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Progress Report of MANGRO Project
(Regeneration, Protection and Management of Mangrove Forests
through Community Participation in Kendrapara District, Orissa)
Implementing Organization: Chale Chalo, S-3/60, Niladri Vihar, Bhubaneswar,
Odisha, India
Funding Agency: Integrated Village Development Trust (IVD – Trust) - UK
Period of Reporting: 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2010
Reported by: Rama Ranjan Mallick and Ranjit Kumar Swain
Designation: Project Coordinator & Director
Date of report: 10.01.2011
Vision of Chale Chalo:
Achievement of total transformation and create an environmentally, socially,
economically, politically and culturally sustainable society without poverty, exploitation,
discrimination, distress and sufferings and work for a society without gender and social
inequality, injustice and oppression among tribals; dalits, women, children, disables and
other marginalized communities.
Chale Chalo’s Missions:
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Environment Protection and Sustainable Development Mission
Poverty Reduction Mission
Rights and Entitlements Mission (Right to Education, Right to Health, Right to Work,
Right to Information, Right to Social Security, Right to Forest, Land & Water etc.)
Gender Equality, Women Empowerment and Social Justice Mission
Human Resource Development, Capacity Building and Empowerment Mission
Good Governance Mission
Goal of Chale Chalo:
Creation of self – governing communities and their organizations and empower them for
poverty reduction through sustainable development practices with focus on environment
protection, achieving basic human rights and entitlements including basic education,
basic health, livelihood security and gender and social equity & justice.
Broad Objective of MANGRO Project:
Reduction of vulnerability to disasters, strengthen livelihood and promote sustainable
development process through community Regeneration, protection and management of
mangrove & improvement in fragile coastal eco-system in Kendrapara District, Orissa.
Specific Objectives of MANGRO Project:
1. To mobilize, motivate, educate and sensitize the children, youths, women and
villagers on importance of mangrove and coastal environment linked with their
lives and livelihood in 60 villages
2. To increase the tree mass in 30 villages by undertaking community tree
nurseries and plantation program of general and mangrove species through
SHGs, School Eco Clubs, Youth Groups & , Forest Protection Committees etc
3. To build up the capacity of students, youths, women and community leaders
for undertaking nurseries, plantation, plant care as well as regeneration,
protection, conservation and management of mangroves and other plants
through involvement of the villagers and other stakeholders
4. To strengthen women SHGs and other community based organizations for
undertaking Development Activities and Income Generation Programs and
improve livelihood of the poor in the project villages
5. To develop networking, coordination and cooperation among different
stakeholders (NGOs/CSOs, Networks, Government, PRIs, Media, Faith
Groups, Fishermen & Farmers Groups, Intellectuals’ Forums etc)
to
constructively address the issues of regeneration, protection, conservation
and management of mangrove forest and undertake lobby and advocacy for
appropriate policy changes for protection of mangrove & coastal eco-system.
Coverage Area and the Stakeholders:
This year the project activities spread to 61 villages including 60 schools mainly in
Rajnagar, Mahakalpada, Pattamundai and Aul Blocks of Kendrapara District in
Orissa. We had undertook mobilization, awareness and education programs on
mangrove conservation, environment protection and climate change issues along
with organizing tree nurseries, plantation, plant care, workshops, meetings and
training programs. These villages have a total population of 56000. However, the
project has been able to directly involve and benefit 7260 people, among whom
2400 are children, 1800 women and 3000 males. Indirectly the project activities
reached to 23920 people and total direct and indirect beneficiaries of these project
villages, schools, WSHGs, Youth Clubs and communities are 31180 people, which is
around 55% of the total population of the covered villages. Actually the indirect
benefits in terms of awareness generation and community sensitization on
conservation of mangroves and protection of environment is reaching to
more people in the project villages as well as outside project villages. We have not
calculated / assessed the messages carried through the children to their respective
villages (some are not coming under project villages). The people of project villages
are also carrying the messages and spread the news about our works and their
impacts in the neighboring and their relatives’ villages. Most of the schools in the
project blocks, even in the district and outside the districts are aware about our
works and sometimes getting leaflets / folders and newsletters. Chale Chalo,
Bhubaneswar office is engaged in the state level campaign with other like-minded
CSOs for combating climate change through mangrove conservation, environment
awareness and education and real actions for protection of environment. We are
also closely working with the PRIs, Government Departments, NGOs, CBOs,
Networks, People’s Organizations, Media, Intellectuals and other concern individuals
and groups on the issues of environment protection and climate change in project
areas and outside project areas in the state by engaging the Bhubaneswar Office for
campaign, network and advocacy. The project also supports with field information to
IVDT UK for effective and strong campaign and mobilizing funds for conservation of
mangroves, protection of environment and resilience of climate change. Planting and
caring trees have taken a shape of mass movement and the strong sense for
mangrove protection has developed in the project areas with continuous support of
IVDT-UK. People are cooperating and collaborating with us in all our environment
related programs and especially the children feel very strongly the need of the noble
works for environment and their future. The women, community leaders, youths,
social activists, faith groups, farmers, fishermen, cows and buffalos herders etc. are
changing their attitudes and extending their cooperation to the project works and
taking initiatives for protection of mangroves and creating green belt in coastal
Orissa as initiated by CHALE CHALO, IVDT and Local Communities four years ago.
