Mapping and Monitoring of Mangroves in the Coastal

Districts of Gujarat State using Remote Sensing and Geo-

informatics

Patel Ajay1, Singh Vijay1, Khalid Mehmood1, Kathota Jaydipsinh1, Kalubarme M.H.1*, Pandya C. H.2, Joshi
Nischal2 and Brahmabhatt Lomesh2

1
Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG), Gandhinagar - 380 007, India
2
Gujarat Ecological Commission (GEC), Gandhinagar, 382 007, India

Abstract
There is a pressing need of having mangrove atlas of coastal areas which can fulfill the requirement of various stake holders
including the state governments in taking policy decisions. Gujarat Ecology Commission has, in this direction, made a humble
attempt to prepare mangrove atlas of the state with technical inputs from the Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications
and Geo-Informatics (BISAG). Probably for the first time, such a comprehensive document is prepared by Gujarat amongst all
Coastal states in the Western India. Mangrove atlas for 13-coastal districts with 35-coastal blocks/talukas in Gujarat, have been
prepared using Indian Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS) LISS-III digital data of the 2006-07 period. Attempts have also been made
to overlay the village boundaries based on the data available in the cadastral maps of the respective areas so that the status of
mangrove cover may be known down to village level. The maps have been interpreted at 1:10,000 scale and the mangroves have
been classified into two density classes namely, dense mangroves and spares mangroves.

The district-level as well as block-level maps indicating extent of , dense mangroves and sparse mangroves as well as potential
areas in 13-coastal districts with 35-coastal blocks in Gujarat state are compiled in the form of Mangrove Atlas of Gujarat State.
The comparison of mangrove area estimates carried out by BISAG and Forest Survey of India (FSI) indicates a net increase in
the area under mangrove cover. The present assessment by BISAG, has recorded 996.3 km2 under mangrove cover, showing a
steep rise of 88.03 km2. In addition to the existing mangrove cover, the present assessment also gives the availability of potential
area of 1153 km2, where mangrove regeneration program can be taken up.

Key words: Mangrove Atlas, Geographic Information System (GIS), Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS) LISS-III digital data,
mangrove density, dense mangroves and spares mangroves, mangrove ecosystem.

1. Introduction benefits through its impact on up gradation of coastal and

marine eco-system. It is well known that coastal population
1.1 Importance of Mangrove Ecosystem succumbs to disasters of cyclones and Tsunamis, incurring
heavy losses to their properties and live-stock. Mangrove
The Indian coast harbors richly diverse and critical coastal plantation along the coast serves as a barrier to cyclones and
habitats like coral reefs and mangroves. Mangroves form Tsunamis and protects the people living in coastal areas.
one of the most important ecosystems of coastal and marine
areas. They safeguard the ecology of the coastal areas and Mangroves are considered as one of the fragile ecosystem in
provide livelihood opportunities to the fishermen and coastal areas. Mangroves are unique plants capable of
pastoral families living in these areas. In real sense, mangrove surviving under extreme saline environment. Mangroves are
is the Kalpvriksh (mythological tree which fulfills desires) evergreen trees and shrubs that grow in saline coastal waters
for the coastal communities. Mangroves also provide indirect mainly in the tropics and also sometimes in subtropics,

2014 AARS, All rights reserved.
*Corresponding author: [email protected]
Cell Phone No. +919429354980, +919909945040
Mapping and Monitoring of Mangroves in the Coastal Districts of Gujarat State using Remote Sensing and Geo-informatics

