Mukti Green Defense in Sundarbans

01. Why the project is ?

● In the Sundarbans, the mangrove forests have been destroyed and degraded by unsustainable harvesting, as well as by numerous coastal development activities.
● The present river embankments have failed to prevent cyclones or tidal surges, resulting in the flooding of agricultural lands and human habitats with saline water.
● It will take two to three years to make these inundated agricultural lands cultivable again.
● Salinity intrusion in groundwater is also common in the southern part of the Sundarbans region.
● The river often changes its course due to various reasons, causing people to leave their homes and farming lands.
● Additionally, the emergence of new islands between different waterways has disrupted the transportation system.
● Millions of people rely on the resources of Sundarbans for their livelihoods, including fishing, agriculture, and tourism.
● Protecting the embankments safeguards the region’s cultural heritage and promotes eco-tourism, attracting visitors worldwide and benefiting local communities.

02. What the project is ?

● Involves plantation of four types of mangrove trees and cultivation of dragon fruit, coconut trees, and fruit-bearing trees on the embankment.
● Plantation of napier grass for cattle fodder enhances local resources and sustainability.
● To mitigates distress migration from rural to urban areas by protecting livelihoods and the environment.
● To empower the community through the engagement of Self-Help Group (SHG) members in riverbank protection efforts.
● To provide livelihood opportunities for local SHG women, ensuring economic stability.
● To raise environmental awareness among the local population, fostering a sense of responsibility towards ecological preservation.
● It aligns with Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 5, 13, and 8 for holistic and sustainable development.
● To involve women from MCDF in vegetation planting and maintenance.
● To create sustainable and resilient solution for safety, livelihoods, and well-being of Sundarbans communities.

03. How the project is ?

● A community of SHG women is deeply involved in collecting saplings, managing nurseries, and planting different varities of Mangrove (Genwa, Nipa etc), Vetiver grass, Dragon fruits, Fruit plants and Napier grass in the region.
● The SHG women will take day-to-day responsibility for maintaining the planted saplings/trees, as well as for nursery work and replanting.
● MUKTI provides food support to the SHG women engaged in plant maintenance, at a cost of ₹ 2250. This helps them take better care of the planted seedlings/plants.
● A dedicated team consisting of Project Managers, Program Coordinators, and Field Supervisors monitors the project on the ground.
● Market Linkage and value added chain for processing of dragon fruits in the form of fruit juice, jams, ice creams, and coconut as a snack and milk to have a long term sustainability and extra income to support the livelihood of the beneficiaries

04. Where the project is ?

Kankandighi & Nagendrapur Gram Panchayat of Mathurapur-II block, South 24 Pgs district, West Bengal, India

Activity Stream