Gujarat has emerged as a national leader in mangrove afforestation under the MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes) scheme.

• This effort positions the state at the forefront of mangrove conservation in India.

Key Highlights

• Gujarat’s Achievement: It has successfully planted mangroves over 19,020 hectares in two years.
• National Target: The central government aims to plant mangroves across approximately 540 square kilometers (54,000 hectares) over five years under the MISHTI scheme. 

About MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes) Scheme

• It is a government-led program launched in 2023 to facilitate mangrove plantation along India’s coastline and on salt pan lands. 
• This project will span over five years starting from 2023-24 onwards and will be carried out across 9 States and 3 Union Territories.
• Funds: 
  • The scheme operates through the convergence of funds from 
    • The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), 
    • The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), and other sources. 
• Objective: The primary objective is the intensive afforestation of coastal mangrove forests to enhance ecological health and provide tangible benefits to local communities.

About Mangrove Forests

• Mangrove forests are also known as mangrove swamps, mangrove thickets or mangals.
• These are predominantly found along tropical and subtropical coastlines.
• Freezing temperatures are not ideal temperatures for mangroves. 
• It covers around 0.1 % of the planet’s surface. 
• Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world. 
  • This forest is situated in the vast delta of the Bay of Bengal.

Distribution of Mangroves

Mangrove Cover & Recent Trends (2023 Assessment)

• Distribution: In India, significant mangrove forests exist on both the eastern and western coasts, with the Sundarbans in West Bengal being one of the largest mangrove ecosystems globally.
• Total mangrove cover in India is 0.15% of the country’s geographical area.
• Canopy Density Breakdown:
  • Very Dense Mangroves: 1,463.97 km² (29.33%)
  • Moderately Dense Mangroves: 1,500.84 km² (30.07%)
  • Open Mangroves: 2,026.87 km² (40.60%)
• State-wise Changes (2021-2023):
  • Increase: Andhra Pradesh (+13 km², due to natural regeneration and plantation efforts in Krishna, Bapatla, and Kakinada), Maharashtra (+12 km², observed in Raigarh and Palghar districts).
  • Decrease: Gujarat (-36 km²).

Significance of Mangroves

• Coastal Protection: act as natural barriers against storms, tsunamis, and rising sea levels.
  • Their dense root systems stabilize shorelines by preventing erosion.
• Biodiversity Hotspots:
  • These ecosystems support a diverse array of flora and fauna, serving as breeding grounds for various marine species and maintaining ecological balance.
• Climate Change Mitigation: 
  • High carbon-dense ecosystems, sequestering ~3% of global tropical forest carbon despite covering less than 1% of tropical forest area.
• Economic Benefits: They support fisheries and tourism, providing livelihoods to coastal communities and contributing to the local economy.

Through initiatives like the MISHTI scheme, India aims to restore and protect these vital ecosystems, ensuring environmental sustainability and the well-being of coastal populations.