- 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.
