PROJECT DESCRIPTION

 

The East Coast of India, characterised by its rich biodiversity, fertile deltas, and vibrant coastal communities, is under significant threat from climate change, environmental degradation, and socio- economic challenges. Through the East Coast Conservation Alliance (ECCA), a partnership-led collaborative initiative of community-based partners from states along the East Coast of India, issues are addressed through a holistic approach that integrates coastal ecosystem restoration through community- led initiatives. ECCA places local communities at the heart of conservation efforts, restoring and protecting significant coastal habitats, enhancing livelihood security and sustainability, leveraging local knowledge and practices, and building integrated and knowledge-sharing partnerships, with the aim to create resilient ecosystems and empowered coastal societies.

 

The overall aims of the East Coast Conservation Alliance are to:

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• restore and conserve coastal wetland ecosystems, enhance biodiversity, mitigate climate change impacts, and safeguard ecosystem services,

• establish communities as custodians of ecosystem restoration, ensuring local knowledge, decision- making and participation drive conservation efforts,

• promote ecosystem justice and social equity by ensuring fair resource access and benefits sharing among all community members,

• foster inclusive partnerships which are community-based and community-led, especially the involvement of marginalized communities, with Local self-governing and State government agencies, NGOs, academia, private sector and international organizations to co-create, implement, support and scale conservation and development initiatives based on principles of equity and stewardship,

• improve the resilience and well-being of coastal communities by supporting alternative livelihood opportunities, promoting sustainable resource stewardship practices, adapting circular economy models to encourage regenerative practices and strengthening community capacity and empowerment through trainings, knowledge-sharing and informed decision-making and,

• strengthen data and evidence-based policy making by training the young adults in communities to collect and analyze data using tech- tools and giving the communities the skills to use this data to advocate for policy reforms and mobilize resources for comprehensive climate resilience strategies.

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SUPPORT PROVIDED BY ECONICHE

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Development of a strategic project proposal including needs-based assessments; log frame; activity-based timelines and budgets; impact monitoring, evaluation, and reporting plans; and mapping of potential impact sustainability strategies beyond the project scope.

 

​​We are currently seeking funding, and expertise in mangrove carbon measurement and markets, for this initiative; if you are interested in supporting this work, please get in touch with us at econicheconsulting@gmail.com.

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Learn more about our previous work on the Integrated Mangrove Fish Farming System (IMFFS).