Introduction
The Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) scheme was introduced during the Union Budget session 2023–24, by the finance minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, to facilitate the development of mangroves in the country and was implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). Spanning over 11 states and 2 union territories, the scheme would cover an area of around 540 sq. km. This scheme would be implemented for five years, w.e.f., FY 2023–24.
Considering the success achieved in afforestation in our country, Sitharaman declared that the MISHTI scheme would aim to develop mangrove plantations along the coastline of India as well as on saltpan lands, wherever possible. The implementation of the scheme will also provide tangible benefits to the local communities inhabiting those regions.
Saltpan lands can be explained as naturally forming expanses of ground, covered with salt and other minerals. They are formed where large water bodies have dried up over thousands of years, leaving salt, etc., as remnant. These lands usually shine under the sun.
Objectives of the MISHTI Scheme
- To explore the possible areas where mangroves can be grown
- To promote sound principles related to techniques for plantation, management procedures, conservation, and resources mobilisation via public private partnership (PPP)
- To conserve and restore the mangrove ecosystem found in the coastal regions of India by planting mangrove saplings in coastal regions
- To improve the socio-economic status of the nearby communities
Funding for the Scheme
Around 80 per cent of the project cost will be borne by the central government, while the remaining 20 per cent by state governments.
Purpose of Growing Mangrove Plantation
- The establishment of the mangrove plantation will serve the following purposes:
- Mangroves are mainly shrubs and trees that grow in intertidal water in coastal areas. They serve as a habitat for a varied range of marine creatures, have the ability to filter water before it enters the ocean, and prevent erosion of coastal regions and surging of storms.
- They provide for a rich food web, wherein molluscs and substrate having algae serve as breeding grounds for several creatures like mud crabs, small fishes, and shrimps. They promote artisanal fishing, and help people earn their livelihood by setting up fisheries.
- Mangroves are capable of holding a significant amount of carbon—around four times, held by other forested ecosystems. As a result, they can deal with climate change naturally. In addition, mangrove forests are known to absorb a large amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. This may not only lead to the elimination of carbon from the atmosphere but also prevent the release of CO2 when mangrove forests get destroyed.
- The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC/UNESCO) regards mangrove forests as highly productive coastal ecosystems.
- As our country has a long coastline of 7,517 km, it is likely to be affected by ocean-led climate change. Thus, conserving and reviving mangrove forests is very crucial for India.
It is to be noted that one of the major solutions to climate change is mangrove plantation, a fact that was also recognised at COP27.
Current Status of Mangroves in India
At present, around 0.15 per cent of the total geographical area of India, i.e., approximately 4,975 sq. km, is covered by the mangrove forests, which are largely found in the Sundarbans, the Andaman region, and Gujarat, particularly at Jamnagar and the Kachchh. Around 42.45 per cent of the total mangroves of India are found in West Bengal. India accounts for around 3 per cent of total mangroves in South Asia.
However, these mangroves are endangered. As per the Blue Carbon Initiative, around 30–50 per cent of the total mangroves found in the world have already disappeared. Each year, almost 2 per cent of them get destroyed or lost. As a result, not only the carbon absorbed by these mangroves is emitted back into the atmosphere but also less amount of CO2 is absorbed from the atmosphere.
Besides, the condition of existing mangroves has further been worsened due to human activities, including the construction of roads, railways and other infrastructure, along with the increasing number of storms, greater erosion of coastal regions, and declining coastlines.
Implementation of the Scheme
As per the Budget 2023, the MISHTI scheme will be implemented in conjunction with the CAMPA Fund, MGNREGS, and other sources. (CAMPA stands for Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority.) CAMPA is intended to enhance afforestation across different regions of the country. (MGNREGS stands for Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.) Implemented under the MGNREGA Act, 2005, the MISHTI scheme aims to increase employment opportunities for rural people. According to the experts involved with the functioning of mangrove plantations, under the MISHTI scheme, efforts need to be put to work in coordination with the local communities that have to shoulder the responsibility of nurturing the forests. Merely planting saplings of mangroves once in a while may not prove to be that effective!
Mangrove Alliance for Climate
During the 27th session of the Conference of Parties (COP27), to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC) was announced by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Indonesia, while India, Japan, Sri Lanka, and Spain were the members. MAC aims to educate and make people around the world aware of the importance of mangroves. It will work to create awareness of how mangroves play a vital role in tackling global warming and climate change. Having decided on their commitments related to restoring and growing mangroves, the member countries may share their techniques and extend their support to one another so that the coastal regions can be better protected and maintained.
India’s Way Forward
India’s commitment and efforts to conserving mangroves have started to bear fruit. According to ISFR (India State of Forest Report) 2021, there was an increase of 17 sq. km in the overall mangrove cover in 2021, in the country. The government, the private sector, and the local community should proactively participate in the process of mangrove preservation. The places where the ecosystem has been severely damaged will require the planting of new mangrove saplings. Moreover, rehabilitation measures need to be taken in order to transform sparse mangrove forests into dense ones. MISHTI is a remarkable move of the Indian government to achieve these aims.
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