Central Environment Minister conducted a mangrove conservation workshop in Bhuj, released key publications, and reviewed progress of MISHTI.

Central Environment Minister Reiterates Mangrove Conservation as National Priority at Combined Workshop in Bhuj, Kutch

In a combined workshop held in Bhuj, Kutch, the Central Environment Minister reiterated mangrove conservation as a national priority and highlighted multi‑tiered strategies to protect this sensitive coastal ecosystem. The workshop was attended by representatives from the Central Wildlife Board, the State Environment Department, the National Marine Research Laboratory (NMRL), and several non‑governmental organisations. The minister said that mangroves not only provide a climate‑change‑resilient buffer, but are also integral to local fisheries, climate protection, and biodiversity. He emphasised that effective conservation is only possible by combining sustainable management, community participation, and scientific research.

A highlight of the workshop was the launch of five major national mangrove research publications. These publications presented detailed studies on mangrove carbon sequestration, climate‑adaptation capacity, biodiversity assessment, socio‑economic benefits, and digital mapping techniques. The authors of the publications explained that these documents will assist policymakers in evidence‑based decision‑making and set standards for mangrove restoration projects across various states.

In the final session of the workshop, a detailed review of the progress of the Mangrove Integrated Sustainable Habitat Technology Initiative (MISHTI) was conducted. MISHTI, a multidisciplinary initiative operating under the National Climate Change Adaptation Plan, has implemented mangrove restoration, climate‑smart bio‑engineering, and community capacity‑building programmes over an area of more than 1,200 hectares in the past year. The minister praised these achievements and stressed the need to integrate climate‑protection models into a digital platform, strengthen public‑private partnerships, and increase research funding in the next phase. The workshop also resolved to prepare an action plan to establish a more extensive national network in the future and promote international cooperation.