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The Hindu
01-08-2025
- General
- The Hindu
The fact is mangroves drive business
Mangroves have, historically, been on the margins of planning and policy priorities in spite of their vital role in anchoring coastal economies and protecting millions from climate extremes. Their loss is not just an environmental concern. Their loss erodes natural infrastructure that acts as a buffer for urban coastlines, underpins fisheries, and quietly contributes billions in ecosystem services and avoided damages. As the world grapples with extreme weather events and rising sea levels, blue carbon ecosystems such as mangroves are critical to climate and economic resilience. Yet, their value rarely features in balance sheets or policy frameworks. How can businesses, governments, and communities reimagine these ecosystems as active drivers of sustainable growth and security? Three pillars of our work through the Mangrove Coalition offer ideas for the path forward. Mapping with technology First, embracing technology can help us better understand the value of 'Natural Capital'. Satellite and drone data with advanced geospatial Artificial Intelligence algorithms have improved accurate mangrove mapping and blue carbon quantification. This is crucial for informing policies and restoration efforts. The economic and ecosystem services valuation of mangroves ranges from ₹3,535 million in Pichavaram (Tamil Nadu) to ₹664 billion in the Sundarbans (West Bengal). Carbon sequestration alone is valued at ₹462 million per year in the Sundarbans, reflecting the ecological and economic importance of this habitat. Communities that possess deep knowledge of mangrove ecosystems and rely on them for their livelihoods, must be prioritised and equitably benefited — socially and economically. Involving communities Second, community-led conservation efforts are key to strengthening symbiotic and mutually respectful relationships of people and nature. Fisherfolk especially value the role of mangroves as nurseries for juvenile fish. Healthy mangroves often translate into robust fish stocks, ensuring sustainable catch. The livelihoods of these coastal communities are intrinsically linked to the quality of mangrove and estuarine systems. In dense urban settings such as Mumbai and Chennai, mangroves are often distressed, polluted and degraded. Since they are unable to support flourishing biodiversity, coastal livelihoods and socio-cultural interdependencies are compromised. However, when communities directly experience the benefits (more fish, cleaner air, protected homes) and are empowered to make decisions about their local environment, they become effective and enduring stewards. Mangroves and other coastal ecosystems can also create opportunities for alternative livelihoods such as aquaculture, beekeeping and eco-tourism. Integrated ownership models such as Eco-Development Committees (EDCs) or Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) can be translated for urban mangroves. Third, citizen science can engage stakeholders to generate wonder and investment in this undervalued ecosystem and mobilise collective action for conservation. When community members from varied backgrounds are skilled to understand and monitor ecosystems, this can either supplement existing assessment efforts or substitute for formal monitoring. Mangrove health is intertwined with the vitality of associated ecosystems and wetlands, and the health of rivers from source to the sea, as they contribute freshwater, sediments and biota. Regular monitoring can provide a good indication of how the system is faring. Platforms can play a pivotal role Key components of a mangrove health tool should include indicators around changes in mangrove area; quantity, quality and timing of freshwater flows; avian, floral, molluscan and fish diversity; and, crucially, community dependence and a perception of the ecosystem services. Such assessments can provide key insights to support management actions. Engagement platforms such as 'Mangrove Mitras' or Friends of Mangroves can open avenues for urban citizens and local communities to engage constructively in the conservation of mangroves. This could help to rebuild a people-wetland-river-mangrove connection through an immersive experience on the magical value of mangroves. Sustainable stewardship is not a top-down mandate but a symbiotic relationship where mangrove health and people's well-being are mutually reinforcing. Policymakers and businesses must recognise mangroves as vital climate and economic infrastructure rather than mere biodiversity zones. Protecting and restoring these ecosystems demands a coalition where science, business and community voices work in harmony — each bringing unique strengths to secure their future. Madhav Pai is the CEO of WRI India. Soumya Swaminathan is the Chair of the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation. Sejal Worah is the Programme Director of WWF India
India Gazette
12-07-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Tripura gears up for JICA 3.0: Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma outlines vision for sustainable growth
Agartala (Tripura) [India], July 12 (ANI): In a major development for Tripura's environmental and community-based projects, Forest Minister Animesh Debbarma said that the state is preparing to launch the third phase of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) project, commonly referred to as JICA 3.0. Speaking exclusively to ANI, Debbarma said the state government is nearing the conclusion of JICA 2.0 and is eager to begin the groundwork for the next phase. 'We are almost at the fag end of JICA 2.0. The preliminary work for JICA 3.0 will soon be underway,' he stated. The Minister recently held discussions with senior JICA officials at his residence, where he shared several proposals to amplify the impact of the project. 'I have emphasised that more direct benefits must reach the people. We also need strong awareness campaigns so that people know about the schemes available to them,' Debbarma said. He particularly stressed the need for better marketing of forest-based products from Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs), proposing the involvement of central government agencies to boost outreach and sales. Among the key suggestions was the creation of eco-friendly model villages in forested regions. 'Promoting the use of solar energy in these villages will help reduce pressure on forest resources, especially firewood. These villages can serve as examples for others to follow,' he added. In a related development, the JICA India Mission concluded a three-day visit to Tripura between July 8 and 11, to review the progress of the ongoing SCATFORM (Sustainable Catchment Forest Management) Project. A press release from the Tripura JICA office stated that the visiting delegation reviewed major interventions in the Gomati District and the Gomati Wildlife Sanctuary. The inspection covered ongoing plantation drives, the construction of check dams with 350 already completed and 11 model dams currently underway, agroforestry initiatives, and various livelihood programs aimed at supporting forest-dependent communities. A highlight of the visit was the team's stop at an eco-tourism site developed by Tripura Nature Trails and Resorts Limited, a flagship SCATFORM initiative focused on biodiversity conservation, sustainable tourism, and local employment. The JICA delegation is also engaged with Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to assess grassroots involvement and community empowerment. The visit ended with a debriefing session led by R.K. Samal, Principal Secretary and PCCF & HoFF, Government of Tripura. The delegation expressed satisfaction with the state's ecological restoration efforts and praised the active participation of local communities. So far, the SCATFORM Project in Tripura has received a loan of Rs 275.53 crore from JICA, and has already marked a financial progress of Rs 338.20 crore, reflecting the state's strong commitment and effective implementation. With JICA 3.0 on the horizon, Tripura is poised to continue its momentum in sustainable forest management, eco-development, and inclusive growth. (ANI)