mainly between 25˚N and 25˚S. The mangrove ecosystem is land, mudflats; beaches are absent at places. About 549
highly productive and plays critical role in economic and villages are inhabited along the coastal area with a total
social development. Mangroves act as a buffer zone between population of more than one million. There are in all 13
land and sea and protect land from erosion and play an coastal districts and 35 coastal talukas or blocks touching the
invaluable role as nature’s shield against cyclones, ecological sea water.
disasters and a protector of shorelines.
1.3 Status of Mangrove Ecosystem in Gujarat
The most favorable mangrove habitats are those having a State
sheltered environment, muddy soils, good rainfall and
temperatures ranging from 26 – 28OC. The endangered The mangrove vegetation, despite its multifarious role in
mangrove ecosystem has been accepted as a unique conserving the coastal and marine waterfront, remained a
biological setup which needs protection and conservation. subject of inadequate priority. Gujarat with the longest coast
Mangroves harbor variety of life forms and economically, line in the country harbors a sizable population of coastal
mangroves are a good source of timber, fuel and fodder and communities whose livelihood is directly or indirectly
hence are the main source of income generation for shoreline dependent on mangroves. Gujarat Ecology Commission
communities like fishermen. (GEC) initiated community based mangrove regeneration
program with financial support from India-Canada
1.2 Characteristics of Gujarat Coastline Environment Facility (ICEF) and covered more than 6000 ha
area until March-2009.
The state of Gujarat enjoys the distinction of having the
longest coast line in India. It is more than 1650 km long and The extremely useful but fragile ecosystem of mangroves
extends right from Jakhau in the Kachchh District to has, unfortunately undergone major degradation. The some
Umargam in the Valsad district. There are two prominent reasons of mangrove ecosystem degradation are as follows:
indentations in this stretch namely the Gulf of Kachchh and
the Gulf of Khambhat. The coastal environment of India i) population expansion, coupled with economic growth,
plays a critical role in the economy of the nation by virtue of
its resources and ecosystems such as mangroves, coral reefs, ii) alternative use of mangrove land, especially for the
salt marshes, sand dunes, estuaries etc. The Gujarat coast, production of fish, prawns,
due to its varied physiographic features, geomorphology,
iii) obscure regulations, inadequate manpower and logistics
coastal processes and river discharge into the sea, provides a
and,
wide variety of coastal features. Based on the distinct
variation in the land form categories, the Gujarat coast has iv) above all, insufficient reforestation techniques
been broadly classified into five regions, (1) The Rann of
Kachchh (2) Gulf of Kachchh (3) The Saurashtra Coast (4) There is an urgent need to conserve the mangrove ecosystem
Gulf of Khambhat (5) The South Gujarat Coast. The coast so that their current and potential usefulness to people is not
lines of the Gulf of Khambhat and Kachchh together form impaired. Government of India has restricted/prohibited
about 65% of the coast line of the state. The Rann of Kachchh certain activities in the costal zone and some afforestation
is a saline desert flooded during the monsoon but remains activity has also started. For successful reforestation, the
dry for the rest of the year. There are two major creeks which selection of sites becomes crucial. For a systematic long
connect the Rann namely, Surajbari creek in the Little Rann term planning of raising mangrove plantations along the
and Kori creek in the Great Rann. The Gulf of Kachchh has coastal areas, it was felt to prepare a comprehensive
an area of 7,350 km2 stretching in the east – west direction document based on mapping of mangroves using the remote
and about 170 km long. The shore line of the Gulf of Kachchh sensing and geo-informatics technology. Therefore,
has extensive mudflats and mangroves. The sandy beach of Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geo-
the gulf is made up of fine sand and broken shells and a high informatics (BISAG) was assigned the responsibility of
salinity occurs along the shore line. preparation of updated maps based on recent Indian Remote
Sensing Satellite data, depicting district and taluka-wise
The shore line of Saurashtra has a less indented sandy beach mangrove cover under different density classes.
and forms a continuous linear strip from Dwarika to Diu.
There is a wide difference between the Saurashtra coast and 1.4 Role of Remote Sensing and Geo-informatics
the coast at the two gulfs. Mudflats are restricted near
Dholera, Mahuva, Pipavav Port, Jafrabad creek, Diu and Remote sensing technique due to its synoptic, multi-
Porbandar. Unlike the Saurashtra and Kachchh coast, the temporal, coverage and multi-spectral ability in whole range
coast of Southern Gujarat is comparatively uniform, broken from visible to microwave wavelengths can effectively act as
by two indentations. A narrow sandy beach exists between tool par excellence providing advance and reliable
Mindhola and Purna rivers and this extends up to Daman. information on mangrove extent and status of its growth
There are numerous mudflats and marsh vegetation along the along the coastal areas. The reflectance pattern of vegetation
coast and it shows variations like sandy beaches, marshy in visible & NIR spectral region give information on

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Asian Journal of Geoinformatics, Vol.14,No.1 (2014)

