Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) announced in the Union Budget of 2023-24 envisages to develop and conserve Mangroves ecosystem in approximately 540 square kilometers (sq. km.) in the coastal region comprising 11 States and 2 Union Territories during five years commencing from the year 2023-24. The Mission MISHTI activities include conservation, plantation and development of mangroves, sharing of best practices, management practices and resources mobilisation through Public Private Partnership. Objectives MISHTI scheme aims to conserve mangrove ecosystem, promote sustainable livelihoods for local communities, and enhance the resilience of the coastal ecosystem. The objectives of the scheme are as follows: Increase the mangrove cover along the coastline and on salt pan lands in India, with a particular focus on the Sundarbans delta and the Hooghly Estuary in West Bengal. Promote community-based mangrove plantation and restoration activities, involving local communities and NGOs in the plantation and maintenance of mangrove forests. Improve the ecological resilience of the coastal ecosystem by protecting against erosion, storm surges, and sea-level rise. Enhance the bio-diversity of the mangrove ecosystem and conserve threatened and endangered species. Implementation Process For implementation of the proposal, funding will be done from State Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), CAMPA National CAMPA and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and also from other sources. This dovetailing of funds will be well formulated at village, panchayat, district and State level. Activities The Core activities undertaken by State CAMPA will include Restoration through Gap Plantation; afforestation; and enrichment plantation. The funding for activities other than core activities will be done through National CAMPA, MNREGA and other sources. Any gap in financing through State CAMPA will be considered by National CAMPA. The core activities include- Mapping and delineation of target intervention areas Preparation of inventory based on scientific assessment of topography, hydrology etc. Nursery Development Mangrove Restoration/Plantation In addition, the other support activities include- Livelihood Diversification activities Awareness and Capacity Building Research and Development Publicity, Media and Outreach Monitoring and Evaluation Ecotourism with the help of SHGS Development of Interpretation Centres To view the complete implementation guidelines, click here. Source : National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority