The ECRICC project, supported by GCF-GoI, has initiated a critical intervention for the restoration and protection of seagrass ecosystems in Odisha. Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar (IITBBS) in collaboration with West Bengal State University and James Cook University, Australia, engaged as a Technical Support Agency (TSA) for this initiative in Odisha. This effort aims to safeguard these vital coastal habitats through cutting-edge scientific methodologies and community engagement.

Seagrass meadows, found in the Chilika lagoon and the Bahuda estuary, play an essential role in climate change mitigation, biodiversity support, carbon sequestration, and shoreline protection. However, due to increasing anthropogenic pressures and climate change, these ecosystems are under significant threat.

This ECRICC initiative focuses on:

This integrated approach not only aims at the scientific restoration of seagrass habitats but also ensures community participation and climate resilience building in coastal Odisha.