condition of vegetation cover. The various satellite-derived A study was conducted to assess the mangrove vegetation at
indices such as Normalized Difference Vegetation Index Tumpat based on ground-truth and remote sensing
(NDVI) and Ratio of NIR & Red wavelengths can also be measurements in Tumpat Kelantan Delta on the northeast
effectively used to monitor the vegetation status and coast of Peninsular Malaysia (Satyanarayana et al., 2011).
condition of mangrove ecosystem. NDVI is based on The point-centered quarter method (PCQM) was used to
difference between maximum absorption of radiation in red estimate the stem density (number of stems/0.1 ha) and basal
due to chlorophyll and maximum reflection of radiation in area (m2/0.1 ha) at selected sites on the ground. Recent high-
NIR due to leaf cellular structure. The combination of red resolution multispectral satellite data (Quick Bird 2006, 2.4
and Infrared (IR) bands along with vegetation indices help in m spatial resolution of the multispectral image) were used to
distinguishing between mangroves, swamps and other produce land-use/cover classification and Normalized
vegetation in the wetland zones. Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI) mapping for the delta.
The area statistics reveal that mangroves occupy 339.6 ha,
Information about aerial extent and its condition at the state while coconut plantations dominate the vegetation (715.2
and national level have been generated at 1: 250, 000 as well ha), followed by settlements (621.6 ha), sandbar (148.4 ha),
as 1: 50, 000 scales using satellite data (Nayak, 1994). As per agriculture (89 ha) and aquaculture (42.7 ha).
this study, area under mangroves in Gujarat State during the
period of 1985 – 89 was 767 sq km and during the period of The reduction of mangrove habitat of continental Asia was
1990 – 92 was 1067 sq km. The significant change in the area studied using remote sensing data along with essential
under mangroves was observed after 1985, mainly because structural and physiognomic parameters of mangrove forest
in 1983, the Marine National Park, on the Gujarat Coast was areas (Blasco et. al., 2001). The mangroves located around
declared as the protected area by the Government of India. the Bay of Bengal and along the coast of South China Sea are
Due to this extensive conservation measures were initiated, of special interest because this coastline receives three major
which resulted in reversing the trend of degradation after tropical rivers namely Ganges, Irrawaddy and Mekong and it
1985. The repetitive nature of satellite data helps in has the world's largest mangrove stands in a single block (the
monitoring vital ecosystem areas as well as in assessing the Sunder bans). The concept of mangrove ecosystem
effect of conservation measures. Satellite data, especially rehabilitation studied was in detail and practical aspects of
IRS-1A, 1B, Landsat TM and SPOT have proved to be mangrove rehabilitation, such as the causes of site
extremely useful in creating baseline inventory and density- degradation, site selection, source of seedlings and planting,
wise mapping of mangroves of the Indian coast (Nayak et monitoring and maintenance were documented. The four
al., 1992, Bahuguna & Nayak, 1996). Mangroves have been main reasons for rehabilitating mangroves were also
classified based on density, into dense: more than 40 % identified: conservation, landscaping, sustainable production
crown density, sparse: 10 - 40 % crown density, and degraded: and coastal protection (Field, 1999).
mangroves having less than 10 % crown density.
Ecological surveys were carried out to investigate the
2. Remote Sensing and Mangrove Mapping distribution and characterization of remaining mangrove
stands in Hong Kong. The field studies indicate that 43
Southern Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia, was studied by mangrove stands, still remained along the coastline of Hong
analyzing Landsat TM satellite data (Long and Skewes, Kong despite tremendous reclamation and development
1996). The mangroves were mapped by selecting 10 training which occurred in the past 40 years (Tam et. al., 1997). The
set areas in dense mangrove (100% cover), and using the importance values (sum of relative abundance, frequency
maximum and minimum training set values for green, red, and dominance) show that K. candel was the most dominant
near-infra-red (NIR) and NIR/red to map the remaining species. Species richness and Simpson's indices together
mangroves. The accuracy of the map was improved by using with tree height, tree density and canopy area fluctuated
ecological information about mangroves. significantly between mangrove stands.
The impact of spatial and spectral resolution on accuracy of Different approaches to the classification of remotely sensed
mapping of mangroves was studied by Gao, 1999, in the data of mangroves were reviewed by Ellis et al., 1998 and
mangrove forests of Waitemata Harbor, Auckland, New five different methodologies were identified. Landsat TM,
Zealand. Mangroves were mapped into lush and stunted SPOT XS and CASI data of mangroves from the Turks and
categories from SPOT HRV and Landsat TM images at 10, Caicos Islands were classified using each method. All
20 and 30m using the maximum likelihood method. It was classifications of SPOT XS data failed to discriminate
found that the TM-generated results were the most accurate satisfactorily between mangrove and non-mangrove
at 95% for lush mangroves and 87.5% for stunted mangroves. vegetation. Classification accuracy of CASI data was higher
Their corresponding accuracy levels were lowered to 77.5% than Landsat TM and more mangrove classes could be
and 67.5% in the 20m SPOT XS-derived results. Both discriminated.
percentages were improved to 80% after the PAN band was
incorporated in the classification at 10m. Status and distribution of mangrove forests of the world
using earth observation satellite data were mapped and the

17
Mapping and Monitoring of Mangroves in the Coastal Districts of Gujarat State using Remote Sensing and Geo-informatics

