About four dozen core mangrove species have been documented in India. Floristic diversity of mangroves is poor in Gujarat. Out of 13 species recorded in western coasts of India, 11 were encountered in Gujarat. At present, 8 species of mangroves belonging to 6 genera have been recorded in the State. They are; Avicenna marina, A. afficinalis, A. alba, Ceriops tagal , Rhizophora micromata, Algiers corniculatum, Acanthus illicifolius and Soneratia opetata. Other three species i.e. R. apiculate, Burguiera gymnorrhiza and B. cylindrica were not seen during recent years and hence it can be considered that they are exterminated or at verge of extermination. A. marina is the dominant species, which constitutes over 95 % of total mangrove trees in Gujarat.

Mangroves function as stabilizer of sediment on shoreline and protect coast from storm and salty wind. They are important nursery grounds for fish, prawn and variety of marine creatures. Mangrove forests in the Gulf of Kutchh are important nesting areas for resident water birds as thousands of nests were counted in the Gulf during summer. Mangroves protect coral reefs and function as genetic resource conservation area. Some of the species have very high medicinal value. In the Gulf of Kutchh, mangroves were used for supply of fodder to the livestock. In some areas, dependency of local people on mangroves for fodder, fuel and timber is very high. In recent years, mangrove areas are used for tourism. Lush green forest and attractive environment makes visit of a tourist incomparable and memorable.

Over 90 % of mangroves of Gujarat occur in the Gulf of Kutch, mainly on the coast of Kutchh and Jamnagar, Mangroves in and around the Kori creek bordering Pakistan constitute the 'largest blocks of good forest in Gujarat, which constitute over 60%of total mangroves in the state. The Government of India initiated a scheme on conservation and management of mangroves and coral reefs during 1986-87. A National Committee on Conservation and Management of mangroves and coral reefs has been constituted to advise the Government on policy and research related to conservation of these fragile ecosystems. Gulf of Kutch is an important site identified by the GOI for conservation and development. Estuaries in Surat, Val sad and Bharuch also support good mangroves.

State Government has notified an area of 1324.4 sq. LAN (665.9 sq. LAN in Jamnagar, 529.5 sq. LAN in Kutch and 77.7 sq. LAN in Rajkot) as mangrove or cher' forests. In the past, Gulf of Kutch had extensive 'Cher' cover along coast, but they were destroyed as a result of cutting, lopping and camel grazing. People realised impact of degradation, the Government initiated conservation measures and afforestation was done on suitable sites. Forest Department has planted 11860 ha area of inertial mudflats from 1983 to 1999. Impact is now visible on the Bets and in coastal area. As per the Forest Survey of India reports, mangrove cover increased progressively from 419 sq. km in 1993 to 689 sq. km in 1995, 991 sq. km in 1997 and 1031 sq. km in 1999. GEER Foundation made independent study in 1999 and estimated mangrove cover of about 940 sq. km in the state. There is potential area of another 600 to 700 sq. km, which is suitable for mangrove regeneration. Thus, mangroves can be expanded from about 1000 sq. km at the close of the millennium to about 1600 to 1800 sq. km in future under appropriate conservation and development measures.

Mangrove cover in the state has started improving after severe drought in 1987. Surprisingly, major areas transformed into dense cover of tidal forests, however some areas in Jamnagar and Kori creek of Kutch faced loss of mangroves as result of cyclones that occurred in the year 1998 and 1999.