Integrated Approach towards
Eco-Restoration of Sundarban with Mangrove


Growing back of Five Crores of Mangroves to restore mangrove belt of Sundarban Biosphere Reserve

Abstract
Propagules to be grown:-5 Crores
Area: Sundaban Biosphere Reserve
Plantable are: 2500 ha

Introduction

On May 20, first tropical super cyclone storm of the 2020, cyclone season, Amphan devastated buildings, roads, livelihoods and lives in its path across the eastern part of the subcontinent.

Amphan struck Haldia, Bakkhali, in West Bengal, with 155 km/hr winds. About 28% of the Sunderbans has been damaged by Cyclone Amphan, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on 5th June, 2020, at the launch of a drive for planting mangroves and trees to mark World Environment Day.

Through this project an Intensified integrated approach will be taken up to restore the Mangrove and associated species in Sundarbans by growing 5 Crores of Mangrove progagules together with and local communities. The Community-based Ecological Mangrove Restoration (CBEMR) Method supports a holistic, science-based approach that encourages practitioners mitigate to mangrove stressors and facilitate natural mangrove regeneration. The progagules will be monitored and as and when necessary, nurtured throughout next decade for growing the green cover of mangroves back in Sundarban Biosphere Reserve. This will the generate Mandays for forest fringe population in 2020 and at the same time replenish the damaged Mangrove zone of the State of West Bengal.

Working with local communities, NGOs, and governments to create a sustainable network in results in less pressure on existing mangrove forests by promoting alternative income and livelihoods and increases regional mangrove knowledge for the long-term health of mangrove forests.



Integrated Approach towards Eco-Restoration of Sundarban Biosphere Reserve

Mudflats and plantable zones in creeks will be intensively planted with viviparous Quality Planting Materials of Mangrove species. The available blanks and recent cyclone damaged Forest land and suitable land (mudflats) will be taken up for this massive Eco-restoration works.

There are four main goals:

  1. Protection of coastal areas. Planting mangroves can reduce shoreline erosion and can protect coastal communities against coastal and flooding, high winds and waves, tsunamis.
  2. Restoration of a mangrove ecosystem. The aim is to support livelihood without destroying the mangrove forest. This could be achieved by sustainable harvesting of mangrove products such as firewood, timber, and other marine products like crabs, fish and shells.
  3. Conservation of existing mangrove forests. This provides breeding grounds for fisheries and preserving biodiversity. This can be achieved through the creation of protected sites, national parks, nature reserves, and wildlife sanctuaries.
  4. Carbon absorption (sink). Mangroves absorb more carbon than the other land-based forests.



BASIC WORK PLAN

In available Forest land and Chaar land/Vested revenue land in Sundarban Biosphere Reserve

Intensive plantation will be done in the month of August-October with 20,000 mangrove propagules in available revenue land, with active participation from District administration, NGOs and other stake holders will be planted per ha of available land. In total over 2500 ha of such available land, 5 crores mangrove propagules will be planted. About 500 ha of these areas will be planted in Forest land and 2000 ha of vested revenue land in 10 Blocks will be planted up. The work will be taken up in Convergence mode with MNREGS scheme.




Planting Pattern

Seeds sowing ipropagules planting - 20,000 no/ha. Spacing -1.0 m x 0.5 m in staggered manner. Seedlings at the end of planting season -5000 seedlings.


Species

1. Khalsi(Aegiceras corniculatum)
2. Peyara Bain ( Avicennia marina)
3. Kankra (Bruguiera gymnorrhiza)
4. Moth Goran (Ceriops tagal)
5. Jhamti Goran (Ceriops decandra)
6. Bokul Kankra (Bruguiera parviflora)
7. Kalo Bain ( Avicennia alba)

Diagram

Progress of work

As on14.09.2020
In 24 parganas (South) Division Area planted= 1327 hac. = 2.654 crores of seedlings/propagules.



Update

Present Status of Greening Sundarban Manggrove Plantation as on 20.09.2020