MISHTI Scheme Supports Mangrove Restoration and Ecotourism in Kerala Through Ongoing Allocations
SDG 13: Climate Action | SDG 14: Life Below Water
Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change | Government of Kerala
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) clarified that Kerala has received funding under the Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes (MISHTI), including for ecotourism-linked activities. MISHTI was announced in the Union Budget 2023–24 to promote mangrove restoration and enhance the resilience of coastal ecosystems, with implementation based on proposals submitted by coastal States and Union Territories.
MISHTI supports both core activities—such as mangrove plantation and restoration—and support activities, including livelihood diversification, awareness generation, capacity building, research and development, monitoring, and the promotion of ecotourism through Self-Help Groups (SHGs). States are required to submit detailed MISHTI plans aligned with the Ministry’s Operational Guidelines, including ecotourism components wherever proposed.
Funding under MISHTI is released as gap funding through National CAMPA, converging with existing mechanisms such as State/National CAMPA, MGNREGS and State Plans. For further fund releases, States must submit requisite documentation, including utilisation certificates, physical and financial progress reports, KML files and geo-tagged photographs.
With respect to Kerala, MoEFCC confirmed that ₹0.66 crore in 2024–25 and ₹1.014 crore in 2025–26 have been released under MISHTI. Of this, ₹1.31 crore has been allocated specifically toward ecotourism components over the period 2023–24 to 2027–28, based on proposals submitted by the State.
Policy Relevance:
The response highlights MISHTI as a proposal-driven, convergence-based climate and livelihood programme, linking mangrove restoration with income-generating activities such as community-led ecotourism. For coastal states, the emphasis on documentation, monitoring and convergence with CAMPA and MGNREGS underscores the need for strong project design and implementation capacity. The Kerala allocation illustrates how ecological restoration, climate resilience and local livelihoods are being integrated within India’s coastal adaptation strategy.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders:
How can coastal States strengthen community participation and project execution under MISHTI to scale ecotourism benefits while ensuring long-term mangrove conservation?
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Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 119, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change