Odisha’s Mangrove Revival Earns Global Spotlight in Climate Documentary
Odisha’s grassroots climate resilience efforts have taken centre stage in the latest season of An Optimist’s Guide to the Planet, a documentary series hosted by Game of Thrones actor and UNDP Goodwill Ambassador Nikolaj Coster-Waldau.
The premiere episode, titled “Protect,” showcases Bagapatia village in Kendrapara district, where displaced families have rebuilt their lives through mangrove restoration and sustainable livelihoods.
The documentary highlights the Enhancing Climate Resilience of India’s Coastal Communities (ECRICC) project, jointly implemented by the Green Climate Fund, MoEFCC, Government of Odisha, and UNDP.
Since 2018, over 3,200 hectares of degraded mangrove forests have been restored across Kendrapara, Bhadrak, and Balasore districts.
These green belts now serve as natural bio-shields against cyclones and erosion, while enhancing carbon storage.
Women’s self-help groups have played a pivotal role in raising nurseries, planting native species, and promoting eco-tourism, making the initiative a model of inclusive development.
Coster-Waldau’s visit to Odisha underscores the power of community-led climate action and positions the state as a global leader in ecosystem-based adaptation.
The series airs on Bloomberg Originals and is available on Amazon Prime Video, Samsung TV+, LG Channels, Bloomberg TV, Bloomberg.com, and YouTube.