Rehabilitation for Cyclone Affected Communities

Sunderbans –the world’s largest mangrove delta has massive substantial contribution in balancing the Ecology and making the Environment human friendly. Out of total 108 Islands in Sunderbans, India 54 are covered by Mangrove Vegetations that created ‘Reserve Forest’- a Forest protected for Wild Life.

In the other 54 islands of the Sunderbans Delta human habitations are present. But unfortunately due to lack of proper and ample livelihood opportunities for survival People living here depend highly on Natural Resources- more particularly the Mangrove Vegetations- Cutting and Collecting Firewood, also by collecting Honey and Killing Wild Animals whose bones and skins are sold.As a result to these human messy interventions Mangroves Vegetations are gradually disappearing. This has severe impact on the Environment here.

On the other hand the river embankments are also becoming unprotected and weaker day by day with massive cutting of trees. Hence, the frequent Natural Calamity occurrences are also hampering the lives of Sunderbans people.This, however, has made the Sunderbans people realise that Mangrove Plantations and their Protection is very important now. Also support is required to establish an alternate livelihood option.

In this context we are trying to create resilience through sensitization among vulnertably affected communituies in shore areas and thereby ensure plantation of Mangroves.  

In this regard we have started idnetifying most vulnerable communities and the areas; have established a Model Garden for production of Mangrove Saplings; started plantin g Mangrove saplings along the shoer areas and river embanments; trying to create a capciaitaed group from the impacted communities in shore areas who will take the responsibility of porotecting the planted Mangroves and finally spreading the message on the wider commyntiues within and beoyond the planbtation areas on essentiality of Mangrove Plantations.

This is a very difficult and long to run effort which needs consistent efforts and deep intervtions among the vulnerable communitiy level. For wider area spread of Mangriove planattions we need resources as well. 

We hope that you will surely extend your hands of support and make this efforts spread widely.