Andhra Pradesh has secured second place among all Indian states under the MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes) scheme of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the state's Forest Department announced on Sunday, 27 July 2025. The ranking reflects the state's large-scale coastal restoration push under the Great Green Wall of Andhra Pradesh initiative.

Key Achievements in 2025–26

The Forest Department reported that 2,047.70 hectares of mangrove plantations were developed across the state during 2025–26, backed by an investment of ₹18.04 crore in coastal ecosystem restoration. The department has also deployed the innovative Fish Bone Technique, which improves tidal water circulation, boosts mangrove survival rates, and enhances long-term ecological resilience along the coast.

Over the past two years, the state reports that nearly 7,000 acres of mangroves have been restored and developed, according to the Forest Department's statement.

What the MISHTI Scheme Entails

The MISHTI scheme, operated under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, is a centrally coordinated programme targeting mangrove restoration along India's coastline. It links shoreline habitat conservation with income support for coastal communities — a dual mandate that makes the ranking significant not just ecologically but economically.

Andhra Pradesh's 1,053 km coastline makes it one of India's most exposed states to cyclones, storm surges, and sea erosion. Mangroves serve as a natural buffer against these threats while also functioning as blue carbon sinks — ecosystems that sequester carbon from the atmosphere and ocean.

What the Government Said

Deputy Chief Minister and State Forest Minister Pawan Kalyan called the second-place ranking 'a proud milestone in the journey towards ecological restoration and climate resilience.' In a statement, he credited the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force (PCCF & HoFF), senior officers, field personnel, and frontline forest staff for the achievement.

'The successful restoration of more than 2,047 hectares of mangroves, adoption of innovative conservation practices, and unwavering focus on protecting our coastal ecosystems reflect the Department's vision and hard work,' Kalyan said.

On the occasion of the International Day for the Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystems, Kalyan described mangroves as 'the guardians of our coast, the lungs of our shoreline, and one of nature's greatest gifts to humanity,' adding that protecting them is 'about safeguarding lives, strengthening ecological security, securing livelihoods, and preserving the natural wealth that future generations deserve.'

Targets for 2026–27

Building on current momentum, the Forest Department has set a target to restore 1,618 hectares of mangrove ecosystems across Andhra Pradesh in 2026–27. Kalyan separately indicated a goal of restoring an additional 4,000 acres during the same period under the Great Green Wall initiative, reaffirming the state's resolve to protect coastal communities from climate-related risks.

Broader Impact on Coastal Communities

Beyond ecological metrics, the restoration programme is framed as a livelihood intervention. Coastal communities dependent on fisheries and shoreline agriculture stand to benefit from reduced erosion, improved marine biodiversity, and the income-support components embedded in the MISHTI framework. This comes amid growing scientific consensus that mangrove loss accelerates coastal vulnerability — a risk that is acutely felt along Andhra Pradesh's cyclone-prone eastern seaboard.

With science-based restoration methods and a structured multi-year target in place, Andhra Pradesh's trajectory under MISHTI will be closely watched as a model for other coastal states.