PIB · Government of India ·

Union Environment Minister Chairs Bhuj Workshop on Mangrove Conservation, Releases Publications, and Reviews MISHTI Progress

Distilled Policy Brief

  • Union Environment Minister chaired a workshop on mangrove conservation in Bhuj, Gujarat, reviewing the progress of the MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes) scheme.
  • Under the 2023-27 target, Gujarat has covered 27,652 hectares out of the targeted 29,250 hectares under mangrove restoration, including 12,450 hectares in the Kori Creek area.
  • The Mangrove GIS (MGIS) portal was launched to strengthen science-based decision-making, and Guneri's inland mangroves were highlighted as Gujarat's first Biodiversity Heritage Site declared in January 2025.

🎯 Prelims High-Yield Examination Points

MISHTI scheme focuses on mangrove plantation along India's coastline and saline lands, converging CAMPA fund and MGNREGS. Guneri inland mangroves in Kutch, Gujarat, was declared Gujarat's first Biodiversity Heritage Site in January 2025.

⚖️ Mains Analytical & Syllabus Linkages

Analyze the role of community-led conservation, GIS-based technological monitoring, and bio-shield ecosystems like mangroves in mitigating climate change risks and enhancing coastal resilience in India.

🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill

Environment & Ecology

Consider the following statements regarding the mangrove conservation and the MISHTI scheme in Gujarat, based on recent policy updates: 1. The Mangrove GIS (MGIS) portal has been launched to strengthen science-based decision-making and monitoring of mangrove habitats. 2. Under the MISHTI scheme targets for 2023-27, Gujarat has covered over 27,000 hectares of mangrove restoration, including areas in the Kori Creek. 3. Guneri's inland mangroves were declared as Gujarat's first Biodiversity Heritage Site in January 2025. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  • [A] 1 and 2 only
  • [B] 2 and 3 only
  • [C] 1 and 3 only
  • [D] 1, 2 and 3
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
✓ Correct Option: [D] 1, 2 and 3

All three statements are correct. The Mangrove GIS (MGIS) portal was launched to support science-based decisions and monitoring. Under the 2023-27 target of 29,250 hectares for the MISHTI scheme, Gujarat has covered 27,652 hectares (including 12,450 hectares in Kori Creek). Furthermore, Guneri's inland mangroves were officially declared as Gujarat's first Biodiversity Heritage Site in January 2025.

Tark High-Yield Question Bank ⚡ Practice Full Test in Testing Arena ↗

🏛️ Historical Twin PYQ Anchor (2021)

UPSC Prelims 2021

Consider the following statements regarding the "National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)": 1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2. Central Pollution Control Board acts as the sole regulatory executive body.

Forensic Anchor: Cabinet Allocation of Business Rules & NCAP Framework
Examiner Trap Takeaway: UPSC swapped Central Pollution Control Board role with State Pollution Control Boards for state-level monitoring.

📚 Static Syllabus & Constitutional Linkages

Mangrove Ecosystems: Halophytic vegetation adapted to intertidal regions, featuring vivipary germination and pneumatophores (breathing roots), predominantly found in the Sunderbans, Gujarat, and Andaman coasts.
Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS): Well-defined areas that are unique, ecologically fragile ecosystems notified by State Governments under Section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.