Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], March 1: Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, environmental conservation and sustainable development have been key priorities. In line with this commitment, the central government launched the MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes) scheme in 2023. This initiative aims to expand mangrove forests along the coasts of states and union territories, ensuring a sustainable future for coastal communities and ecosystems.
Within just two years, Gujarat has emerged as the national leader in mangrove plantation efforts, successfully planting mangroves across over 19,000 hectares under this initiative.
Launched on June 5, 2023, World Environment Day, the MISHTI scheme focuses on expanding mangrove plantations, mapping existing mangrove areas, assessing geographical and hydrological conditions, establishing nurseries, conducting awareness programs, facilitating training and research, monitoring growth, and promoting eco-tourism for long-term sustainability.
Gujarat has led the nation in this effort by planting mangroves across approximately 19,020 hectares at a cost of over Rs 76 crore in the past two years. Mulubhai Bera, Minister for Forest and Environment, highlighted that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Gujarat remains committed to environmental conservation, aligning with the vision of a ‘Viksit Gujarat to Viksit Bharat’. This commitment has positioned Gujarat at the forefront of the Central Government’s MISHTI scheme.
Mangroves are coastal forests consisting of trees that grow in saline water. They play a crucial role in improving water quality by filtering nutrients and sediments. Mangrove ecosystems are vital for supporting marine life, stabilizing coastal land, preventing salinity intrusion, and reducing the impact of natural disasters, such as cyclones. It is estimated that 1,500 species of plants and animals, including fish, birds, and larger mammals such as monkeys, sloths, tigers, and hyenas, depend on mangroves, as the shallow waters beneath the trees serve as breeding nurseries.
Mangrove forests also act as a green barrier to prevent coastal erosion and play an essential role in fish breeding, significantly contributing to the livelihoods of coastal communities. In times of cyclones, mangrove forests protect coastal areas, control salinity, and play a key role in agriculture in these regions.
Gujarat’s 1,650 km-long coastline provides an ideal environment for various ecosystems, including mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrasses. Under the MISHTI scheme, the central government has set a target of planting mangroves across approximately 540 sq. km in five years. Gujarat has already planted over 190 sq. km in just two years.
The state’s mangrove cover is strategically distributed across four major regions. Kutch District leads with 799 sq. km of mangrove cover. The Gulf of Kutch, including Marine National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, and districts like Jamnagar, Rajkot (Morbi), Porbandar, and Devbhoomi Dwarka, account for 236 sq. km of mangrove cover.
The central and southern Gujarat region, covering Bhavnagar, Ahmedabad, Anand, Bharuch, Surat, Navsari, and Valsad, has 134 sq. km of mangrove cover, including areas such as the Gulf of Khambhat and Dumas-Ubhrat. The Saurashtra region, including Amreli, Junagadh, and Gir-Somnath, has a moderate mangrove cover of 6 sq. km.
Over the past two decades, the Gujarat government has initiated extensive plantation campaigns to enhance mangrove ecosystems, reaffirming the state’s strong commitment to environmental conservation.
With a strategic distribution of mangroves across key regions, large-scale afforestation efforts, and supportive government initiatives, Gujarat has promoted biodiversity and strengthened coastal resilience. The state now serves as a global model for sustainable environmental protection.