India’s eastern coastline is home to significant mangrove forests, which play a crucial role in coastal protection. These ecosystems act as natural barriers, reducing the impact of cyclones, storm surges, and tidal waves by stabilizing shorelines and preventing erosion. The ECRICC project is pioneering efforts to restore and protect 2475 hectares of mangroves forests, driving key initiatives to preserve their ecological integrity and bolster coastal resilience.

The ECRICC project has undertaken a comprehensive mangrove restoration initiative in Odisha, aimed at mitigating climate change impacts and strengthening coastal resilience. The initiative is executed through Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) -cum- Nodal Officers, who are responsible for overseeing the project’s implementation in designated landscapes. The approach is integrated and multi-pronged, incorporating various ecological and hydrological techniques to ensure the long-term sustainability of the mangrove ecosystem. These activities play a crucial role in enhancing ecological stability, reducing vulnerability to extreme weather events such as cyclones and storm surges, and promoting biodiversity conservation.

The initiative includes mangrove plantation, fishbone channel creation, creek deepening, and the establishment of mangrove nurseries, each playing a critical role in restoring and fortifying the coastal environment. Mangrove plantations help in stabilizing coastal areas, preventing soil erosion, and sequestering carbon, thereby mitigating the effects of global warming. Fishbone channel creation, a method of restoring natural water flow through the mangrove forests, ensures proper tidal exchange, allowing nutrient replenishment and improving the habitat for aquatic and terrestrial species. Creek deepening is another significant intervention that enhances the hydrological functioning of tidal water, facilitating better drainage, increased oxygenation, and higher biodiversity richness. Additionally, the establishment of mangrove meta-nurseries ensures a sustainable and continuous supply of saplings for restoration efforts, enhancing the success rate of plantations. These nurseries cultivate climate-resilient mangrove species, ensuring that the regenerated forests are better adapted to withstand rising sea levels, salinity intrusion, and extreme weather conditions.