Actions under MANGRO Project: Mangrove Regeneration, Protection
and Management through Community Participation in Kendrapara District,
Orissa, India (Period: From 1st January to 31st December 2010)
This year’s actions under MANGRO Project can broadly be divided into 7
Headings such as:
a) Community Mobilization, Awareness Generation and Actions for Mangrove
Conservation and Environment Protection
b) Environment Awareness, Education and Actions Among School Children for
Mangrove Conservation and Better Environment
c) Strengthening Women SHGs and Involvement of Women in Mangrove
Conservation, Protection of Environment and Promotion of Livelihoods
d) Nursery Raising, Plantation and Plants Care of Mangrove and General Species
e) Engaging Community, CSOs / NGOs, Government, PRIs, Media, Intellectuals
and Other Stakeholders to address Mangrove Conservation, Climate Change
and Sustainable Development Issues
f) Advocacy and Networking on Climate Change, Green Economies and
Sustainable Development Issues at state and national level
g) A Step for Establishment of MANGRO / ECO – CENTER
Details of MANGRO Actions – 2010
a) Community Mobilization, Awareness Generation and Actions for
Mangrove Conservation and Environment Protection
This year the mobilization, awareness generation and initiation of some voluntary
actions for conservation of mangroves and protection of environment spread to 61
villages. Last year these works of ours were confined to 30 villages. The processes of
mobilization, motivation, education and sensitization of different categories of people in
the communities on importance of mangrove and coastal environment have been well
integrated in the project implementation process and the messages have reached to the
wider sections of people. The recent developments like extreme climate - longer hottest
summer, shifting of seasons and visible climate change and its negative impacts along
with our series of campaigns have motivated the people to give a serious thought about
regeneration and protection of mangroves, curbing environment degradation, coastal
erosion and disasters that affecting lives and livelihoods. Due to continuous project
activities in the localities and collective initiatives to address the issues, the communities
have taken interest to learn more on the issues related to global warming, climate
change, coastal ecology and role of mangrove forest, need of protection of environment;
sustainable livelihoods and development issues. 9600 children and youths, 9300
women, 12000 male community members in 61 villages have been mobilized, motivated
and sensitized on need of protection of mangrove and coastal eco-system and are
engaging them as concern citizens for protecting the environment and resilience of
climate change. The senses of ownership for regenerating and protecting mangrove
forest and local environment are visible and encouraging for a greener and safer world.
b) Environment Awareness, Education and Actions Among School
Children
This year we have directly worked with 2400 school eco-club children and indirectly
covered 7200 school children in Rajnagr, Mahakalpada, Pattamundai and Aul Blocks of
Kendrapara district. The school students including the eco-club members are actively
engaged in raising tree nursery, planting trees in the school premises and taking good
care of all plants. The environment education related events mainly include: drawing
competitions, song competitions, slogans competitions, school campus cleaning,
regular meetings, climate change snake and ladder game, identifying local animals and
birds, plants and their leaves and seeds, exposure visit to mangrove / general tree
nursery and plantation sites, awareness generation on mangrove conservation,
environment, social issues, health and hygiene, wild life protection etc. Each eco-club
sits twice in a month in the school campus and discuss on surrounding environment,
importance of mangroves and protection of plants and animals etc, plan and act as per
their capacities, understanding and availability of time for the best interest of their
school and surrounding areas’ environment. We have organized series of interesting
events for the children as given below.
Environment Study Tour for School Eco-Club Members to BKNP:
A two days Environmental Study tour to Bhitar Kanika National Park was organized by
CHALE CHALO on dated 27th & 28th February 2010”. 42 eco-club students and 6
teachers of Chandiagari High School, Chandiagari and Samantha Kelu charan High
School, Patrapur of Aul Block joined in this environment study tour to Bhitar Kanika
National Park (BKNP). 2 Teachers and 14 students of Krushna Nagar High School,
Dangamal welcomed the students and teachers of Aul block, joined with them near
BKNP and participated in the tour and other interesting events organized by Chale
Chalo during this time. This was organized on special request of the eco-club students,
headmasters and eco-club teachers of these schools. The Chandiagari and Patrapur
High Schools, which are situated around 60 KMs away from BKNP on road, have been
doing excellent works on protection of environment but had never visited Bhitar Kanika.
The program was to give exposure to the students and teachers on the rich bio-diversity
of Bhitarkanika and sensitize them and also their friend and local communities through
them who are living bit farer places from Bhitarkanika to understand and realize the
importance of mangrove forests and coastal eco-system for their life and livelihoods and
survival of living beings in coastal Orissa. BKNP guide Mr. Panigrahi assisted the
students during the visit; he explained the features of various plants including herbs,
shrubs, creepers and grasses. He had a presentation on ecological importance of
mangrove forest, crocodiles and olive riddle turtles and other wild animals. He explained
that BKNP is the second largest Mangrove Forest in India, after the Sundarbana of
West Bengal. Sixty-three types of plants are available here. It is famous for Baula
Crocodile, spotted deer, Olive riddle turtles, crabs; prawns, fishes, snakes, other
reptiles, mammals and birds. It is situated at distance of 160 Km. from state capital of
Orissa in Kendrapara district, the sanctuary spread over 672 sq. km having forest
coverage of 380 sq. km, out of which the mangrove forest is 215.50 sq. km. This
environmental and ecological wonder is a favorite center of both scholars and nature
lovers. The students Investigated, observed, identified, studied and recorded the
plants and animals they came across and heard about and maintained their natures’
dairy. Then they visited the Khola River and Baga Gahan by boat while seeing the salt
water crocodile, deer, birds and wild bores. The children took rest and food in nearby
Krushna Nagar High School, Dangamal. They had the opportunity to interact with the
eco-club children of Krushna Nagar High School and had participated in a workshop on
global warming, climate change and need of conservation of mangroves and protection
of environment. Mr. Badal Kumar Parida, Head Master, Vivekananda High School,
Baghamari, Talchua, Mr. Suresh Chandra, Head Master Krushna Nagar High School,
Dangamala, Mr. Saroj Kumar Behra, Eco-teacher, Krushna Nagar High School, Mr.
