Bhubaneswar, July 26 (UNI) As part of its broader disaster risk reduction efforts in Odisha, Reliance Foundation has developed a holistic, data-driven approach to identify ideal locations for mangrove plantation, aimed at creating natural shields against storms and coastal hazards.
The Foundation is working closely with coastal communities in Balasore, Jagatsinghpur, and Ganjam districts to strengthen mangrove cover. Mangroves serve as natural barriers, reducing the impact of storm surges, preventing coastal erosion, and supporting coastal biodiversity.
To ensure scientific accuracy, Reliance Foundation identified five key ecological and geophysical parameters from existing research—land use, slope, elevation, soil type, and drainage—to guide site selection.
These parameters were converted into spatial data layers using satellite imagery, and each layer was assigned a weight and score using Geographic Information System (GIS) tools.
This preliminary analysis was followed by on-ground validation, assessing factors such as community willingness, and calculating a suitability score for each site.
This model was applied in Balasore, Bhadrak, and Jagatsinghpur districts. For example, in Balasore, of the 11 sites assessed, two were found to be highly suitable and several others moderately suitable. The highly rated sites will be prioritized for future phases of mangrove plantation.
Using this approach, Reliance Foundation can now identify suitable mangrove plantation sites across long stretches of the Odisha coastline.
As a result of these participatory efforts, over 70,000 mangrove saplings have already been planted across the three coastal districts.
Marking the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem on July 26, the Foundation organized plantation drives in Jagatsinghpur in collaboration with community organizations such as the Dolagobinda Youth Club, and in North 24 Parganas in West Bengal.
Additionally, mangrove site fencing and community awareness campaigns were conducted in Balasore to promote the role of mangroves in disaster risk reduction.
Similar awareness programmes were also held in coastal regions of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
