Our Project
The TCP had undertaken a similar project in 2005 and had successfully completed the restoration of 500 hectares of mangroves. Current project is also underway since 2021 for restoration and conservation of 3,000 hectares of mangroves along the coastline of Sri Lanka. The layout and the planting areas has been planned out in consultation with a special ist team comprising of TCP officers, Local government officials, Research team and the GIS mapping team. Data collected from the field and locality are analyzed for suitability to plant the mangroves and the areas are selected considering the data analysis.
Site Selection
The project has planned to replant mangroves nearly 7.0 million around the country. Suitable sites are selected through a consultative process with communities and relevant government officers in the field level. We have already obtained a list of potential planting sites from the department of Coast Conservation and Coastal resources Management. Then we arrange site level meetings and discussions with local people specially lagoon fishers and field level officers of relevant government agencies to explain the project. Once the sites are finalized, the number of plants and exact locations will be mapped. We also communicate on potential species to be planted based on the historical data and information.
The TCP staff will Visit different sites available in the District and check the soil conditions, species abundance, need of restoration, attitudes of the community, CBO capacity and experience, political situation etc. Meet the government agent, divisional secretaries, relevant local government officers such as forest department, wildlife department, coast conservation department, marine pollution preventing authority, central environmental authority officers, and ARMY and NAVY officers in the area and discuss and inform them about the proposed project. Discuss with the CBO how to proceed with the project
It is expected to visit at least 12 different coastal districts (As shown in the map above) to check the project feasibility. TCP expects to spend 2-3 days in a particular site to check the mangrove planting sites and meet the local people and government officers. We will also meet and discuss with the officials of relevant government ministries and departments in Colombo and seek their fullest support to the project.
Collection of Saplings
In addition to their adaptation to salty conditions, mangroves have also evolved innovative reproductive strategies. Mangrove embryos grow directly on the parent tree, and are dropped as propagules only once fully developed. Some propagules may take root in the soil beneath the parent tree, but others may float for an extended period of time before anchoring to the shore. Once a site selected for planting, we give our first priority to collect planting materials around the site. Since turtle conservation project is very concern about plastic and polythene pollution in the coastal areas we try as much as possible to plant seedlings directly without nursing them. We believe that we can contribute to minimize coastal area pollution. There is scientific evidence that planting rhizophora seedling directly without nursing has achieved about 60% of survival rate. Therefore, as the first round of planting we decide mainly confine to the rhizophora species with the aim of introducing other species in later planting circles. Collection of saplings (viviparous fruits) mainly from R. mucronata and R. apiculata will be done by the recruited community members and they will be paid for per sapling basis. NGO/CBO will be trained on how to select a viable sapling and only the good saplings will be purchased. Community members may have to use boats to go to remote islands in order to collect the saplings and therefore, the payments should consider not only for their labour but also the transportation. This activity will be a livelihood for several people in the community. Total of 2 million saplings will be purchased with the funding of VNV and the remaining 250,000 saplings (500 saplings per hectare x 2,000 hectares) will be collected as NGO/CBO contribution to refill and maintain the minimum required number of plants per hectare (to maintain minimum 3500 plants per hectare, we will be planting 4500 plants).
The TCP staff will Visit different sites available in the District and check the soil conditions, species abundance, need of restoration, attitudes of the community, CBO capacity and experience, political situation etc. Meet the government agent, divisional secretaries, relevant local government officers such as forest department, wildlife department, coast conservation department, marine pollution preventing authority, central environmental authority officers, and ARMY and NAVY officers in the area and discuss and inform them about the proposed project.
Discuss with the CBO how to proceed with the project It is expected to visit at least 12 different coastal districts (As shown in the map above) to check the project feasibility. TCP expects to spend 2-3 days in a particular site to check the mangrove planting sites and meet the local people and government officers. We will also meet and discuss with the officials of relevant government ministries and departments in Colombo and seek their fullest support to the project.
Sorting of sapling
The saplings thus collected are sorted to select the mature ones. Only the best quality saplings are selected for planting. For every 100,000 saplings chosen, there are approximately 35,000 saplings which are discarded due to poor quality. It takes about 3 days to sort through 100,000 mature saplings. The people that are sorting through these saplings are paid a daily wage during this period
Transportation of Saplings
The collected saplings are transported to different collection centers in specific localities. In certain cases, these saplings need to be transported to and from nurseries to planting locations. These saplings are taken to the collection centers and to nurseries and planting locations through numerous forms of transport such as boat, Lorries and tuk tuks. As such, the drivers and helpers of the vehicles used for transport also benefit from this project as they are compensated for their services.
Planting
When planted direct in the lagoon the people also benefit directly as they are paid for the number of saplings planted. When planting saplings in the nurseries, another few members of the community are involved in making the soil mixture which is required to fill in the bags. The soil mixture includes sand, clay and coconut fiber dust which they have to purchase separately and mix manually. This process can be done within the nursery. This activity is also a livelihood for several people in the community.
Fencing
Once the saplings are planted in lagoons, they are maintained and taken care of until they are fully grown. Fences are erected surrounding the planted area to protect them from the grazing cattle, goats, cows, donkeys etc. A group of community members are assigned to make a fence around the restored mangrove areas. Wooden sticks/poles and plastic threads (thick fishing lines) are used to make fences. Budgets are allocated for purchasing sticks/poles, fishing lines and labour costs. This activity is a livelihood for several people in the community.
Collection of saplings (viviparous fruits) mainly from R.mucronata and R.apiculata are done by the recruited community members and they are paid for per sapling basis. Community members are trained on how to select a viable sapling and only the good saplings are purchased. Community members use boats to go to remote islands in order to collect the saplings and therefore, the payments are considered not only for their labour but also the transportation. This activity has created a livelihood for several people in the community. Total of 7 million saplings will be purchased with the funding of VNV and the remaining 750,000 saplings are collected as NGO/CBO contribution to refill and maintain the minimum required number of plants per hectare (to maintain minimum 3500 plants per hectare, we will be planting 4500 plants).
Monitoring & Evaluation
Community based monitoring plays an important role for the long term benefits of mangrove plantation. The above mentioned CBO\Fisheries society in collaboration with local people takes the responsibility to look after the planted seedlings. The project provides all technical and financial supports for this task. We also seek support from officers of coast conservation Department, forest department to ensure better planting programme. We plant 4500 saplings per hectare in order to retain minimum of 3500 plants after a one year period.