Hemant Kumar Rout, Eco-Teacher, Barahapur, Environmentalist and Writer, Mr. Debraj
Naik, Eco-Teacher of Patrapur High School, Mr. Ranjit Kumar Swain, Director, Chele
Chalo, Mr. Durga Madhab Mishra Range Officer, Dangamal, Mr. Ranjan Das, EcoTeacher of Chandiagari High School and Mr. Rama Ranjan Mallick, Coordinator, Chale
Chalo, other Guide Teachers of Patrapur and Chandiagadi High Schools and staffs of
BKNP facilitated the environment study tour in BKNP and the workshop on Global
Warming, Climate Change and Importance of Conservation of Mangroves and
Environment Protection held in Krushna Nagar High School Campus. The children
enjoyed environmental songs, slogans, drama and actively participated in debate and
discussions. The students also visited the museum in BKNP, observed the materials
that have been collected and preserved in the museum and learned about the lives in
water and BKNP. A silent rally was organized in the locality with placards and banners
carrying the messages of conservation of mangrove forests and wild life, planting and
saving trees, saving water and soil and protection of environment during the tour. The
participants had also interacted with the local people and learned their issues and
concerns while living in and around BKNP. The tour was a very exciting and a new
experience of the participating students on collective and direct learning process by
observation of nature and interactions with different people.
Climate change Workshops:
As follow up of last year’s initiative, 11 workshops on Climate Change have been
organized in Schools and follow up meetings and actions done in Rajnagar,
Mahakalpada, Pattamundai and Aul Blocks during the period under report. A total
number of 542 students both boys and girls participated in the workshops and they led
follow up meetings, debate, discussions and direct actions in schools and villages
involving other students of their respective schools. The schools covered were Samanta Kelu Charan High School, Patrapur; Chandiagari High School, Chandiagari;
Uacha Sikhyashrama, Arua; Jaganntha Sikhyaniketan, Kandira; Sapaneswar High
School, Barahapur; Badapalli High School, Badapalli; Rajnagar High School, Rajnagar;
Lanjuda ME School, Bdapalli; Iswarpur High School, Dighi and Jarimula High School,
Jarimula. The objective of the workshops to make the students aware about the causes
and processes of global warming and climate change and their harsh impacts on the
earth and especially on all the living organism and the importance of saving mangroves,
planting more trees and taking good care of our environment. During the workshops, we
had used the materials especially the pictures and messages developed by Ms. Helena
Nightingale and Ms. Kim Devinish of IVDT – UK and organized different exercises and
games. We also dealt with the local situations like the lives and livelihoods of the people
of this area have been very much affected due to global warming and climate change.
The coastal erosion, sea surge and increase of salinity in soil, cyclone, storms, untimely
rains, droughts, shifting of seasons and high floods etc. have increased its intensity and
frequency, that we are experiencing in everyday life. Children participated and enjoyed
the Snake and Ladder Game on Climate Change and enriched their knowledge base on
climate change during the workshops. They participated in debate, drawing and quiz
competitions about climate change. There was open discussion on Role of mangrove
conservation in reducing the impacts of climate change and improving the local
environment. Discussions were made on what we can do to reduce the impact of
climate change and the children took vow to plant trees and save trees and be judicious
in using the resources. Mr. Rama Ranjan Mallick and Mr. Ranjit Kumar Swain of Chale
Chalo, the eco-club teachers and headmasters assisted in facilitation of the workshops.
All the workshops were participatory in nature. The students have organized
discussions on the issues in their class and actively participated in improving the school
campus and surrounding areas through planting trees and cleanliness driving in more
regular manner as outcome of the workshops.
Awareness Campaign meetings on climate change and global Warming:
Chale Chalo has been organising awareness campaigns through involving the students
and teachers on climate change in different schools in project areas from time to time.
The staff of MANGRO project and local environment loving people interacted with the
children and teachers on environment and climate change issue. The newsletters and
leaflets have been distributed and the write ups on climate changed have been shared
in the campaign. The children had developed / collected and shared songs, slogans,
quotations, short speeches, writings, newspaper clippings, leaves, seeds, information,
news, drawings, placards and plays on the topics during the campaign. The MANGRO
Staffs had shared the materials developed by IVDT – UK on climate change among
large number of students during awareness campaign meetings.
Observation of Important Environment Days:
The MANGRO Project staffs had given special attention for observing important
environment days in most befitting manner with a view to make the students and
general public more sensitive towards environment protection. For observing the days
with children, the MANGRO staffs had discussed about the days with students and
teachers well in advance and helped the children to prepare themselves with materials
like placards, posters, leaflets, slogans, songs, drawings and masks etc to make the
days more enjoyable and learning for them. We have facilitated in observing Earth Day,
World Environment Day and Wild Life Protection Day etc in schools and also extended
cooperation and participated in some of the programs of Forest Department in the
locality.
