MISHTI

Why in news? :

The Union Budget for 2023-24 announced an initiative for mangrove plantation along the coastline and on saltpan lands, under MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes).

Mangroves:

Mangroves are salt-tolerant plant communities found in tropical and subtropical intertidal regions. They are important refuges of coastal biodiversity and act as bio-shields against extreme climatic events.

They are located in the intermediate zone between the land and the sea and represent one of the best examples of ecotone.

Threats to mangroves:

Deforestation: Agriculture and aquaculture, urban development, and harvestinghave caused the loss of more than a quarter of mangrove forests.

Land reclamation for agriculture and industrial activities has occurred in areas, which are under the Coastal Regulation Zone.

Increasing population in coastal areas

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