Vana Charitable Trust, in association with Syngene Biocon Foundation, Centre for Advanced Learning (CFAL) and other government departments, launched the mangroves restoration initiative along the ecologically significant Netravathi riverbank in Mangaluru.

The project aims to restore the degraded mangrove ecosystem, enhance biodiversity, improve carbon capture and protect the coastline. Over the next five years, the initiative aims to rehabilitate 54 acres of mangroves through community participation by engaging students and fishers as ‘Mangrove Guardians’. Advanced monitoring using GIS mapping, drone surveillance and biodiversity tracking would be deployed for enhanced protection.

Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) Commissioner Ravi Chandra Naik, District Urban Development Cell Project Director G. Santosh Kumar, College of Fisheries Dean H.N. Anjanayeyappa and others were present at the venue in Adam Kudru, off Netravathi Bridge.

Jeeth Milan Roche from Vana Charitable Trust explains the mangroves restoration initiative at Adam Kudru in Mangaluru on Thursday.
| Photo Credit:
H.S. MANJUNATH

40,000 saplings

Speaking on the occasion, Jeeth Milan Roche from Vana Charitable Trust said the organisers have planned to plant at least 40,000 saplings belonging to three species of mangroves this year. So far, close to 24,500 mangrove saplings have been planted, and the balance will be planted by the end of August.

The organisers had a total target of planting 50,000 saplings, including 10,000 saplings of native varieties of Western Ghat for the year. The native varieties have been planted in and around Pilikula, Vamajoor, Pachchanadi dumping yard and surrounding areas, he said.

CFAL, in a statement, said its project, the Amara initiative, launched on World Environment Day on June 5, aimed at planting 30,000 trees in 60 wards of Mangaluru and enhancing green cover in the city to 30% by 2040. The initiative seeks to create a cooler, cleaner, greener and more resilient city.