Nursery Raising and Plantation Programs in Schools and campus development:
This year six schools have been included in Nursery Raising activities. However, we
had carried nursery raising, plantation and plant care training in 12 schools. These
schools have taken plantation programs in their school campus and adjoining areas.
The children had also taken seedlings and planted in their own land and also distributed
to interested villagers for plantation of trees. So far more than 30 schools have
successfully and sustainably undertaken plantation and campus development programs
after our direct intervention. They are keeping the campus green and clean through
planting trees, taking cleanness drive and managing the waste through compost pits. 4
schools have already received Prakruti Mitra Awards (Friends of Nature Awards) and 2
have become strong contenders of the same mainly due to our activation of eco-clubs
and effective environmental actions in the schools.
c. Strengthening Women SHGs and Involvement of Women in
Mangrove Conservation, Protection of Environment and Promotion of
Livelihoods
The organization is now working with 120 Women SHGs of Rajnagar, Mahakalpada and
Pattamundai Block. We have been facilitating regular Group meeting, mobilizing,
Motivating and sensitizing them on protection of mangrove and coastal environment and
engaging women living in and around mangroves areas as regenerators and managers
of mangrove eco-system. They have been involved in nursery raising, backyard
plantation and plant care. They are now sustainably and successfully managing their
savings and credit activities. They are creating conducive environment for prevention of
violence against women with cooperation of the male members of their families. The
organization is making all efforts to develop link with government plans, programs and
schemes for income generation, social security, welfare and development. Now some
groups are qualified for getting supports under TRIPTI (Targeted Initiatives for Poverty
Termination and Infrastructure) – a world bank supported program of Government of
Orissa. They are made aware about the provisions under NRHM and have started
accessing the benefits. More than 9000 women have been sensitized to become
environment friendly and working for better environment at household and community
levels. This year five SHGs have been involved in Tree nursery Activities with Chale
chalo. SHGs Leaders Orientation on mangrove conservation and Livelihood Training
Programs have been organised in 4 locations- Kankadia, Ostira, Kurunti and
Silapokhari. 162 women participated in the training programs. The Resource persons
were Mr. Mohanta Kumar Mallick, Forester, Mr. Pareswar Biswal, Plants Grower, Mr.
Rashmi Ranjan, Micro-Finance & Micro-enterprise promoter, Mr. Umesh Chandra
Jena, Head Master of Swapneswar High Schools, Mr. Hemata Kumar Rout (Teacher),
Mr. Rama Ranjan Mallick, Coordinator, (Chale Chalo) Dr. Krupasindhu Samal,
Environmentalist, Mr. Sukdev Mallick, Mangro Activist (Nursery and Plantation) of Chale
Chalo and Mr. Ranjit Kumar Swain, Director (Chale Chalo). The training programs were
participatory in nature and the participants shared their experiences and valuable ideas
about mangrove conservation, protection and sustainable use of land and water
resources and off farm income generation actions with government supports. They
realized that community in general and women in particular have greater role for the
regeneration & protection of mangrove since the mangrove forest is crucial for disaster
minimization & safeguarding coastal Livelihood. They appreciated the lobby and
advocacy works of Chale Chalo for bringing the livelihoods issues of the fishermen and
women during ban period and now the government has taken decision for promotion of
livelihood through WSHGs, CFMCs and other CBOs in villages nearer to mangrove
forest and banned fishing areas. Tree nursery activities have built up the capacity of few
women SHGs. They are trained in mixing right kind and quantity of soil, sand and
organic manure for nursery, developing poly bag packing skills, bed preparation,
arranging poly bags on nursery beds, seeds germination, seeds showing, saplings
transplantation in poly bags and care, surviving seedlings, maintenance of seedlings
and regular care, seedlings transfer, place selection, pits digging and preparatory works
for plantation, undertaking plantation and plants care. 156 women have been trained on
general nursery raising, plantation and plant care. MANGRO Project staffs are regularly
visiting the groups and providing hand hold supports to them and playing facilitators role
in their capacity building and development. Mainly the WSHGs prefer fuel, fodder, and
food and nutrition verity plants such as drumstick, guava, papaya, oou, sapeta and
lemon. Few women got motivated and tried to revive the practice of seeds preservation
for use in next year. Last year the women SHGs of Ostira groups had undertaken both
backyard and common land plantation. They have taken good care of the plants and
the damage rate is minimal. More and more women are now convinced about the
benefits of vegetable cultivation on their own lands and undertaking seasonal vegetable
cultivation. But, because of harsh and extreme climate, prolonged hot summer, delayed
monsoon and untimely rains, they have not been successful as expected this year.
They are determined to continue their efforts in promoting vegetable cultivation for food
and nutrition security. They do realize the harmful effects of chemical fertilizers and
pesticides and trying to prepare organic manure and pesticides and adopt sustainable
agriculture practices. This is at the beginning stage and more need to be done for
intensive capacity building training, campaign and direct supports for demonstration of
sustainable agriculture practices with focus on preservation of local seeds, developing
kitchen garden in massive scale, developing and improvising technology for preparation
of organic manure and integrated pest management system etc. Gender equality,
prevention of violence against women, women rights, women health and girls education
have been given due importance as cross cutting issues in all the meetings, trainings,
workshops and campaigns under the project actions.
d) Nursery Raising, Plantation and Plants Care of Mangrove and
General Species
Tree Nurseries, Plantation and Plants Care of General Species: This year too we
had to undergo more or less the same process for organizing tree nursery activities by
involving 6 school eco-clubs, 5 women SHGs and 3 Youth Clubs. Due to prolong hot
summer, delayed monsoon and irregular rains and then untimely and heavy rains had
damaged the seeds and seedlings 3 – 4 times. With all efforts and care of the
MANGRO project staffs, volunteers and nursery organizing groups at last we had been
able to raise 31,300 seedlings against the targeted 30,000 seedlings. Among the 14
groups 2 eco-clubs had done the nursery works last year. However, 12 groups are new.
