Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav has launched the implementation guidelines for the National Coastal Mission 2.0, a scheme to protect India’s coasts and grow the blue economy.

NCM 2.0 is a Central Sector Scheme that replaces the first version, which ran from 2021-22 to 2025-26 with an outlay of Rs 87 crore. The new mission carries a total outlay of Rs 767 crore and will run till 2030-31.

The mission will cover nine coastal states: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal. Four Union Territories are also included: Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Puducherry and Lakshadweep.

Its goals include protecting mangroves, coral reefs and marine ecosystems, preparing coastal zone management plans, and building climate-resilient infrastructure. It also aims to cut pollution in coastal waters.

The mission will support sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities and promote green shoreline development. The environment ministry is the nodal ministry for implementation.