The Union government has taken up about 22,560 hectares of land to restore and conserve mangroves under the Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) initiative over the past two years.

About MISHTI Scheme
The MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes) scheme is an initiative by the Government of India to protect and restore mangrove ecosystems along the country's coastline. Launched in 2023, the scheme aims to address climate change and promote sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities. 

Objectives

• Ecological restoration: The primary goal is to restore and expand India's mangrove cover through afforestation and reforestation efforts in coastal regions and on saltpan lands.
• Climate change mitigation: Mangroves are highly effective in sequestering carbon and act as natural bio-shields against coastal erosion, sea-level rise, and storm surges. The scheme works to enhance this natural protection.
• Livelihood generation: MISHTI aims to provide tangible economic benefits and alternative income opportunities for coastal communities that depend on mangrove ecosystems, for example, through ecotourism.
• Community empowerment: The scheme involves local communities and various stakeholder groups in the planning and implementation of conservation activities.
• International commitments: The initiative aligns with India's membership in the Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC), launched at COP27 in 2022. 

Features and implementation

• Time frame: The five-year program, announced in the Union Budget 2023–24, is set to run from 2023 to 2028.
• Target area: MISHTI targets the restoration of approximately 540 square kilometers of mangroves across nine states and four Union Territories. The Sundarbans delta in West Bengal is a particular area of focus.

Funding mechanism: The scheme uses a convergence approach, drawing funds from multiple sources, including:

• Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) Fund.
• Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
• State government plans.

Stakeholder involvement: The program is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) through the respective State Forest Departments. It encourages participation from local communities, NGOs, and research institutions.
Participatory approach: The scheme involves community members in activities like nursery raising, plantation, and monitoring to foster a sense of ownership. 
Benefits

• Ecological benefits: Improved coastal ecosystem health, richer biodiversity, and increased carbon storage.
• Economic benefits: Enhanced livelihoods for coastal communities through sustainable resources and ecotourism.
• Climate resilience: Better protection for coastal communities and infrastructure from the impacts of climate change. 

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