India must include blue carbon ecosystems in its climate policy to protect coasts and boost carbon sinks

A marine scientist argues that India's fragmented ocean governance is failing to address climate risks like marine heatwaves and stronger cyclones. The article highlights blue carbon ecosystems such as mangroves, seagrass, and salt marshes as natural carbon sinks that are not yet included in India's Nationally Determined Contributions. The author calls for a National Blue Carbon Framework to unify climate, coastal, and ocean policy. India has nearly 5,000 sq km of mangroves and 500 sq km of seagrass, but these are not mapped or managed as part of the country's carbon strategy. The piece notes that community-led seaweed production in Odisha reached 5,000 tonnes, showing economic potential alongside climate benefits. The core message is that healthy coastal ecosystems are infrastructure, not an afterthought. For a country with 11,000 km of coastline and 150 million people in coastal districts, integrating blue carbon into climate commitments could attract investment and improve planning. The article is a policy argument for treating ocean governance as a connected system rather than a set of separate jurisdictions.