PM Modi launches Amrit Dharohar and MISHTI schemes for wetland, mangrove conservation

Tags: Environment Government Schemes

On the occasion of World Environment Day (5 June), PM Narendra Modi launched two schemes--Amrit Dharohar and MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes)--aimed at reviving the country's wetlands and mangroves.

An overview of the news

• PM said in the last nine years, the number of wetlands and Ramsar sites in India has increased almost three times as compared to earlier

• India currently has 75 Ramsar sites which are wetlands of international importance and have been designated under the norms of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

• India also has about 3% of South Asia's mangrove population.

• Apart from Sundarbans in West Bengal, Andaman region, Kutch and Jamnagar regions in Gujarat have substantial mangrove cover.

Amrit Dharohar Yojana

• The scheme was first announced by the Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the 2023-24 Union budget.

• The scheme will be implemented over the next three years to encourage optimum use of wetlands and enhance biodiversity, carbon stock, ecotourism opportunities and income generation for local communities.

• It will emphasise on the importance of lakes and their conservation.

• Amrit Dharohar aims to achieve sustainable ecosystem development over the next three years with the help of local communities.

MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes)

• The scheme was first announced by the Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the 2023-24 Union budget.

• This will facilitate mangrove plantation on salt lands along the sea coast of India.

• The scheme will operate through “convergence between MGNREGS, Campa Fund and other sources”.

• It aims at intensive afforestation of coastal mangrove forests.

• There are such forests on both the east and west coasts of India, with the Sundarbans in Bengal being one of the largest mangrove forests.

• Initially the mangrove cover will be restored in nine states across the country. 

• The scheme envisages the development of mangroves covering nearly 540 sq km, spreading across 11 states and two union territories over five years, starting from FY2023-24.

• The Centre will cover 80% of the project cost, while state governments will contribute the remaining 20%.