Introduction

Enhancing Climate Resilience of India’s Coastal Communities" (ECRICC) project, initiated in 2019, aims to safeguard vulnerable coastal populations by enhancing ecosystem resilience and diversifying livelihoods. Implemented across 3 coastal states (Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Odisha) of India, the project employs an ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) approach and is supported by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), state government, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The project integrates vulnerability assessments, ecosystem restoration, and community-driven livelihood initiatives while strengthening governance mechanisms.

Project Outputs

ECRICC in Odisha

In Odisha, Forest, Environment & Climate Change Department, Government of Odisha under the overall supervision of Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India is implementing this project in 7 landscapes of 4 coastal districts (Balasore, Puri, Kendrapada & Ganjam). Under this project, promotion of climate adaptive livelihoods in the fisheries and agriculture sector is an important component for enhancing climate resilience capacity of the coastal communities through income enhancement and diversification of livelihoods.

Mud Crab Culture: An Effort from Mud to Money…

Aquaculture has become essential in fulfilling the growing global demand for fish. With expanding population, increase in income and change in consumer preferences towards healthier and more nutritious food, there is significant demand on the industry to boost the production of quality fish. Aquaculture is the culture of fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and aquatic vegetation across diverse aquatic environments, representing one of the most rapidly expanding sectors in global food production. Brackish water aquaculture contributes to the economic development of our country by generating essential foreign exchange, creating a range of direct and indirect employment opportunities, providing livelihoods, and enhancing nutritional security. The brackish water fin fishes & shell fishes have high consumer preference and market demand. Among the brackish water shell fishes, mangrove crab(Scylla serrata) also known as mud crab is one of the important cultured hardy species.

Mud Crab is highly popular due to its high demand in the domestic as well as in external market. It has the potential of export also. The commercial scale mud crab farming is developing fast along the coastal states like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Odisha, West Bengal and Karnataka. Being a coastal district, Puri comprises ample scope in Mud crab culture, especially due to the culture friendly climate and ecosystem conditions as well as availability of crablets in natural sources. Mud crab culture is effectively initiated in the year 2024 under both Devi mouth and Chilika landscapes which are part of the ECRICC Project intervention. Though the number of farmers under mud crab culture is still not very high, but the scope and interest among farmers is very high. With availability of local knowledge and market, the condition is favourable for scale up. Non-availability of certified inputs like crablets is a challenge as there is no Government or Private hatchery in Odisha and supply chain for crablets from trusted agencies is weak.