status and distributions of global mangroves using recently total area of 1,96,024 km2. It is bound by the Arabian Sea in
available Global Land Survey (GLS) data (Giri et. al., 2011). the west, by states of Rajasthan in the north, Madhya Pradesh
Approximately 1000 Landsat scenes were interpreted using (land locked state) in the east and Maharashtra in the south.
hybrid supervised and unsupervised digital image Gujarat is the north - western state of India and the total
classification techniques. Each image was normalized for length of the coast line, facing the Arabian Sea is about 1650
variation in solar angle and earth-sun distance by converting km; situated within the longitude 68000’ E and 73000' E and
the digital number values to the top-of-the-atmosphere latitude 20º10' N and 23010' N. Based on the geographical
reflectance. The total area of mangroves in the year 2000 was situation and variable natural land, the Gujarat coastal zones
137,760 km2   in 118 countries and territories in the tropical have been divided into 5 regions:
and subtropical regions of the world. Approximately 75% of
world's mangroves are found in just 15 countries, and only • The Western or Indus - Deltaic region
6.9% are protected under the existing protected areas network
(IUCN I-IV). This study confirms earlier findings that the • The Gulf of Kachchh region
biogeographic distribution of mangroves is generally
• The Gulf of Khambhat region
confined to the tropical and subtropical regions and the
largest percentage of mangroves is found between 5° N and • The Saurashtra coast
5° S latitude. It was also observed that the remaining area of
mangrove forest in the world is less than previously thought • The South Gujarat coast
and the estimated area is 12.3% smaller than the most recent
estimate by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of Out of these five regions, the Indus-Deltaic and the Gulfs
the United Nations. constitute the major mangrove zones of the Gujarat coast.
Gujarat Ecology Commission has made a humble attempt to
Classification and mapping of the mangroves in Sunder ban prepare a Mangrove Atlas of the state with technical inputs
Biosphere Reserve (SBR) in the West Bengal province of from the Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications
India using IRS 1D LISS-III satellite data, was carried out and Geo-Informatics (BISAG). Such a comprehensive
using different classification approaches, namely on-screen document for the first time is prepared by Gujarat amongst
visual interpretation, supervised and unsupervised all Coastal states in the Western India. There are 13 coastal
classifications (Nandy and Kushwaha, 2011). The study districts with 35 coastal talukas in Gujarat (Census-2001).
showed that four mangroves classes and eight non-mangrove Attempt has also been made to overlay the village boundaries
classes could be delineated using all the three approaches. It based on the data available in the cadastral maps of the
was observed that among the three approaches, on-screen respective area so that the status of mangrove cover may be
visual interpretation yielded higher classification accuracy known down to village level. The map of the Gujarat State
(91.7%) compared to supervised (79.9%) and unsupervised showing coastal districts is shown in Figure-1.
classifications (71.1%). The results obtained through on-
screen visual interpretation showed that all mangrove 5. Methodology
categories together cover 23.2% of the total geographical
area of SBR, of which the mixed mangrove category covers Identification and accurate delineation of various classes of
maximum area (18.3%). mangrove and its density classes on the satellite image
depends on the detailed ground truth data as well as
3. Objectives differences observed in their spectral data on the satellite
images. The methodology adopted for mapping of mangroves
The major objectives of study on mapping and monitoring and their area estimation at block and district-level, broadly
mangroves in the coastal districts of Gujarat State are as consists of following:
follows:
i) Image processing and geo-referencing using Ground
• To study the mangrove extent and density status of Control Points (GCP) library
mangroves and map them on 1:10,000 scale using high
resolution Indian Remote Sensing Satellite data ii) Revenue administrative boundary superposition on
satellite images
• To prepare mangrove atlas at district-level/block-level
showing mangrove density status iii) Preparation of maps and Ground Truth (GT) data
collection
• Monitor the mangrove status at district / block-level and
also map potential areas for mangrove plantation iv) Delineation of mangrove areas and its density
classification
4. Study Area
v) Preparation of mangrove atlas at block and district level
Gujarat, a state of India located on the west coast, covers a

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Asian Journal of Geoinformatics, Vol.14,No.1 (2014)
Figure-1: Location map of the coastal districts in Gujarat State

Figure-1: Location map of the coastal districts in Gujarat State

Figure 1. Location map of the coastal districts in Gujarat State.

Table 1. Satellite
Table-1: data
Satellite data used
used in mapping
in mapping of mangroves.
of mangroves pre-monsoon seasons-2007) data preparation and geo-
Sr. No. Sensor Path/Row Date of Pass
referencing, ii) superimposing of administrative (district/
1. LISS-III 89 / 55 23-Oct-2006
block/taluka/village) boundary, iii) Generation of spatial
2. LISS-III 90 / 56 28-Oct-2006
information in GIS environment, iv) superimposing GPS
3. LISS-III 90 / 57 14-Apr-2007
locations of mangrove sites collected during GT data
4. LISS-III 91/ 56 11-Feb-2006
collection on the registered LISS-III digital data, v)
5. LISS-III 92 / 57 14-Oct-2006
identification & delineation of mangrove into different
6. LISS-III 92 / 58 05-Apr-2006
density classes, vi) generation of thematic maps showing
7. LISS-III 93 / 56 04-May-2006
mangrove extent, vii) quality checks and accuracy
8. LISS-III 93 / 57 28-Jan-2006 assessment. The methodology flow-chart adopted for
9. LISS-III 94 / 58 04-May-2007 mapping mangroves is given Figure-2. The geo-referenced
LISS-III FCC was displayed for exact delineation of
boundary and extent of mangrove areas as well as density
classification. The LISS-III, LISS-IV and CARTOSAT-I data
vi) Spatial and temporal change analysis was used for delineation of mangrove and their classification
in different density classes.
vii) Accuracy assessment
5.3 Ground Truth Data Collection
5.1 Satellite Data Used
Ground truth/field verification is an important component in
Indian Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS-P6) digital data of pre- this project and an important source of information for
monsoon and post-monsoon seasons covering the coastal verification and accuracy estimation / validation of thematic
districts of Gujarat state was acquired for mapping of details mapped from satellite imagery. Initially a
mangroves. The IRS-P6 digital data acquired is given in reconnaissance survey was carried out to identify mangrove
Table-1. growing areas in each coastal district and base maps were
prepared for detailed ground truth data collection. The
5.2 Mangrove Mapping Procedure cadastral survey numbers were also superimposed on theses
base maps for detailed and accurate identification of
Mapping of mangroves using Multi-date Remote Sensing
mangrove types and density classes.
Satellite (IRS-P6) LISS-III digital data consists of following
procedural steps: i) multi-season (post-monsoon- 2006 and During detailed ground truth data collection, hard copies of

