National MISHTI workshop held in Vijayawada to strengthen mangrove conservation

Vijayawada: A national-level MISHTI workshop on mangrove conservation was held in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, on January 8 and 9, officials said.

The event brought together forest officials, environmental experts, and key stakeholders from across the country. The discussions focused on sustainable mangrove restoration and long-term shoreline protection. At the same time, participants examined ways to improve livelihoods for coastal communities.

Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Pawan Kalyan inaugurated the programme. During his address, he thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his leadership on environmental initiatives. He also acknowledged Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav for supporting States under the MISHTI scheme.

Workshop discussions stressed climate resilience and livelihoods

Anand Mohan, Chief Executive Officer of National CAMPA, delivered the key presentation at the MISHTI workshop. He outlined the objectives and implementation framework of the initiative. He explained that the programme focused on mangrove restoration, biodiversity protection, and shoreline stability.

Moreover, he highlighted the role of mangroves in climate resilience and disaster mitigation. He said mangroves also generated sustainable economic benefits for coastal populations. Therefore, he stressed the need for coordinated action among States and institutions.

Officials noted that the initiative aligned with the goals of the Mangrove Alliance for Climate. India became an active member of the alliance during COP-27 of the UNFCCC. As a result, the effort strengthened India’s global climate commitments.

Overall, the MISHTI workshop served as a platform for sharing best practices and policy inputs. In addition, it reinforced the government’s commitment to protecting mangrove ecosystems and supporting sustainable coastal livelihoods.