International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews, Vol 4, no 1, pp 1566-1574, January 2023 International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews Journal homepage: www.ijrpr.com ISSN 2582-7421 Impact of Urbanization on Declining Mangrove Health of Goa Shwetakshi Mishra 1 1 School of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Goa University, Taleigao, Goa DOI: https://doi.org/10.55248/gengpi.2023.4144 Abstract Mangrove ecosystems are dense forests along the tidal estuaries and comprise incredible biological diversity. Mangrove trees are salt tolerant and survive in muddy anaerobic soils by the presence of pneumatophores (breathing roots). Mangroves have crucial ecological and economic importance. They carry out the source and sink in the carbon cycle, and protect the coasts from floods, tsunamis and other disasters. Mangrove leaves and bark are potential sources of pharmaceutical compounds to treat AIDS, jaundice and cancer. However, unregulated urban development, increased pollution, altered distribution and national highway expansion, bridges and increased tourism has resulted in the most destructive impact on mangrove forest. In the present study, a field survey of mangrove sites in Goa like the areas of Cortalim, Ribandar, Old Goa, etc. has conducted to observe the mangrove morphology, and growing pattern and analyse the impact of urbanization on declining mangrove health. Further, a survey was conducted to track public awareness about the declining mangrove ecosystem. The individuals were divided into four different categories and five questions were asked including whether they are aware of mangroves, their occurrence, their decline, and measures to protect them. Results suggest that most people are aware of declining mangroves but haven't experienced mangrove declines in their locality. Most people suggest that creating awareness, building mangrove farms and implementing strict rules can help in conserving mangroves. Keywords: Mangrove, Urbanization, Declining, Awareness 1. Introduction Mangroves are woody plants that generally have pneumatophores (breath in roots) and grow in regions between land and sea, mainly at the tropical and sub-tropical latitudes, where they exist in high salinity, extreme tides, strong winds, muddy conditions anaerobic soils. (Adame M.F, 2021)The term mangrove comes from the Portuguese words 'Mangue', a type of tree, and 'grove' refers to a group of trees. Thus, 'mangrove' may refer to the habitat as a whole or the trees and shrubs in the mangrove swampy. Mangroves grow in dense forests along tidal estuaries, salt marshes, and muddy coasts. Mangroves extend over 18 million hectares worldwide. They cover nearly a quarter of the world's tropical coastline. (Basha, 2018) Thus, mangrove ecosystems are often called tidal forests, oceanic rainforests, or even coastal woodlands. Mangrove forests are an ecosystem of incredible biological diversity comprising hundreds of algae, molluscs, crustaceans, fish, insects, reptiles, birds, and mammal species. Saltwater crocodiles, pelicans, egrets, spoonbills, flying foxes and monkeys are all residents of mangroves. Based on the location of a particular mangrove ecosystem, there are various zonation of mangroves formed. The zonation includes the Landward zone, Ceriops zone, Bruguiera zone, Rhizophora zone and the Seaward zone. (Yuvaraji, 2017) Individual species of mangrove trees have crucial ecological and economic importance. The mangrove ecosystem protects coastal regions from erosion, tsunami, and other extreme events. (Ajai, 2013) However, mangrove forests have experienced severe destruction due to unregulated urban development, increased pollution, altered distribution, the National Highway expansion, bridges, and increased tourism. For instance, Goa state has witnessed a sharp decline in mangrove areas over the last three decades. The mangrove cover has declined from 20,000 hectares in 1987 to 2,200 hectares in 2015. (Rodrigues, 2020) Thus, there is an urgent need to take action to conserve the mangrove ecosystem. Global support and public awareness could play a key role in succeeding in this aim of mangrove conservation. There is a minor success achieved too. As per the recent MoEF report of 2019, mangrove cover in India has increased by 1.10%. (Indian State of Forest Report 2019, 2019). In the present study an attempt is made to analyse the impact of urbanization on mangroves of Goa and understand public awareness about the decline in the mangrove ecosystem.