LocationsWomen lead the charge in mangrove restoration in Maharashtra
July 25, 2024
Vandana Patil, member of a mud-carb farming group - Healthy Harvest in Navghar, Palghar
"Earlier, we used to see unpredictable crab and fish catch and had to rely on other sources of livelihoods," recounts Vandana Patil, a member of a crab farming group called Healthy Harvest in Maharashtra’s Navghar village in Palghar district. Local communities claim that one of the main reasons for declining crab and fish catch is the illegal cutting of mangroves, which erodes the coastal ecosystem and threatens their way of life.
India's coastline, particularly in the western state of Maharashtra, is rich with a diverse mangrove ecosystem. These mangroves, covering a 720 square km shoreline, are more than just trees—they protect the coast, guard against climate change impacts, and support biodiversity. In Maharashtra’s seven coastal districts, home to 28.62 million people, mangroves prevent floods, sequester carbon, act as breeding and nursery grounds for fish species, and generate jobs for the communities.
Mangrove by the creek in Navghar, Palghar
However, the illegal cutting and degradation of mangroves have had devastating consequences. Flooding, saline intrusion, and soil erosion are hampering the lives and livelihoods of coastal communities. Women, who often manage crop and fish livelihoods while men migrate to urban areas for better opportunities, have borne the brunt of these changes.
To combat these challenges, the Government of India, in collaboration with the Green Climate Fund and UNDP, launched a project to enhance climate resilience of India's coastal communities. This initiative, operational across three coastal states—Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Odisha—focuses on conserving and restoring marine ecosystems, including mangroves, and promoting climate-resilient livelihoods. Central to its success is a community-led approach, embodied by the formation of the Mangrove Co-Management Committee, which includes village members, the Gram Panchayat, and women at the forefront.
In Navghar, despite the significance of mangroves, many households were unaware of the link to their livelihoods. In response, the project formed a Mangrove Co-Management Committee in 2021, which led structured training for women's Self-Help groups on livelihood-based activities and mangrove restoration. These efforts resulted in the creation of livelihood groups focused on crab farming and the implementation of safeguards to protect the mangroves.
“Through our campaigns and drives, we have raised awareness about mangroves and their link to healthy fish catch and livelihoods,” explains Rohan Patil, president of the committee. By 2023, two groups, Healthy Harvest and Wild Crab Aqua Farm, were established. These groups now farm mud-crabs over 2 acres of the coast and protect the crab farms from illegal cutting.
Today, the mangroves in Navghar stand tall and untouched, serving as a bulwark against environmental degradation. Vandana shares, “The project helped us a lot. Earlier, women used to do this [fish produce] business only when it was the season, and for the rest of the months, we could not find employment. Now that we are getting employment throughout the year, this extra income of approximately Rs. 85,000 (US$1000) helps us provide a good education for our children. Besides, earlier we had to travel far and wide for crab [farming], now we can do it locally."
Vandana Patil and her family in Navghar
Vandana Patil at the site of her pen culture farm
A mud-crab pen culture within a creek surrounded by mangroves in Navghar, Palghar
The story of Navghar village is one of transformation, driven by the unwavering spirit of its women. Through their dedication to protecting the mangroves, they have not only secured their livelihoods but also ensured a sustainable future for their community. With less than six years to meet the Sustainable Development Goals, efforts like these go a long way in accelerating progress not just on Goal 13 (climate action) and Goal 5 (gender equality), but all the SDGs.