Roots For Change
Sundarbans Mangroves Project
I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to visit the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, to be able to observe this mangrove ecosystem firsthand multiple times. While in the Sundarbans, I learned about the substantial mangrove forest loss currently threatening the region. I had the opportunity to engage with several local NGOs focused on mangrove reforestation and participate in mangrove planting myself. Through interviews with leaders of such NGOs, I observed a common trend: their mangrove reforestation efforts were suffering from a lack of consistent funding. NGOs relied on funding from external third parties, which was often sporadic, preventing sustainable planting.
In response, I founded Roots for Change, an initiative which aims to make mangrove reforestation in the Sundarbans sustainable. Due to my experience interning at a carbon accounting company the previous summer, I had a firm understanding of the mechanics of carbon-credit-based financing and wondered whether it could provide a sustainable source of funds. Using data from interviews with NGO leaders, academic papers, and other carbon-credit projects in South Asia, I determined that carbon-credit-based financing for mangrove reforestation in the Sundarbans is viable and has the potential to be self-sustaining.
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However, when I proposed this solution to NGO leaders, I found that they weren’t familiar with carbon credits and were not sure where to start. To fill this knowledge gap, I looked into numerous GHG crediting programs and read through their relevant methodologies. I distilled and synthesized the complex methodologies into 10 clear steps, created a straightforward Standard Operating Procedure, and published it as an easy to use manual. I also got it translated into Bengali through a volunteer. I coordinated with WWF, the Indian Forestry Department, and several NGOs to organise a workshop where I presented the Standard Operating Procedure to leaders of several NGOs, answered questions, and set up both an open forum and a panel to enable discourse between the various stakeholders present. As a result of the workshop, individuals from the NGOs noted they had a newfound understanding of carbon credits and were eager to work towards getting certification. Furthermore, my initiative was commended by WWF and the Indian Forestry Department.
Standard Operating Procedure Booklet
