🇮🇳 India Hosts 2nd BIMSTEC Ports Conclave

🗓️ Based on July 2025 PIB :-PIB
📍 Location: Visakhapatnam, India

🔥 Why in News?

India hosted the 2nd BIMSTEC Ports Conclave to improve connection between the countries near Bay of Bengal and promote blue economy, tourism, innovation, and trade.

🧭 What was the Theme for 2025?

“Navigating the Future: Blue Economy, Innovation and Sustainable Partnerships”

It means all BIMSTEC nations want to move forward together with eco-friendly sea trade, better innovation, and long-term partnerships.

🇮🇳 Why It’s Important for India?

It shows India’s leadership in the Bay of Bengal region.
It supports Sagarmala Project – India’s plan to develop ports and boost port-led growth.
It helps India’s goals in the Indo-Pacific region and strengthens ties with neighbours.

✅ Key Outcomes of 2nd BIMSTEC Ports Conclave

1. Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation (AMTC)

All member countries were urged to approve and implement the AMTC, which was signed during the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok (2025).
This agreement wants to improve:
- 🌊 Sea trade
- 🛳️ Tourism through ships
- 🎓 Maritime skill development
- 🏗️ Port-led development across member nations

2. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP)

This is a major project between India and Myanmar.
It connects India’s Northeast states to the Bay of Bengal.
It includes:
- A river route on Kaladan River from Sittwe to Paletwa (in Myanmar)
- A road from Paletwa to Zorinpui in Mizoram (India)
This project avoids the Siliguri Corridor (the narrow “Chicken’s Neck” area) and saves transport time and cost.
It is part of India’s “Act East” & “Neighbourhood First” Policy.

3. BIMSTEC Sustainable Maritime Transport Centre – Coming in Mumbai

India will start a BIMSTEC maritime centre in Mumbai under the IOCE-SMarT (Indian Ocean Centre of Excellence).
It will focus on:
- 🟢 Green shipping (less pollution)
- 🔌 Digital tech in ports
- 📜 Common maritime rules across BIMSTEC countries

4. Cruise Tourism – A New Focus

The conclave supported:
- Developing eco-sensitive cruise tourism
- Promoting Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model for cruise terminals
- Making Bay of Bengal a top sustainable tourism route

🌏 What is BIMSTEC?

Let’s break it down in simple words:

1. Meaning

BIMSTEC stands for:
Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation

2. History of BIMSTEC

Started on 6 June 1997 as BIST-EC (Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand)
Myanmar joined, became BIMST-EC
In 2004, after Nepal and Bhutan joined, name changed to BIMSTEC
Secretariat (Head Office) was made in Dhaka, Bangladesh in 2014

3. Member Countries (7 Nations)

Bangladesh
India
Myanmar
Sri Lanka
Thailand
Nepal
Bhutan

4. Areas of Cooperation

Earlier there were 6 sectors, later expanded and reorganised.

📌 Some key sectors are:

🏪 Trade
⚡ Energy
🧪 Technology
🚢 Transport
🌾 Agriculture
🌿 Environment
👨‍⚕️ Public Health
🌪️ Disaster Management
🔫 Counter-terrorism

👉 In 2021, sectors were grouped and given to each country to lead.

India is leading the Security Pillar which includes:

Counter-terrorism
Disaster Response
Transnational Crime
Energy Security

❓1. What is BIMSTEC?

Answer:
BIMSTEC means Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation.
It is a group of 7 countries near the Bay of Bengal working together for trade, transport, energy, and more.

❓2. Which countries are members of BIMSTEC?

Answer:
There are 7 members:

Bangladesh
India
Myanmar
Sri Lanka
Thailand
Nepal
Bhutan

❓3. Where was the 2nd BIMSTEC Ports Conclave held?

Answer:
It was held in Visakhapatnam, India in 2025.

❓4. What was the theme of the 2nd BIMSTEC Ports Conclave?

Answer:
The theme was:
“Navigating the Future: Blue Economy, Innovation and Sustainable Partnerships”

❓5. What is AMTC in BIMSTEC?

Answer:
AMTC stands for Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation.
It was signed in 2025 to improve port growth, maritime trade, tourism, and skills among BIMSTEC countries.

🌱 International Day for Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystem

📝 Let’s understand why mangroves are so special and why they’re in danger.

🗓️ Why in News?

26th July is celebrated every year as the International Day for Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystem.
This day remind us that mangroves are dying 3 to 5 times faster than other forests in the world.
As per UNESCO and IUCN, half of mangroves are already gone since 1985, and 50% of the remaining are at risk of total collapse.
In Tamil Nadu, Forest Department did awareness camps and used a cool method called Fish Bone Channel Technique to restore mangroves.

🌊 What are Mangroves?

Mangroves are special trees and shrubs that grow in salty water near coastal areas.
They live in muddy areas where water flows slowly and there's very less oxygen in the soil.
Mangroves like Rhizophora, Red and Grey Mangrove are common types found in India.
They protect our shores, trap carbon, and are home to many animals and fish.

🟢 Imagine trees standing on legs in water – that’s what mangroves look like!

📊 Mangrove Cover in India

According to the Indian State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023, India has about 4,992 sq km of mangroves.
That is just 0.15% of India's land area.
West Bengal has the most mangroves (mostly Sundarbans), followed by Gujarat.

