The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change held a workshop on mangrove conservation in Bhuj, Gujarat, where the Environment Minister reviewed progress on protecting these coastal ecosystems. The event featured the launch of new digital tools and publications designed to improve how mangrove habitats are managed across the state. The workshop brought together government officials, scientists and local communities working on mangrove restoration projects.
What was announced
The Environment Minister highlighted that mangroves serve multiple critical functions: they support coastal biodiversity, sustain fisheries, protect shorelines from erosion, build climate resilience and provide livelihoods to communities. Under the Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) programme, Gujarat has restored mangroves across 27,652 hectares as of now, working towards a target of 29,250 hectares by 2027. Of this, 12,450 hectares have been restored in the ecologically difficult Kori Creek region.
The restoration work emphasises techniques suited to the specific conditions of Kachchh, combined with efforts to boost biodiversity, develop seaweed cultivation, and create sustainable income sources for local people.
Three key resources were released at the workshop:
- A Coffee Table Book on Kachchh Mangroves
- The Mangroves Atlas of Gujarat
- The Mangrove GIS (MGIS) Portal, a digital tool to support decisions and track mangrove habitats across Gujarat
The Guneri Inland Mangrove Village Biodiversity Management Committee was recognised for its community-led conservation of an unusual inland mangrove ecosystem, which was named Gujarat’s first Biodiversity Heritage Site in January 2025.
What this means for you
If you live in or work with coastal communities in Gujarat, mangrove conservation efforts may create livelihood opportunities through seaweed farming and sustainable practices. The new GIS portal makes mangrove monitoring data publicly available, allowing researchers, students and environmental groups to track restoration progress. For competitive exam aspirants, understanding MISHTI and India’s coastal conservation approach is relevant to environment and geography studies.