Community-based mangrove restoration across several villages contributed to disaster risk reduction and protected key habitats for aquatic and terrestrial species.

Gujarat state boasts the largest mangrove habitat on the western coast of India. However, it has been severely diminished and degraded by human and natural causes. A weakened mangrove ecosystem not only threatens biodiversity but reduces natural protection against cyclones and storm surges, whose impacts are expected to worsen as a result of climate change. In response, facilitated by the Gujarat State Forest Department and Gujarat Ecology Commission, community-based mangrove restoration was adopted across several villages along the Gulf of Kutch region in Gujarat. The project promoted a multi-stakeholder model involving private and public sector partners and placed a particular emphasis on community-based implementation.