Strengthening Coastal Resilience: Evaluating the MISHTI Initiative for Mangrove Restoration

The Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) represents a strategic shift in India’s approach to coastal management. By focusing on the restoration and protection of mangrove ecosystems, the government aims to address the dual challenges of climate change-induced sea-level rise and the degradation of coastal biodiversity. The recent review in Bhuj, Gujarat, underscores the importance of integrating scientific restoration techniques with community-led participation, ensuring that local populations are not merely beneficiaries but active stewards of these vital ecological buffers. Mangroves serve as critical 'green infrastructure,' acting as natural barriers against cyclones, storm surges, and coastal erosion. Beyond their geophysical utility, they are significant carbon sinks, playing a pivotal role in India’s commitment to achieving net-zero targets. The MISHTI programme is designed to leverage the 'Blue Economy' potential, where the restoration of these ecosystems directly supports local livelihoods through sustainable fishing, apiculture, and eco-tourism. This holistic model addresses the socio-economic dimensions of environmental conservation, moving away from top-down exclusionary policies toward a more inclusive, participatory framework.