19
Mapping and Monitoring of Mangroves in the Coastal Districts of Gujarat State using Remote Sensing and Geo-informatics

Figure-2: METHODOLOGY FOR MANGROVE MAPPING

Procurement of Satellite data

Geo-referencing
Image Processing Using GPS library

Revenue administrative Mapping using

boundary Pre filed mapping Interpretation technique

Mangrove Potential
Ground Verification
area

Reference from Integration of field

GEER foundation and Preparation of final layer Visit correction
FSI Information

Preparation of deliverables

Design of atlas

Figure 2. Methodology for mangrove mapping.

Mangrove Density: Dense Vegetation

Mangrove Density: Sparse Vegetation

Figure 3. Mangrove Density Observed along Coastal areas of Gujarat.

Figure-3: Mangrove Density Observed along Coastal areas of Gujarat

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Asian Journal of Geoinformatics, Vol.14,No.1 (2014)

satellite images with cadastral survey numbers along with 6. Results and Discusion
Global Positioning System (GPS) were also used for accurate
marking of mangroves on the satellite data. This detailed 6.1 Delineation of Mangrove and Classification
Ground Truth (GT) information was used to prepare
interpretation key for identification and delineation of The mangrove swamp is an association of halophytic trees,
various mangrove types and density classes in different shrubs and other plants growing in brackish to saline tidal
coastal districts on the satellite images. The potential areas waters of tropical and sub-tropical coastlines (Mitsch and
for mangrove plantations were also identified. The field Gosselink, 1986). On satellite FCC mangroves occur in
photographs of various mangrove classes were also recorded bright red colour if it is in continuous patch. When mangroves
to help in relating density class observed in the field with are scattered or degraded then instead of bright red colour, a
satellite imagery for accurate mapping. Some of the field light brick red colour may be seen. Different mangrove
photographs of mangrove vegetation cover classified as density classes along with mud flats along the Jamnagar
dense and sparse density classes are given in Figure-3. coast as seen on LISS-III FCC are shown in Figure-4. This
figure also indicates the delineation carried out for mapping
5.4 Preparation of the Mangrove Atlas mangrove density classes, mud flats and potential areas for
mangrove regeneration.
The satellite imagery pertaining to the year 2006-07 were
used for interpreting mangrove cover in the state. Attention 6.2 Status of Mangrove in 5-Regions of Coastal
has been focused to enable the target-user in obtaining, as far Zones
as possible, precise information regarding existing mangrove
cover and the potential area available for initiating planning 6.2.1 The Western or Indus – Deltaic Region
process to take up restoration and regeneration program
down to block level. Attempt has also been made to overlay The Indus river delta Arabian Sea Mangroves, also known as
the village boundaries based on the data available in the the Western Mangroves or Indus-Deltaic Mangroves,
cadastral maps of the respective area so that the status of represent a mangrove habitat that is adapted to some of the
mangrove cover may be known down to village level. The most extreme temperatures and salinity conditions in the
district-level as well as block-level maps (1: 10,000 scale) Western Indo-pacific region. One third of the mangroves are
indicating extent of mangrove, its density classes as well as in Gujarat and the rest in Pakistan. The Western mangrove
potential areas in all the costal districts of Gujarat state were cover in Abdasa and Lakhpat talukas cover an area of 529.5
prepared on 1: 10,000 scale. These thematic maps of km2 in intertidal zone from Koteshwar port in the north to the
mangrove extent in 13-coastal districts with 35-coastal northern side of Jakhau port limit. At present, along the
blocks/talukas in Gujarat state are compiled in the Mangrove mainland, mangroves are scrubby or exterminated. At the
Atlas of Costal Districts of Gujarat State. same time, the other sides of creeks and Bets have good

Dense Mangrove

Salt-pans
Mud-flats

Sparse Mangrove

Mud-flats

Agril. Vegetation
Agril. Vegetation

Figure 4. Mangrove
Figure-4: density
Mangrove classes
density classes& mudflats
& mud flatsObserved
Observed along
along the the Jamnagar
Jamnagar CoastCoast.