This year we had selected the areas where the soil and water are comparatively less
affected by salinity based on our past year’s experience. Lots of small actions were
involved to make the nursery and plantation programs successful.
We had organized series of meetings, group discussions, consultations for SHGs, EcoClubs, Youth Groups and Community Members and mobilized and motivated the
Students, Youths and Women to undertake nursery and plantation activities. The staffs
had visited several times and consulted with lead farmers, forest and agriculture
department people for site selection with participation of groups and community
members and schools. Because of salty soil we had to bring soil from Nimapur Village,
Pattamundai by Trackers. Due-to damaged bridge of Tantiapala the tractors had to take
a long circular road and the hence the soil transportation cost increased. We had to
undertake fencing for tree nursery raising area. Seeds and poly bags purchasing were
done in time from cuttack & Bhubaneswar. However, there were germination and
seedlings survival failures for 2-3 times. Since it was getting late, the director and
coordinator had gone to Kolkata to explore and buy good quality of tender saplings of
fruits bearing trees. They had also contacted few agencies in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack
for collection of tender saplings since there was problem in germination of purchased
seeds. Contact and consultation with technical persons were made on proposed
nursery works. 1 mangrove activist Mr. Sukdev Malika and some group members had
already been trained on nursery raising and helped the new groups to complete the
preparatory works and guide them in nursery raising. The coordinator Mr. Rama Ranjan
Mallick and another mangrove activist Mr. Ajit Kumar Lenka had to undergo 2 days
intensive orientation training in JK Papers Mills Nursery, Bhubaneswar with their
nursery technician on how to organize nurseries more scientific manner, transporting,
planting and taking care of tender saplings in different stages, how to deal with the pest
and hot sun rays and how to minimize the loss in nursery and plantation etc. The trained
technical persons visited the nursery sites to plan and start the nursery works. We had
to take assistance from the forest department people from time to time. The SHGs,
youth club and Eco-Club Members were undergone orientation training on Nursery
Raising before and during the nursery raising process. Poly bags Packing was done by
the groups’ members in villages and children in schools in time. Beds preparation was
done as per the guidance of technical persons. Seeds germination and seeds sowing
process was done under the guidance of technical person. But the result of germination
was not encouraging on the nursery beds in first 2-3 attempts. However, we had to take
resetting of nursery beds with new seeds and tender saplings as and when required till
the end of monsoon season. Regular meetings were organized to take stock of the
situation and keeping the work spirit high. Watering and cleaning in the nurseries were
done regularly. Regular Maintenance of nursery beds and adjoining areas were done by
the SHGs, Eco-Clubs and Youth Clubs Members along with staffs and others. Training
on Plantation and Plant Care were organized before and during plantation program in
project villages and schools. Seedlings Distributions and Plantation Programs were
done during monsoon season. The women, children, youths and villagers had to take
good care in order to ensure survival of the planted trees in extreme weather condition.
Regular Monitoring and Support Services have been provided by the Director and other
staffs and volunteers of Chale Chalo to help the communities to experiment the nursery
raising and plantation programs.
Mangrove Nurseries and Plantation:
Based on past experience, we have been successful in setting up and running two
sustainable Mangrove Nursery Centers – one at Kankadia River Site and the other one
is at Barahapur. The first mangrove nursery at Barahapur that we initiated in the year
2007 had a technical problem for which it could not sustain. The problem was that we
had selected a very low lying area and again we had had deep trenches. That caused
for submerge of mangrove nursery seedlings with tide water for more hours than
required. However, at present in both the two mangrove nurseries we have overcome
this technical problem by choosing not so low or not so high areas for perfectly allowing
the salty tidal water to pass through them and submerge them for required times. Even
during summer season if required we had to lift tidal salty water to irrigate mangrove
nursery beds twice or thrice in a week to ensure their survival. This year we have been
able to raise 20014 new mangrove seedlings. Actually raising seedlings and plantation
of mangrove species are becoming regular actions depending upon the species which
are suitable for the seasons. The process we have followed this year is more or less the
same with certain improvements. Village level meetings and focus group discussions
including women, PRIs & youths were organized before undertaking mangrove nursery.
Action Plan for Mangrove Nursery and Plantation were made by the project staffs and
villagers. Trainings on Mangrove Nursery Raising and Plantation were held at different
points of time. Bush and Grass cleaning were done in new site of nursery in Barahapur
and maintenance and repairing was done in Kankadia. Land demarcation and
preparation in the presence of forest department technical persons for mangrove
nursery and plantation were done. Fences were made to protect the nursery and
plantation sites. Trenches were dug under the guidance of forest department people for
preparing mangrove nursery bed and undertaking plantation. Boats and people having
expertise were hired for collecting and carrying mangrove seedlings from different
places from time to time. Seeds collections from BATIGHARA, JAMBU, GUPTI and
PRAHARAJPUR forest areas were done as per the availability of different mangrove
seeds in different seasons. Poly bag packing with silt was done by trained villagers. This
was the most time consuming, risk bearing and tedious work in the process of raising
mangrove nursery. Seeds were collected and sown in silt filled poly bags in phases as
per the availability of seeds. Seedlings were raised as well as plantations were
undertaken in phases depending upon the seasonal availability of the mangrove seeds.
