Centre to focus on mangrove plantation along coastline

Union minister for environment, forest and climate change Bhupender Yadav on Tuesday said the Centre is focussing on mangrove plantation development and making them sustainable across the 7,500 km coastline of the country as part of Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes (Mishti).

The Centre is identifying biosphere areas, including the Gulf of Mannar in Tamil Nadu, Odisha's Satkosia and areas in Arunachal Pradesh, the minister said.

"The Mishti project is under process. The government has announced Mishti for mangrove plantation in the coastline. We want mangrove preservation and conservation. It is good for the development of the country and for the economic growth of the country," Yadav told ET.


"Not only in India but Sunderbans is the world's unique biodiversity sphere located between two countries. The central funds and state funds are allocated for this. The state government should make proper utilisation. I will talk to forest officials in the Sunderbans," the minister said.

Mishti was announced in the Union Budget 2023-24 for mangrove plantation along the coastline and on salt pan lands by Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Talking about identification of the biosphere reserves, Yadav said the central government is emphasising on public participation, departmental conservation and state government's cooperation.

"Mangrove plantation development and making them sustainable is the main focus of Project Misthi," he added.