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Mapping and Monitoring of Mangroves in the Coastal Districts of Gujarat State using Remote Sensing and Geo-informatics

Figure:5
Figure Mangrove Map
5. Mangrove ofof
Map Gulf ofof
Gulf Kachchh
Kachchhshowing
showingextent alongcoastal
extent along coastalareas.
areas

mangroves. Akri, Medi, Siyadinar and Mahadi areas have state. Three species/sub species of Avicennia (A marina and
good forests along creeks. Mangroves in Kori creek towards Alba and the third species yet to be identified) and species
Pakistan are very dense and at some of the sites stem-density each of Rhizophora, Ceriops, Aegiceras have been recorded
reaches up to about 2000/ha. It is also important to mention on the Bets, whereas mangroves on shore have only the
here that this forest, at present, appears to be very impressive species of Avicennia. A survey revealed that 20 out of total
to everyone visiting the area. People are sometimes surprised 42 Bets in the Marine National Park support mangroves.
to see such a luxuriant growth at this latitude. As per the Mangrove map of Gulf of Kachchh showing extent of
study conducted by the Space Applications Centre (ISRO), mangrove along the coastal areas is shown in Figure-5.
Ahmedabad and GEER Foundation, over 640 km2 of
mangroves are registered in this area. Thus, Kori creek and 6.2.3 Gulf of Khambhat Region
surrounding areas support over 65% of the total mangrove in
the state. There is a large area of mudflats (about 200 km2) The Gulf of Khambhat region lies between the latitudes
within this swampy region which can be used for mangrove 20O30' N and 21030' N and longitudes 70O00' E and 73O00' E.
regeneration. This Gulf area is characterized by the estuaries, including the
Sabarmati, the Mahi, the Kim, the Dhadhar and the Tapti.
6.2.2 Gulf of Kachchh region Extensive mud flats, dunes, scattered sandy beaches make
this gulf a diverse ecotype. The areas around the gulf are
The Gulf of Kachchh contains both, mudflat islands with covered under the districts like Bharuch, Anand, Ahmedabad
fringing coral reefs and scattered mangroves. The and Bhavnagar. The 400 km long coastline of the gulf forms
Government of Gujarat has declared 162.89 km2 area as a about one-fourth of the total coastline of the state. The low
Marine National Park. This Marine National Park, with its lying area around the gulf has a significant impact on the
unique coral reefs, mangroves and other interesting marine coastal environment. Locally, the coastal region on the
flora and fauna is ecologically very important. The mangrove eastern side of the gulf is known as 'Bara' while a part on the
of Navalakhi, in Rajkot district is restricted to areas along northern side is known as 'Bhal'. Meaning of the term 'Bhal'
creeks and the plants are scrubby in nature. Although 77.7 in local parlance is 'forehead' where nothing grows. The term
km2 areas has been notified as mangrove forest. Cutting, is indicative of the harsh environment of the region. The
grazing etc. are the main reasons for degradation of tidal terrain around the Gulf of Khambhat is characterized by a
vegetation in the region. A majority of the notified forests in large variety of coastal landforms and low lying flat
this area are devoid of any vegetation due to camel grazing topography of inland areas. Almost the entire region is
and hyper-salinity of the soil. Diversity and quality of forest covered by alluvial deposits of the youngest geological
in the Gulf of Kachchh is better than that in other parts of the formations.

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Asian Journal of Geoinformatics, Vol.14,No.1 (2014)

Figure 6. Mangrove Map of Gulf of Khambhat showing extent along coastal areas.

