The Union environment, forest and climate change ministry (MoEFCC) is identifying different biosphere zones in various parts of the country, informed the Union minister Bhupender Yadav today.

The minister was speaking during a session-Vision East: Green Initiatives led growth and employment organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce today.

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“The ministry is identifying the biosphere areas at places like Satkosia in Odisha, Gulf of Mannar and Arunachal Pradesh,” informed the minister.

“The identification is being done to enhance the biosphere value in three ways with public participation, department of conservation and cooperation of the state governments,” he added.

Notably, in the Union Budget 2023-24, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that mangrove plantations will be taken up along the country’s coastline apart from salt pans, wherever feasible under the mangrove initiative for shoreline habitats and tangible incomes (MISHTI) project.

“Sundarbans is a unique biodiversity zone of not only India but the world and is spread over two countries. Funding for Sundarbans has been done by governments including the central government. The state government also should pay attention to proper utilization of the same. In the Union Budget an initiative has been announced for mangrove plantation along a 7,500-km long coastline including the Sundarbans,” pointed out Mr Yadav.