UPSC Prelims 2026 Question:

Which of the following best explain(s) the rationale for protecting mangrove ecosystems in the context of climate resilience?

1. Mangroves reduce tidal energy and store freshwater, making them ideal sites for paddy cultivation in  saline estuarine belts. 
2. Their salt-sensitive roots filter seawater, making mangroves key to converting coastal land into  freshwater aquaculture zones. 
3. By withstanding tidal surges and offering biomass resources, mangroves function both as natural bio shields and livelihood bases for rural communities.
   
   

Select the answer using the code given below:

Explanation: 

• Mangroves do not store freshwater; they are salt-tolerant species that thrive in saline conditions. Clearing mangroves for paddy cultivation has historically been a primary driver of mangrove destruction,  not a justification for protection. So, statement 1 is not correct. 
• Mangrove roots do not "filter seawater into freshwater." Mangroves have salt-exclusion mechanisms  for their own survival, not to produce freshwater for aquaculture. Converting coastal land into freshwater  aquaculture zones by removing mangroves is environmentally destructive. So, statement 2 is not  correct. 
• They function as natural bio-shields by withstanding tidal surges and storm damage, and  simultaneously provide biomass resources, fuelwood, timber, and non-timber forest products that sustain coastal and rural livelihoods. This is consistent with the IPCC and IUCN's recognition of mangroves as  critical climate resilience infrastructure. So, statement 3 is correct.
  
  

Therefore, option (4) is the correct answer.