The dominant areas under mangroves are seen near At present the area under mangrove cover in Porbandar is
Bhavnagar and Devla in Bharuch. There area a large number more than 100 ha, where the quality of forest may improve
of mudflats where mangroves can be developed. The coast further, if the present trend continues. A small patch of
around the gulf is indented by estuaries and consists of Avicennia marina near Harsad Temple in Porbandar district
extensive mudflats and sporadic presence of beaches. is scrubby and sparse and could not develop due to continued
Mangroves are found growing on the intertidal mudflats in a grazing. Similarly, a very small patch of Avicennia occurs in
very stunted and sparse form, near the Mahi, the Dhadhar, the creek connecting the Gomati River (stream) at Dwarka.
the Kim and the Sena estuaries. A patch of Avicennia is The Mangrove map of Jamnagar district in the Saurashtra
observed on the Alia Bet at the mouth of the Narmada coast region showing extent of mangrove is shown in
estuary. Mangrove map of Gulf of Khambhat showing extent Figure-7.
of mangrove along the coastal areas is shown in Figure-6.
6.2.5 South Gujarat Coast
6.2.4 Saurashtra Coast
This coast line is broken by several small tidal creeks and
Several islands, tidal flats, minor estuaries, embankments few minor estuaries like the Mindhola, the Purna, the
and beaches and rows of dunes are present along the Ambica, the Auranga, and the Daman Ganga. Mudflats and
Saurashtra coast. Mangroves on the Saurashtra coast, from marsh vegetation is also present. The mangrove patch near
Dwarka to Rajula, are confined to limited mudflats and Hazira, at the mouth of Tapti River, expanded gradually due
creeks near Dwarka, Porbandar, Mahuva, Diu, Jafarabad, to plantation and natural regeneration. A large area under
Bhutharai, Pipavav bandar, Narera Bet etc. These mangroves Avicennia was recorded. During the ground verification
are sparse and scrubby and consist of Avicennia sp. The exercise of various areas included in this Atlas, it has been
significant presence of a number of industries in this region observed that there are small but dense Mangrove patches of
has threatened the survival of these patches. In Porbandar Avicennia marina, A. officinalis, Sonneratia apetala and
'Khadi' (creek) extends up to 2-3 km in the city from the Aegiceras corniculatum. Area near Damanganga estuary
Arabian Sea. Recently, conservationists with the help of also has substantial Mangrove patches. The area surrounding
forest staff enforced protective measures. This brought about Kolak village in Paradi taluka of Valsad district contains
a speedy recovery in the 'khadi'. Local conservationists and small patches of diverse Mangrove Species. As per the
forest officials reported that there had been consistent estimate in the recent survey, South Gujarat region has 37.72
recovery of mangroves during the last 5-6 years. km2 of Mangroves. Out of which 18.14 km2 Mangroves are

23
Mapping and Monitoring of Mangroves in the Coastal Districts of Gujarat State using Remote Sensing and Geo-informatics

Figure:7
Figure 7.Mangrove
MangroveMap
MapofofGulf
GulfofofJamnagar
JamnagarDistrict
District showing extentalong
showing extent alongcoastal
coastal areas
areas.

dense in nature while 19.58 km2 are sparse in nature. It is The attention has been focused to enable the target-user in
also estimated that around 37.9 km2 area is potential area for obtaining, as far as possible, precise information regarding
Mangrove plantation activity. existing mangrove cover and the potential area available for
initiating planning process to take up restoration and
Dense mangrove patches have been observed in the Kolak, regeneration program down to block/taluka level. Attempt
Ambika, Purna and the Damanganga estuaries. Near has also been made to overlay the village boundaries based
Machhiwad, Khatalvada to the South of Auranga estuary, on the data available in the cadastral maps of the respective
there are 13 different species of Mangroves in small dense area so that the status of mangrove cover may be known
patches. It is observed that Industrial development in and down to village level. The maps included in this atlas have
around Hajira region poses potential threat to this fragile been interpreted at 1:10,000 scale.
ecosystem. The developmental activities like port and port
based industries as well as development of Special Economic Gujarat is the only state in the country, which recorded a net
Zone (SEZ) may also adversely impact on the Mangroves in increase in the area under mangrove cover that is 20 km2
the region. compared to the last assessment. It was 916 sq.km in the year
2003 and 936 km2 in the year 2005 (FSI). The present
6.3 Preparation of Mangrove Atlas of Gujarat assessment however, has recorded 1024.03 km2 under
State mangrove cover, showing a steep rise to the tune of 88.03
km2. More than one reason may be attributed to such a rise
Gujarat Ecology Commission has, made an attempt to which undoubtedly include, the sincere and untiring efforts
prepare and publish a Mangrove Atlas of the state with made by agencies engaged in different facets like artificial
technical inputs from the Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space regeneration/restoration programs, research–activities on
Applications and Geo-Informatics (BISAG). Probably for mangroves and creating increased awareness amongst the
the first time, such a comprehensive document is prepared by local communities regarding mangrove – conservation.
Gujarat amongst all Coastal states in the Western India. Increase is also due to inclusion of some mangrove areas in
There are 13 Coastal districts with 35 coastal talukas in South Gujarat which were ignored or considered as terrestrial
Gujarat (Census-2001). The satellite imageries have been forests in the previous interpretation. FSI Report classifies
used pertaining to the year 2006-07 for interpreting mangrove Mangrove cover into (1) Very dense (2) Moderately dense
cover in the state. The details have been made available in and (3) open Mangroves whereas, the present assessment
respect of the areas under dense as well as sparse mangroves. classifies mangroves in Gujarat into (1) Dense mangroves

24
Asian Journal of Geoinformatics, Vol.14,No.1 (2014)

Table-2: Status of Mangrove (Area in sq km) in different Coastal districts of

Table 2. Status of Mangrove (Area in sq km) in
Gujarat different Coastal districts of Gujarat State.
State

