India, July 28 -- The Government of India issued the following news release:
A total of 26396.34 ha of degraded mangrove area have been brought under restoration efforts during 2023-24 and 2024-25 which includes 3836 ha area under gap funding from National CAMPA, through MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes) and 22560.34 hectares through convergence with State CAMPA, MGNREGS, and other schemes.
The details of the area and the funds released through National CAMPA are provided under Annexure 1.
A sum of rs 0.70 Crores has been released to the State of Odisha under the MISHTI Scheme for mangrove restoration and plantation activities in four districts, namely Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, and Puri. The total area being covered under this scheme in Odisha is 89 hectares. In Kendrapara district Junusnagar village, situated in and around the Bhitarkanika Mangrove Division, has been identified for plantation over 5 hectares under the MISHTI Scheme. An expenditure of rs 4.69 lakh has already been incurred during 2024-25 for raising 13,750 seedlings. The targeted interventions by the Eco-Development Committee (EDC)/ villages, including Junusnagar EDC, Balabhadrapur EDC, Ajagarpatia, and other fringe villages, include activities like raising of nursery, planting of mangrove species and livelihood support activities such as backyard duckery, mangrove honey production through beehive boxes, and tailoring initiatives.
Under the MISHTI Scheme, local community participation is a key component of implementation. Multi-stakeholder awareness and sensitization workshops are organized with the involvement of Forest Officials, local NGOs, Van Suraksha Samitis (VSS), Eco-Development Committees (EDC), Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members, academia, and representatives from various government departments, focusing on mangrove protection and conservation. Provision for regular community meetings, training sessions, and awareness programmes to promote conservation and the sustainable management of mangrove resources exist within the MISHTI scheme. Members of VSS and EDCs are actively encouraged to participate in nursery raising, plantation, post-planting operations, and watch and ward activities to strengthen local commitment towards mangrove conservation and restoration.
Annexure 1
Table: The details of the area brought under restoration and fund released to the States during the FY 2024-25 as Gap-Funding from National CAMPA through MISHTI Scheme
Table Omitted (The document can be viewed at https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2149281 )
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
