Source: NIE
Context: Gujarat has become the national leader in mangrove afforestation, covering 19,020 hectares in two years under the MISHTI scheme.
About MISTI Scheme:
- What it is?
- The MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes) scheme, launched in 2023, aims to expand India’s mangrove cover and enhance coastal resilience.
- Focuses on ecological restoration and livelihood generation for coastal communities.
- Launched In: Union Budget 2023-24, with implementation from 2023 to 2028.
- Funding Sources:
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- CAMPA Fund (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority).
- MGNREGS (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme).
- Other government and private funding sources.
- Under Ministry: Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
- Aims:
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- Restore degraded mangrove ecosystems and increase India’s mangrove cover.
- Strengthen coastal resilience against climate change and sea erosion.
- Promote ecotourism and sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities.
- Support global mangrove conservation under the Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC), initiated at COP27.
- Major Features:
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- Targeted Afforestation & Expansion: Covers 540 sq km of mangrove expansion across 9 coastal states and 4 Union Territories.
- Community & Livelihood Focus:
- Promotes sustainable income sources for coastal populations.
- Enhances fishing and ecotourism opportunities.
- Climate Change Mitigation:
- Strengthens shoreline protection against storms and rising sea levels.
- Supports India’s commitments under the Paris Agreement & UN SDGs.
Mangrove Status:
- Global Mangrove Distribution:
India’s Mangrove Distribution (India State of Forest Report 2023):
- The total Mangrove cover of the country is 4,991.68 km2, which accounts for 15 % of the country’s total geographical area.