Regular Monitoring and Corrective Measures have been taken by the director, staffs,
volunteers with the help of forest department people and villagers. Maintenance of
Mangrove Nursery and Plantation has been done regularly. Regular village meetings
and community mobilization have been done. Extension of areas near existing
mangrove plantation sites along with maintenance and gap filling of old Kankadia and
Barahapur Mangrove plantation site has further strengthen the process of mangrove
regeneration and protection through community participation in the area. Linked among
the people of Kankadia and Barahapur villages have been established. They have been
supporting each other and learning from the experience of each other
Seeds collection has always been found as high risk because of sea tide, high speed
wind, wild mosquitoes, snakes and crocodiles. The specific seeds are available in
specific season in specific forest / areas. In case the collection is missed in time, one
has to wait for another year to collect that particular seeds. Silt collection from river bed,
preparing them on the bank of the river and Poly bags filling with silt were difficult tasks
due to the fear of crocodiles, submergence of silt areas due to high tide, hot sun, heavy
rains and sometimes absence of trained people due to their engagement in agricultural
and other works. At the initial period there was problem to mobilize, motivate and
sensitize local fishermen and buffalo owners to cooperate in mangrove nursery and
plantation. However, as a result of continuous dialogue and persuasion by the project
staffs and villagers, they have changed their attitudes and behavior and cooperated in
the mangrove nursery and plantation works. Scorching sun was a big problem and
challenges to complete the work in time. In Praharajpur mangrove plantation site we
have problem of natural siltation process, which has been dumping lots of silts on the
mangrove plants and damaging the same. The creek is filled with huge amount of silt
and the water course is being chocked / closed rapidly. The silt is damaging mangrove
plants and hindering their growth as well as survival in the area. However, on our
request, the forest department has started reviving the lost portion of old mangrove
plantation site by planting mangrove seedlings in the upper portion of the creek filled
with silt in phased manner and providing protection. Still there are few people in nearby
villages of all the mangrove plantation sites, who are causing damage to plants while
catching fishes in the night and taking their buffalos early morning or in the wee hours of
evening. Breeding season of crocodiles has created fear among the people who have
been working for mangrove nursery and plantation and their maintenance. Sometimes
the crocodiles are attacking human beings and even killing goats and cows near
Kankadia and Praharajpur. In the new mangrove plantation site near Kankadia village,
the villagers especially the youth volunteers are taking responsibility for protection of
planted mangrove seedlings with the help of our mangrove activist. The community has
been mobilized against the prawn cultivation, which causes sea erosion near Jaudia.
They are putting pressure on the forest department for mangrove and casuarina
plantation in the site. A positive environment has been created for mangrove
regeneration and protection in project villages and people are now concern for better
environment by reviving mangroves and planting trees of their needs and have been
supporting to forest department and CHALE CHALO in their mangrove plantation works.
A watch shed called HENTAL KUTIRA (MANGROVE HUT) has been constructed with
the participation of community and school teachers. Chale Chalo in collaboration with
SEVA (a small NGO launched by a software engineer working in Delhi) is running an
education center at Hental Kutira in the morning for pre-school dalit and other poor
children and helping the primary school children in order to mainstream and do better in
their studies in formal schools. The Barahapur and Kankadia mangrove plantation sites
are great success and has become a demonstration field for mangrove regeneration
and protection for the communities, environment loving people and even for forest
department people
Our experience is that taking the soil and water condition of the locality into
consideration, we are more successful with comparatively less difficulty in setting up
and running mangrove nurseries with good survival rate than the general tree nurseries
and the area is more suitable for mangrove nurseries than the general nurseries.
However, there is a chance of loss due to floods for prolonged period during rainy
season in lower lying areas and also there might not be much tidal water in certain
season, which may damage the plants in bit high areas. Whatever may be the case, the
damage rate of mangrove species from nursery to plantation and plant survival due to
natural cause has always been within 10 to 20% maximum and that have been reset
and replaced with the available mangrove seedlings in the nurseries. In Kankadia river
site we have vast stench of areas for mangrove plantation and may require 3-4 years to
have a complete plantation and mangrove forest in major chunk of areas. This year we
have extended the area under mangrove plantation in this site and provided good
protection and care for the last year’s plantation. Similarly, we are extending the
mangrove plantation to Tantiapal areas near Barahapur along with providing good
protection and care to the old mangrove plantation site of Barahapur. In Barahapur, we
have now a perfect mangrove forest, which encouraged and influenced the people to
revive a damaged mangrove plantation site of the government at Singarpur. We have
motivated and mobilized them to cooperate with forest department in replanting
mangrove species, giving collective protection and taking care of the plants. However,
our plantation at Praharajpur has been partly success. The plantation on the other site
of the river survived well. However, the plantation on village site was damaged largely
due to rapid siltation, fishing, carrying boats and buffalos in night, early morning or wee
hours of the evening. The villagers had conflict with the fishermen of other villages and
the cases had been brought to the police station. So, the people found it difficult to
protect the plants. However, we did not leave our attempt, we made all our efforts to
motivate the villagers and forest department people to come forward and revive the
plantation sites. We changed our strategy and instead of replanting the damaged
species site on our behalf, we mobilized the forest department and motivated the promangrove forest people of the village to cooperate with the forest department for
replanting the species where some portion of the earlier plants have been damaged.