Region / District Mangrove Area Under different density classes

(sq km)
Dense Sparse Total Potential Area
Gulf of Kachchh
1. Jamnagar 73.0 107.0 180.3 132.1
2. Rajkot 2.7 6.1 8.8 6.9
3. Kachchh 120.4 552.1 672.5 543.0
Total 196.1 665.2 861.6 682.0
Saurashtra Coast
1. Amreli 0.09 1.47 1.56 1.32
2. Junagarh 0.0 1.64 1.64 0.0
3. Porbandar 0.35 0.86 1.21 0.o1
Total 0.44 3.97 4.41 1.33
Gulf of Khambat
1. Bhavnagar 3.80 12.90 17.70 39.60
2. Ahmedabad 10.55 20.28 30.83 110.48
3. Anand 0.0 2.54 2.54 114.28
4. Bharuch 15.47 26.99 42.46 153.12
Total 29.82 62.71 92.53 417.48
South Gujarat Coast
1. Surat 10.03 9.54 19.57 47.23
2. Navsari 7.44 6.94 14.38 1.86
3. Valsad 0.67 3.10 3.77 3.07
Total 18.14 19.58 37.72 52.16
Grand Total 244.50 751.46 996.26 1152.97

and (2) Spares mangroves. • Gujarat Ecology Commission with technical inputs from
the Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and
6.4 Status of Mangrove in Costal districts of Geo-Informatics (BISAG) prepared Mangrove Atlas for 13
Gujarat State Coastal districts with 35 coastal talukas in Gujarat State,
using satellite imageries of the 2006-07 period. The village
Equating moderately dense mangroves of Forest Survey of boundaries from the cadastral maps were also superimposed
India (FSI, 2005) with the dense mangroves of the present so that the status of mangrove cover may be known down to
assessment (2007) a net increase of 62.65 km2 is recorded village level.
while, equating open mangrove category of FSI (2005) with
the sparse mangrove of the present assessment, (2007) a net • The district-level as well as block/taluka-level maps
increase of 25.38 km2 is recorded making an overall increase indicating extent of dense mangroves and spares mangroves
by 88.03 km2. In addition to the existing mangrove cover, the as well as potential areas in all the costal districts of Gujarat
present assessment also gives the availability of potential state were prepared on 1: 10,000 scale. These thematic maps
area where mangrove regeneration program can be taken up. of mangroves in 13-coastal districts with 35-coastal blocks/
It is estimated that out of 1153 km2 potential area arrived at talukas in Gujarat state were compiled in the form the
through interpreting satellite imageries, half of this can be Mangrove Atlas of Gujarat State.
safely planned for implementing regeneration program. It is
also observed that the net increase of 88.03 km2 mangrove • The comparison of mangrove area estimates carried out by
cover is largely due to net increase recorded in respect of BISAG and Forest Survey of India (FSI) indicates a net
Gulf of Khambhat (39.20 km2) and South Gujarat Coast increase in the area under mangrove cover. The present
(17.72 km2). In case of remaining regions like Saurashtra assessment by BISAG, has recorded 996.3 km2 under
Coast and Gulf of Kachchh, an increase of 3.41 sq. km. and mangrove cover, showing a steep rise of 88.03 km2. In
27.7 km2 respectively is noticed. The contents that follow in addition to the existing Mangrove cover, the present
this document are intended to give comprehensive assessment also gives the availability of potential area of
information with respect to coastal /blocks/talukas and 1153 km2, where mangrove regeneration program can be
districts of the Gujarat coast including existing mangroves as taken up. These areas should be taken up for plantations after
well as the potential areas, fit for bringing the blank and detailed field survey.
sparse patches under future regeneration activity. The
district-level statistics under dense and sparse mangrove
vegetation density classes as well as potential areas for
mangrove plantation is given in Table-2. Acknowledgements

7. Conclusions The authors like to express their sincere thanks to Shri T. P.

25
Mapping and Monitoring of Mangroves in the Coastal Districts of Gujarat State using Remote Sensing and Geo-informatics

Singh, Director, Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Loveland, T., Masek, J., Duke, N., 2011. Status and
Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG), Department of distribution of mangrove forests of the world using earth
Science & Technology, Government of Gujarat, Gandhinagar observation satellite data. Global Ecology &
382 007 for his guidance and encouragement to carry out Biogeography, Volume 20, Number 1, January 2011, pp.
this project. 154-159(6).

The authors are also thankful to Mr. E. Balagurusamy, IFS, Long, B.G. and Skewes, T.D., 1996. A Technique for
Member Secretary (Retired), Gujarat Ecological Commission Mapping Mangroves with Landsat TM Satellite Data and
(GEC), Gandhinagar, for initiating this project and entrusting Geographic Information System. Estuarine, Coastal and
BISAG to implement the project. Shelf Science, Volume 43, Number 3, 1996, pp. 373-
381(9).

Nandy, S. and Kushwaha, S., 2011. Study on the utility of

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