During the Budget speech Union finance minister announced multiple schemes towards the protection and conservation of India’s natural heritage, including mangroves and wetlands.
Key schemes announced in the budget are:
MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes)
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- It is a new programme that will facilitate mangrove plantations along India’s coastline and on saltpan lands.
- The programme will operate through “convergence between MGNREGS, Campa Fund and other sources.”
- This new programme will aim at the intensive afforestation of coastal mangrove forests.
Amrit Dharohar
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- This is a scheme that will be implemented over the next three years to encourage the optimal use of wetlands and enhance bio-diversity, carbon stock, eco-tourism opportunities and income generation for local communities.
- Amrit Dharohar will emphasise the importance of wetlands and their preservation, with an outlook that is inclusive of local communities as caretakers of the ecosystem.