey of India, Odisha now has 259.06 sq km of mangrove forests, spread across five coastal districts.
As per the report, Kendrapara district has the highest mangrove cover at 212.69 sq km, followed by Bhadrak (32.39 sq km), Jagatsinghpur (8.42 sq km), Balasore (4.82 sq km), and Puri (0.74 sq km). Among the state’s seven coastal districts, these five regions have recorded significant mangrove growth, contributing to Odisha’s coastal ecosystem.
Recognizing the crucial role of mangroves in mitigating the impact of cyclones and rising sea levels, the state government has been actively planting mangrove saplings in suitable coastal areas through various schemes. Between the 2022-23 and 2024-25 financial years, the government has undertaken mangrove afforestation on 1,198 hectares, leading to a 1.55 sq km increase in mangrove forest cover within the last two years. This has resulted in the overall mangrove forest area growing from 257.51 sq km in 2021 to 259.06 sq km in 2023.
Forest, Environment, and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia provided this update while responding to a question in the Odisha Assembly. He reiterated the government’s commitment to expanding mangrove forests through sustained afforestation drives and conservation programs, ensuring long-term ecological protection for the state’s coastal regions.
