Newsroom :: News :: Promoting sustainable feed and biofuel production in community conserved mangroves areas (Orissa, India)
The lack of awareness of issues that ungulates pose to grasslands, such as overgrazing, were the primary reason behind the tragedy of commons playing out in community conserved mangrove areas in the Rajnagar block of Kendrapara district in Orissa, where MFF India partner APOWA has recently completed implementation of an SGP. Project interventions, accomplished with full community participation, have demonstrated the possibilities of an equitable marriage between sustainable production of animal feed and biofuel and conservation of the ecosystem.
The growth of mangroves and associated grass species was promoted in wasteland areas, once productive pasturelands, shared by four villages Basantpur, Badkot, Khirkot and Naranpur. Community stewardship was encouraged and the following impacts of community conservation were noted:
As a result of this intervention, it was realized that building community awareness of mangrove ecosystems and the benefits they add to their livelihoods is a critical step towards the success of mangrove restoration projects. Furthermore, instilling institutional infrastructure, such as village mangrove councils, headed by the communities themselves, is important towards ensuring the long-term sustainability of the intervention.