**Executive Summary**
This document addresses Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 82 regarding the implementation of the Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) scheme in Tamil Nadu, answering questions about its status, incorporation of traditional knowledge, ecological sustainability measures, and livelihood enhancement initiatives. The response, dated for reply on 01.12.2025, outlines actions undertaken since the Budget Announcement of 2023-24. It specifies state-wise restoration efforts and notes that Tamil Nadu has not submitted a proposal for gap funding from National CAMPA under MISHTI.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **MISHTI Scheme Overview:**
* Launched to promote and restore mangroves and enhance the resilience of coastal ecosystems.
* Implementation is based on proposals from coastal States/UTs through convergence with schemes like State/National CAMPA and MGNREGS.
* Encompasses core activities (plantation and restoration) and support activities (livelihood diversification, awareness generation, capacity building, R&D, outreach, monitoring, and ecotourism).
* **Tamil Nadu Implementation:**
* The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has undertaken large-scale mangrove restoration with community involvement.
* From 2022–23 to 2024–25, 95 hectares of new mangroves were planted under NABARD, Green Tamil Nadu Mission (GTM), and NHAI schemes.
* Additionally, 250 hectares of degraded mangrove forests were restored under GTM and Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), and 52,000 mangrove seedlings were planted using linear methods.
* Since 2023-24, Tamil Nadu accounts for 1082 ha of the 22,560.34 ha taken up through convergence across 13 States/UTs for mangrove restoration.
* Tamil Nadu has not submitted any proposal for gap funding from National CAMPA under MISHTI.
* **State/UT-wise Mangrove Plantation and Restoration:**
* The document includes an annexure showing the state-wise breakdown of mangrove plantation and restoration since the inception of the MISHTI scheme.
* Total mangrove area taken up across States/UTs is 22560.33 ha
* Tamil Nadu has taken up 1082 ha
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder:** Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
* **Impact:** Responsible for the overall implementation and monitoring of the MISHTI scheme.
* **Action Required:** Continue to oversee the scheme's progress, provide support to States/UTs, and evaluate the effectiveness of the restoration efforts.
**Stakeholder:** Tamil Nadu Forest Department
* **Impact:** Implementing agency in Tamil Nadu, responsible for mangrove restoration activities.
* **Action Required:** Continue mangrove restoration efforts, explore submitting a proposal for gap funding from National CAMPA, and coordinate with other stakeholders.
**Stakeholder:** Coastal Communities in Tamil Nadu (local fishermen, women's self-help groups, and farmers)
* **Impact:** Beneficiaries of the livelihood enhancement and capacity-building initiatives under the MISHTI scheme.
* **Action Required:** Participate in the MISHTI scheme's activities, utilize the provided training and support, and contribute to the long-term maintenance of restored mangrove areas.
Key Entities Referenced
Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI): A scheme launched to promote and restore mangroves and enhance the resilience of coastal ecosystems.
Tamil Nadu: A state in India where the MISHTI scheme is being implemented for mangrove restoration.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The Indian government ministry responsible for overseeing the MISHTI scheme.
State/National CAMPA: A fund used in convergence with MISHTI for the implementation of mangrove restoration projects.
MGNREGS: A scheme used in convergence with MISHTI for the implementation of mangrove restoration projects.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 82
TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.12.2025
Restoration of Mangrove Areas under MISHTI Scheme in Tamil Nadu
82. SHRI S JAGATHRATCHAKAN:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) the current status of implementation of the Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats
and Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) scheme in Tamil Nadu, including the total area
identified, restored and under restoration so far, along with the timeline for completion;
(b) whether the MISHTI scheme has incorporated traditional ecological knowledge and
practices of coastal communities in Tamil Nadu as part of its restoration strategy and if
so, the details thereof;
(c) the measures taken to ensure ecological sustainability, biodiversity conservation and
long term maintenance of restored mangrove areas in Tamil Nadu under the MISHTI
framework; and
(d) the details of the capacity-building, training and livelihood enhancement initiatives
undertaken for local fishermen, women’s self-help groups and farmers under the
scheme in Tamil Nadu?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (d) As a part of Budget Announcement 2023-24, the Mangrove Initiative for
Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) was launched to promote and restore
mangroves and enhance the resilience of coastal ecosystems. Implementation of the scheme
is undertaken based on proposals submitted by the coastal States/UTs, through convergence
with various schemes including State/National CAMPA, MGNREGS and State Plans. The
MISHTI program encompasses both core activities, such as plantation and restoration, and
support activities, which include livelihood diversification, awareness generation and
capacity building, research and development, publicity and outreach, monitoring and
evaluation, and the promotion of ecotourism through Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and are taken
up as per the plans received from the States under MISHTI. The State/UT-wise details
including Tamil Nadu are provided in Annexure 1.The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has undertaken large-scale mangrove restoration with
community involvement. From 2022–23 to 2024–25, 95 hectares of new mangroves were
planted under NABARD, Green Tamil Nadu Mission (GTM), and NHAI schemes using
modified fish-bone designs. Additionally, 250 hectares of degraded mangrove forests were
restored under GTM and Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), and 52,000 mangrove
seedlings were planted using linear methods. So far, an area of 22,560.34 ha has been taken
up through convergence across 13 States/UTs for plantation and restoration of degraded
mangroves with 1082 ha in Tamil Nadu since 2023-24. The State Government of Tamil Nadu
has not submitted any proposal for gap funding from National CAMPA under MISHTI.
*****Annexure 1
Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) of the Lok Sabha Un-Starred Question No. 82
due for reply on 01.12.2025 by Shri S Jagathratchakan, regarding “Restoration of
Mangrove Areas under MISHTI Scheme in Tamil Nadu”
The State/UT wise mangrove plantation and restoration through convergence since the
inception of the MISHTI:
(Area in Ha)
S.
States/UTs 2023-24 2024-25 Total
No.
1 Andhra Pradesh 248.72 700.50 949.22
2 Goa 35.80 6.00 41.80
3 Gujarat 6930.00 12290.00 19220
4 Karnataka 135.00 220.00 355.00
5 Kerala 0.00 5.00 5.00
6 Maharashtra 138.27 184.49 322.76
7 Odisha 352.00 366.00 718.00
8 Tamil Nadu 590.00 492.00 1082.00
9 West Bengal 0.00 0.00 0.00
10 A&N Islands 8.50 11.00 19.50
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and
11 40.92 10.00 50.92
Daman and Diu
12 Lakshadweep 0.003 0.025 0.028
13 Puducherry 7.00 12.00 19.00
Total 8,423.13 14137.2 22560.33
*****