Restoring Ecosystem in Coastal Region at Buraburir Tot, Sundarban through Mangrove afforestation – Axis Bank

Funded By: Axis Bank Limited

Project Duration: December 2021 to November 2024

Mangrove restoration in the Sundarbans has been the flagship program for NEWS over the past 30 years. Sundarban have always been the land of vulnerable communities who battle regular cyclones, floods, natural calamities, embankment erosions, animal conflicts and lack of income opportunity since the beginning of human settlement. Mangroves are time and again found to act as a bio-shield as they absorb the primary thrust of the wind and wave energy before it strikes the landmass. They also serve as excellent carbon sequestrating reservoirs, protecting the nature from harmful C02 and also maintain water quality by absorbing excess nutrients. They act as a perfect nursery for fish spawning and the leaf litter contributes to the nutritional dynamics of the water ecosystem. The Axis Bank funded project aims to form women groups within the community for mangrove protection and nursery formation linked with income generation for the group members. Project Objective: 1. To undertake the plantation of 50,000 mangroves in the desired location 2. To undertake mortality replacements to ensure the survival of the plants Project Outcome: • Increased Coastal resilience by protecting coastal embankments, by creating a bio-shield alongside the embankment for protecting the coastal community from storm and flood. • Increased Carbon sequestration • Increased biodiversity and ecosystem services • Securing nurturing ground for marine fish and crab. • Increased number of crab, fish and mullet will increase livelihood security for local artisanal fishers. • Increased sustainable agriculture – Mangrove flowers attract pollinating insect especially honeybees which will also increase the pollination of the local agricultural produce.

Project Location: Buraburir Tat, Gram Panchayat -G-Plot, Block – Pathar Pratima, District – South 24 Parganas