International Day for the Conservation of Mangrove : Renewing a conservation pledge

International Day for the Conservation of Mangrove :

Renewing a conservation pledge

Mangroves – a delicate vegetation found in the tropical coastline that forms a critical part in the fragile ecosystem protect and sustain life.  The International Day for the conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, is observed every year on 26th July. The aim is to raise the awareness regarding the importance, uniqueness as well as vulnerability of the mangrove ecosystem and promote solutions for their sustainable management, conservation and use.

Nature Environment and Wildlife Society ( NEWS), engaged in long term protection and conservation of mangroves in Sundarban  selected five sites, from five strategically located villages in Indian Sundarban to observe the occasion this year. Under the banner of five Internationally reputed organizations, Sundarban witnessed a cultural bonanza where participants from different strata of the society (students , local villagers, teachers, Panchayat members and Badabon Forest Group stewards ) interacted and enriched themselves under the expert guidance of NEWS, through the week from 25th July to 31st July 2019. Inspiring, educative sessions on mangrove  conservation along with the rationale of planting different species of mangroves, rally for mangrove awareness , interactive sessions and friendly football matches among teenagers were all  part of the programme schedule. Future action plans for sustainability of Sundarban Mangrove Ecosystem were discussed and formulated.

On 25th July 2019, village Kumirmari , Block Gosaba, was buzzing with a group of 160  students and 20 local villagers, who actively participated in the programme conducted by NEWS under the banner of Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS). The friendly football match organised on popular demand was a great hit.

On 26th July 2019, the village Amtoli, Block Gosaba, witnessed a day long plantation programme of mangrove species under the banner of United India Insurance Company Limited (UIIC), where 35 local villagers, esp women participated.

On 27th July 2019, a large crowd comprising 150 local villagers and 40 students gathered  in village Nikarighata, Block Canning-1 to celebrate Mangrove Day and participated in the rally for mangrove conservation, defying foul weather. This was conducted by NEWS under the banner of Livelihoods Funds.

On 29th July 2019, in village Gobardhanpur Block Patharpratima, the Badabon Forest Group stewards interacted with 30 local villagers and 100 students in the programme conducted by NEWS  funded by Aldi-Sud. Rally, speeches and plantation programmes were the major highlights.

On 31stJuly 2019, in the villages Sumatinagar & Mritunjaynagar, Block Sagar, Badabon Forest Group stewards, 50 local villagers and 40 students participated in the programme conducted by NEWS. This project is funded by  Global Nature Fund. Speeches, along with rally for mangrove conservation as well as plantation of mangrove species formed part of the main agenda of the day.