India’s MISHTI initiative will restore 540 sq km of mangroves across coastal states and territories, aiming to protect shorelines, boost climate resilience and support livelihoods of coastal communities.
India has launched a large-scale mangrove restoration programme covering about 540 square kilometres across its coastal regions as part of efforts to strengthen climate resilience, protect shorelines and support the livelihoods of coastal communities.
The initiative, known as the Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes (MISHTI), is being implemented across nine coastal states and four union territories through large-scale mangrove plantation and conservation efforts.
Speaking during a question and answer session in the Rajya Sabha, India’s Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said the programme aims to restore degraded coastal habitats while also generating sustainable income opportunities for communities that depend on coastal ecosystems.
India’s coastline was previously estimated to stretch about 7,000 kilometres. However, recent assessments that include creeks and inlets place the country’s total coastline at more than 10,000 kilometres, highlighting the scale of coastal ecosystems that require protection and management.
Mangrove forests play a crucial role in protecting coastal regions from erosion, cyclones and rising sea levels, particularly along the cyclone-prone coasts of the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. They also support rich biodiversity and act as natural carbon sinks by storing large amounts of carbon.
Environmental experts say expanding mangrove coverage can significantly strengthen coastal resilience to climate change while supporting sustainable livelihoods for fishing and coastal communities.
The MISHTI initiative forms part of India’s broader efforts to restore critical coastal ecosystems, balancing environmental conservation with economic opportunities for people living along the country’s extensive coastline.
