- 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.
- These schemes are aimed at reviving and conserving India’s wetlands and mangroves, contributing to the campaign for a green future and green economy.
- 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 has75 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.
Amrit Dharohar Yojana:-
- Conserving Ramsar Sites The Amrit Dharohar Yojana focuses on the conservation of existing Ramsar sites in India through active public participation.
- Ramsar sites are wetlands of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
- With this scheme, these sites will become centers of eco-tourism and a source of green jobs, benefiting local communities.
- The scheme aims to achieve sustainable ecosystem development and will be implemented over the next three years.
MISHTI:-
- 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.