This arrangement is now working, but the growth of plants is slow due to siltation in the
water channel and plantation site. We are consolidating our efforts for mangrove
nurseries and plantations and planning to slowly expand the areas closed to our existing
sites and then new sites. However, we would like to suggest that from the year 2011 we
can have a permanent central general tree nursery in our new piece of land, which can
reduce the risk of large scale damage due to salinity, hot summer and other natural and
manmade causes and also can reduce the cost, time consumption, human and other
resources and ensure more success.
e) Engaging Community, CSOs/NGOs, Government, PRIs, Media,
Intellectuals and Other Stakeholders to address Mangrove
Conservation, Climate Change and Sustainable Development
Issues
Throughout the project year we have been successful in engaging the communities,
CSOs/NGOs, government people, PRIs, Media, Intellectuals, fishermen and cattle
herders etc by organizing cluster and district level workshops, meetings, debates,
discussions and actions for conservation of mangroves and combating climate change.
Realizing the importance of the workshops on the subject as conservation of mangroves
and combating climate change we had 2 cluster level and 3 district level workshops in
order to take the message to maximum opinion builders and change makers and
strengthen the campaign and action initiatives at local and district level. Important
personalities, who are concerned and active in taking up the issues of environment and
development of the locality and district had participated in the workshops. In 2 cluster
level workshops we had 230 participants and in 3 district level workshops had 179
participants. The subjects covered in these workshops were:
 Importance of Mangrove Regeneration, Protection, Conservation and
Management through active involvement of Local Communities and support of
CSOs and other stakeholders
 Need of Mangrove Conservation in the context of Global Warming and Climate
Change
 Understanding of various aspects of Climate Change and sharing of local
experiences on climate change impacts
 Local Actions for contributing resilience of Climate Chage
 Understanding coastal eco-system and sustainable management of land, forest
and water resources
 Sustainable Agriculture, Fishing and other Options for Rural Livelihoods
 Disaster Preparedness and Management and Long – term measures to reduce
the impacts of disasters
The forest department has involved the MANGRO Project team members in
mobilizing the communities and creating awareness on the occasion of important
environment related days. The department has taken our service in creating
awareness on protection of Olive Riddle Turtles, Crocodiles and other Wild Lives
and also the plants resources in and around Bhitar kanika. The collaboration and
cooperation between Chale Chalo and the local forest office have been further
strengthened due to our visible and tangible actions in mangrove regeneration,
protection, massive plantation addressing people’s needs and creation of
awareness and imparting environment education. The local media has played
positive role in highlighting the importance of mangroves and protection of
environment in this fragile eco-zone. The MANGRO Project has given a perfect
platform for other NGOs/CSOs, social activists, environment loving people and
intellectuals in the locality and the district to come together, debate, discuss on the
issues, express their views, create public opinion and further strengthen collective
actions for protection of mangroves and coastal environment and initiate the
process of sustainable development in coastal disaster prone areas.
Among others the following persons have volunteered for facilitation of different
sessions during cluster and district level workshops. They are:
Mr. Aurobinda Mishra, (Range Officer, Rajnagar, Forest Department Office)
Mr. Mihir Ranjan Pattnaik (Range Officer, Mahakalpada, Forest Department Office)
Mr. Sarat Kumar Palita (Professor, Geology, Kendrapara College and Researcher on
Mangroves)
Mr. Duryadhan Parida (Principal Kendrapara Evening College)
Mr. Babaji Charan Lenka (Social Worker, Kendrapra)
Mr. Jagabandhu Nayak (EX- chairman, Rajnagar Block)
Mr. Krupasindhu Samal (Social Activist, Doctor)
Mr. Sitakanta Rahula (President, OSTA, Rajnagar)
Mr. RamaPada Arabinda Mishra (Forest Range Officer, Rajnagar)
Mr. Mahanta Malick (Forest Gurd, Sasanpeta, Mahakalapada)
Mr. Hemanta Kumar Rout (Teacher)
Mr. Rama Ranjan Mallick (Coordinator, CHALE CHALO)
Mr. Ranjit Kumar Swain (Director, CHALE CHALO)
Mr. Ghanshyam Bhitriya (Sustainable Agriculture Expert)
Mr. Surya Mishra, Senior Journalist, Rajnagar
Mr. Bhaskar Routray, Senior Journalist, Rajnagar
f) Advocacy and Networking on Climate Change, Green
Economies and Sustainable Development Issues at State and
National level
The MANGRO Team members have participated in workshops and consultation
meetings on Climate Change organized by Focus Orissa (an e-group on Orissa’s
Development Issues), Crop Loss and Farmers Suicide as Climate Change Impacts
and given suggestions with other like-minded organizations during formulation of
climate change action plan of Government of Orissa. We have printed and
circulated a Folder on Climate Change and few Write Ups through our Newsletter
“The Hental” among the NGOs and Government People at the state level in order to
convey the message from the field and advocate for concrete short and long – term
measures to help the community to cope up with climate change effects and initiate
actions at all levels to resilience climate change in the state. We are always
showing our solidarity with groups / organizations / networks interested to work
seriously to address climate change, green economies and sustainable
development issues in the state.
