Odisha Among Six States to Benefit from MISHTI Scheme for Mangrove Restoration: Environment Ministry
New Delhi, July 29: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has reported that over 26,396 hectares of degraded mangrove areas across India have been brought under restoration during 2023–24 and 2024–25 as part of the ongoing MISHTI Scheme (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes).
Responding to a parliamentary query, Union Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh informed the Lok Sabha that 3,836 hectares of this restoration was supported through gap funding from the National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), while the remaining 22,560.34 hectares were taken up under convergence with State CAMPA, MGNREGS, and other schemes.
The MISHTI Scheme is aimed at restoring degraded mangrove areas and promoting sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities. It emphasizes local community participation and eco-development initiatives.
According to the official release, Odisha has been sanctioned ₹0.70 crore under the scheme for mangrove restoration and plantation activities in four districts: Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, and Puri. A total of 89 hectares is being targeted in the state. Notably, Junusnagar village in Kendrapara district, located near the Bhitarkanika Mangrove Division, has been identified for plantation over 5 hectares. An expenditure of ₹4.69 lakh has already been incurred for raising 13,750 seedlings in 2024–25.
The Eco-Development Committees (EDCs) in villages such as Junusnagar, Balabhadrapur, Ajagarpatia, and others are leading various interventions under MISHTI. These include nursery raising, plantation of mangrove species, and livelihood support activities such as backyard duckery, mangrove honey production using beehive boxes, and tailoring.
The Ministry highlighted that multi-stakeholder awareness and sensitization workshops are being conducted with participation from forest officials, local NGOs, Van Suraksha Samitis (VSS), EDCs, Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members, and academics to ensure widespread involvement in mangrove conservation.
Other states receiving funds under National CAMPA gap funding through MISHTI include Gujarat (₹6.2 crore for 2,500 ha), West Bengal (₹3.74 crore for 478 ha), Andhra Pradesh (₹4.71 crore for 701 ha), Kerala (₹0.67 crore for 13 ha), and Puducherry (₹1.94 crore for 55 ha).
The Minister underlined that the MISHTI Scheme incorporates regular community meetings, training sessions, and post-planting operations to strengthen grassroots-level commitment towards mangrove restoration. Registered local bodies and community institutions play a key role in maintaining ecological balance and enhancing climate resilience through these efforts.
The MISHTI Scheme was launched as part of India’s larger climate adaptation and coastal ecosystem conservation strategy and aims to combine environmental protection with tangible income opportunities for coastal communities.
