BACKGROUND 

Addressing threats to our coastal ecosystems requires collective vision, action, and commitment. Celebrating 150 years of the Tata Group, Tata Chemicals Pvt. Ltd., through its social arm, TCSRD, created the C-SCAPES (Centre for Sustainable Action & Protection of Ecosystems of the Seas) initiative, envisioning the conservation and wise-use of marine and coastal biodiversity through local, regional and national actions and collaboration, towards achieving inclusive and sustainable development in India. Ongoing projects include:

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1. Restoration of abandoned salt pans into wetland bird habitat in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu (with BNHS, Bombay Natural History Society)

2. Community-led coral reef conservation in the Lakshadweep islands (with SCF, Shrusti Conservation Foundation)

3. Conservation and sustainable management of coastal (seagrass and mangrove) ecosystems for increased resilience to climate change in Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu, and Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh (with MSSRF, , M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation)

4. Whale shark conservation in Gujarat (with WTI, Wildlife Trust of India)

5. Coral reef restoration along the Mithapur coastline, Gujarat (with WTI, Wildlife Trust of India)

6. Facilitating a Marine Megafauna Stranding Network in Gujarat (with Reef Watch Conservation Foundation)

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CONSULTANCY SERVICES PROVIDED

Programme Strategy Design; Programme Coordination; Impact Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting 

We coordinate the C-SCAPES initiative (housed under TCSRD). This involves facilitating collaborations between C-SCAPES, local communities, NGOS, research institutes, government, private sector and other relevant partners. ​We support all necessary due diligence activities to ensure C-SCAPES investment; conducting risk assessments, designing project strategies (including activity plans, work schedules, budgets, deliverables, sustainability and exit strategies); implementing monitoring and impact verification systems; providing technical support; and reporting to C-SCAPES funders, TCSRD and the C-SCAPES Advisory Council.

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Part of our work is now focused on understanding (and financing) opportunities to generate carbon credits from C-SCAPES projects, in alignment with accredited carbon standards and methodologies. We are also supporting Tata Chemicals in meeting their Science-based Emissions Targets through the establishment of microalgal biofuel systems.

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OUTCOMES

Our efforts are revealing and establishing new pathways for protection and governance of our coastal biodiversity, equitable uses and benefits of coastal resources, and strengthened resilience and well-being of people along India’s coastline.