🔍 Significance of Mangroves

1. Climate Warrior (Carbon Sequestration)

Mangroves store more carbon per hectare than most other forests — around 394 tonnes per hectare!
Some reports say 1 hectare of mangroves can lock away the same amount of carbon as 2,650 cars emit in a year!
And the best part? This carbon stays trapped for thousands of years. 🧊

2. Natural Coast Guard (Coastal Protection)

Their roots slow down waves and reduce flooding during storms and cyclones.
Mangroves can reduce wave power by up to 70% in big storms. They act like bio-shields.

3. Biodiversity Hotspot

India’s mangroves are home to 5,746 species, including:
- 🐅 Bengal tigers
- 🐍 Indian pythons
- 🐊 Crocodiles
- 🐦 260+ bird species
They are nurseries for fish and support 1/3rd of Southeast Asia’s wild fish landings!

4. Economic Lifeline & Food Provider

Mangroves help in fishing, honey collection, eco-tourism, and even boating.
They support the blue economy and give nutritious seafood full of protein and vitamins.
So, they are important for food security and livelihoods in coastal areas.

🐅 Sundarbans – The Giant Mangrove Jungle

The Sundarbans in West Bengal is the biggest mangrove forest in the world.
It is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a Ramsar Site.
Animals here include Royal Bengal Tigers, Ganges dolphins, and saltwater crocodiles.
It protects against cyclones and sea-level rise, but is under threat due to climate change and human activity.
Govt. is trying climate-smart villages and Joint Mangrove Management to save them.

🚨 Major Threats to Mangroves

Land Conversion:
- People cut mangroves to make space for shrimp farming, rice farms, and oil palm plantations.
- Around 43% loss is due to agriculture alone.
Urbanisation & Infrastructure:
- Roads, tourism, and buildings destroy mangrove land.
Pollution & Industrial Waste:
- Oil spills, plastic waste, and factory waste damage water and soil.
- Example: Niger Delta case where oil made mangroves die.
Climate Change & Rising Sea Levels:
- 33% mangroves are threatened due to rising oceans and strong cyclones.
Invasive Species:
- Plants like Prosopis juliflora (seen in Tamil Nadu) kill native mangrove plants by changing soil and water balance.

🛠️ Techniques to Save Mangroves

🐟 Fish Bone Channel Technique

This is used when water flow is low in degraded mangrove areas.
A central water channel (backbone) is made with small side channels like fish bones.
After water and salt level is balanced, mangrove seedlings are planted.
It looks like nature’s own water system – very smart and effective.

✅ Important Initiatives for Mangrove Protection

MISHTI – Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes
SAIME – Sustainable Aquaculture In Mangrove Ecosystem
MAC – Mangrove Alliance for Climate
MFF – Mangroves for the Future
CRZ Rules – Coastal Regulation Zone Rules
CAMPA Funds – For forest restoration
Vana Samrakshana Samitis – Andhra’s community-based forest care
Green Tamil Nadu Mission – for tree and mangrove planting

🛣️ What Should Be Done? (Way Forward)

Strong Laws Needed – Ban illegal cutting, pollution, and bad tourism.
Involve Locals – Let villagers adopt mangroves and earn through eco-jobs.
Use Technology – Use drones, AI, and maps to monitor mangrove health.
Restore Naturally – Grow many species using bio-restoration methods.
Eco-Planning – Plan coastal cities without hurting mangroves.
International Help – Work with global bodies like Ramsar and Blue Carbon Initiative for better mangrove care.

🌍 World Nature Conservation Day – 28th July

Reminds us to protect nature and biodiversity.
Supports India’s LiFE Mission (Lifestyle for Environment).
Encourages water saving, waste reduction, eco-friendly travel, and sustainable habits.

🤔 Final Thoughts

"Mangroves don’t just grow trees, they grow life. From baby fishes to royal tigers, from clean air to safe shores – they protect us all. But now they need our protection too. Let’s not wait for them to vanish. Let’s act smart and act now."

🧾 FAQs on Mangrove Conservation Day (26th July)

❓1. What is the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem?

Ans:
It is celebrated on 26th July every year, started by UNESCO in 2015, to raise awareness about the importance of mangroves and promote their conservation and sustainable use.

❓2. Why are mangroves so important?

Ans:
Mangroves are important because:

They protect coastlines from erosion, floods, and cyclones.
They store more carbon than most forests (help fight climate change).
They are nurseries for fish and support biodiversity.
They provide livelihood to coastal communities through fishing, honey, tourism.

❓3. Which Indian state has the highest mangrove cover?

Ans:
West Bengal has the largest mangrove area in India, mostly due to the Sundarbans.

❓4. What is the total mangrove cover in India (as per ISFR 2023)?

Ans:
According to the Indian State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023, India’s mangrove cover is around 4,992 sq. km, which is 0.15% of the country’s land area.

❓5. What is the Fish Bone Channel Technique?

Ans:
It is a mangrove restoration technique used where tidal water flow is low.

A central channel (backbone) with side feeder channels (like fish bones) is dug to let water in and then plant mangrove saplings once water and salt levels are balanced.

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30 July 2025 Daily Current Affairs | UPSC Prelims & Mains GS Analysis