Ahead of World Mangroves Day on 26 July, Dr Anjali Acharya, Managing Director of Nature Conservancy India Solutions, underscores the broader relevance of mangrove restoration.
Quoting marine biologist Sylvia Earle, she reminds listeners that “the loss of mangroves is not just the loss of trees, but the unravelling of entire ecosystems.”
Mangroves: Forests of the Sea
She highlights nature-based climate solutions as a key priority for Nature Conservancy in India, particularly in the context of mangrove restoration in the Sundarbans and the preservation of blue carbon systems like mangroves and salt marshes, which she describes as “powerful carbon sinks”.
In India, Nature Conservancy’s efforts around mangrove restoration are rooted in partnerships with local communities and government bodies. Dr Acharya explains that their approach includes on-ground restoration projects, enhancing coastal resilience, and building awareness about biodiversity.
She mentions a 160-hectare restoration project in the Sundarbans where the organisation works closely with women’s self-help groups. “We not only bring about restoration, but also generate green jobs and build coastal resilience,” she says
Dr Acharya expresses hope for deeper collaboration with national and local governments to scale up restoration and amplify global best practices. The vision, she says, is for thriving mangrove ecosystems that support livelihoods and deliver lasting ecological benefits.
Working through alliances
Dr Acharya notes that the Nature Conservancy is a part of the Global Mangrove Alliance, alongside WWF, Wetlands International, and IUCN. The Alliance aims to increase global mangrove cover by 20% by 2030.
She shares that Nature Conservancy has recently joined the newly formed India chapter of the Alliance, and is now collaborating with other partners to frame a national strategy for mangrove restoration.
Empowering youth and communities
She emphasises the importance of involving local communities, especially youth, in conservation. Dr Acharya says engagement can be strengthened through education, training, and employment. “We need to get them engaged… through education, capacity building, and employment opportunities,” she notes, stressing the need to build a future pipeline of green jobs.