This year we have been able to establish linkages with few important organizations
and networks working on climate change, green economies and sustainable
development issues during Tara Gram Yatra in Delhi and Bundelkhand organized
by Development Alternatives in September 2010. We had the opportunity to
highlight our issues and works at the national level and also learned from others’
experiences. All these have helped us to reflect and analyse our plans and actions,
further consolidate and expand the well thought actions that have been initiated by
us and which have been substantially contributing addressing climate change
issues and promoting green economies and sustainable developments in a disaster
prone and eco-fragile pocket in Coastal Orissa.
g) A Step for Establishment of MANGRO / ECO – CENTRE
Under MANGRO Project we have purchased a piece of land of 0. 36 ½ ac. in the
centre place of 5 blocks and more nearer to Rajnagar, Pattamundai and
Mahakalpada Blocks for establishment of MANGRO / ECO – Centre. The purpose
is to make this centre as a powerhouse for spreading awareness, education,
capacity building and empowerment of the communities of the entire district of
Kendrapara, coastal Orissa and other parts of the state and nation to work for
regeneration and protection of mangroves and other forests / tree mass, protect the
environment, promote green economies, eco-friendly villages, infrastructures,
schools and other institutions, creating green belt in coastal Orissa, promoting eco-
friendly and sustainable agriculture and sustainable development processes and
practices. This would be used for demonstration, training and resource centre for
regeneration, protection, conservation and management of mangroves, promotion
of tree nurseries and plantation and sustainable agriculture, fisheries and other rural
livelihoods through involvement of communities, protection of coastal ecology and
environment, build up solidarity among environment loving people, concern
individuals, experts, resource institutes and contribute for strengthening the
campaign and actions in the district and state and other parts of the country and
world through setting examples and facilitating for collective learning and actions for
the best interest of nature, environment, sustainable development and future of the
earth including human being.
h) Others:
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Village level micro-planning process has been initiated in 09 villages to know the
socio-economic situation, natural resource base, existing infrastructure and
needs assessment of the village for strengthening environment protection and
sustainable development process. The staff and volunteers are creating
awareness and mobilizing the communities for regeneration, Protection,
conservation and management of mangrove forest and protecting environment in
their respective villages and incorporating the aspect of disaster preparedness
and management. Micro-level planning process has been initiated by the staff
and volunteers in the following villages. 1. Silapokhari, 2. Ghadiamala, 3.
Kandira, 4. Khola, 5. Iswarpur, 6. Jarimula,
7.Charankola, 8. Panikhia, 09.
Chandibaunsmula
The villagers living near a forest department’s completely damaged mangrove
site in Singarpur got inspired, motivated and mobilized by seeing the successful
community mangrove forest promoted by Chale Chalo near Barahapur village
and through participation of our programs and got ready to support forest
department in re-plantation of mangrove plants and protect the mangrove forest.
The lobby and advocacy facilitated and led by the local community and youths
motivated the forest department to undertake re-plantation with our cooperation.
Due to continuous campaign, lobby and advocacy in collaboration with local
communities, the forest department has undertaken avenue plantation under
from Rajnagar college to Gupti forest beat and from Hansina to Iswarpur
The forest department passionately and actively involved Chale Chalo for
organizing Marine Turtle Conservation Day, where we had to mobilize more than
300 traditional fishermen at Barunei sea mouth.
The eco-club students are regularly sending articles / songs / write ups with their
own interest for HENTAL to CHALE CHALO without any persuasion by teachers
or our staffs / volunteers
Eco-club children are campaigning for Gutkha and Polythine free school campus
and reused empty polythine bags use for milk packaging for tree nursery raising
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23 households in Koelipur GP are depending on Brahapur forest created by
Chale Chalo for collection of grasses, weeds, leaves and twigs in sustainable
manner mainly in the periphery of the forest area for fodder and fuel purposes
with due permission and under supervision of the Mangro Activist
The villagers who had undertaken plantation program more than 4 years ago
under the Mangro project, are now getting the benefits, realizing the importance
of planting trees and surviving them and taking their own initiatives to plant more
trees
Jackles and snakes live in the Barahapur forest and local birds are nesting there
The people are collecting the saplings from nurseries and planting trees as and
when they need
2009 climate change mela has inspired the school children and students. So they
have tried to observe the world environment day, Banamahosav, Wild Animal
Protection Week and Global Hand wash Day in more qualitative manner with our
full cooperation and support
CHALE CHALO has played lead role in formation and strengthening of
Intellectual Forum, which is name as JANAMANCHA – Kendrapara District. The
Environment loving people, School Teachers, Professors, Lecturers, Journalists,
CBOs, NGOs, Youths, Advocates and Social Activists are involved in the forum.
A meeting is being organized on 17th of each month. The agenda of the meeting
are mainly touching local issues like Mangrove Protection, Coastal Environment,
Health, Agriculture, Education, Women Development and Child Rights etc.
Rajnagar High School, Patrapur High School, Chandiagari High School and
Kasanta High school have already received Prakruti Mitra (Nature Friend) award
as a result of visible changes that we have made during last 4 years
Badapalli and Sapaneswar High Schools though started schools campus
development and plantation works lately, they have completely made positive
changes in school environment. They are forerunner of getting Prakruti Mitra
Award
We have been lobbying for more funds allocation to eco-clubs through eco-clubs
teachers, children and media. This year the government has increased the
annual funds to eco-clubs from Rs.2000/- to Rs.5000/With our facilitation 4 SHGs have qualified for TRIPTI Project of Government and
received Rs.5000/- as initial grant for group strengthening
The local youths, school students, teachers, women SHGs leaders and
community leaders are engaged in awareness building on issues of their
concerns in the project villages
Thousands of leaflets, folders and newsletters have been distributed among
different stakeholders at different levels