Changing perspectives of mangrove management in India – An analytical overview

•Strategies for mangrove management in India have been analyzed from the past.•Chronological decentralization in core management strategies has been found to be effective.•Key lacunas in existing mangrove management framework are identified and discussed.•Economic sustainability of the community is found significant for effective mangrove management.

The paper provides a deep insight into the managerial aspects of Indian mangroves and highlights the transition of Indian forest policies and their impacts on these extensive coastal ecosystems. Citing examples from historical past to the recent developing era, the paper highlights the transition of core mangrove management strategies and observes a paradigm shift from preventive to ameliorative management mostly through increased community participation in mainstream resource management. The paper also examines the existing framework of mangrove management, legislative and non-legislative provisions for conservation and identifies it's effectively against the persisting extinction threats. Addressing the major gaps and challenges, the paper concludes with some key recommended strategies for an effective mangrove management in India.