2 weeks Ago By Abigail Crasto
Have you ever chanced upon a tiny crab crawling along the mangroves’ breathing roots? Or ever wondered what makes these coastal treasures special? For years, mangroves have acted as a barrier between the waters and the land. With their tangled roots they’ve stood resilient to harsh tides, protecting riverbanks, coasts, communities and even letting ecosystems thrive under their care. This October, the OneEarth Foundation (OEF) offers you an opportunity to dive into the magic and mysteries of the mangroves.
Through their flagship campaign, ‘Mangrove Odyssey 2024’, the foundation is organising a month-long initiative dedicated to the conservation and appreciation of Goa's invaluable mangrove ecosystems. As a dedicated environmental organisation, with a mission to implement nature-based solutions that address pressing ecological challenges, OneEarth Foundation is deeply rooted in the belief that sustainable ecosystems are essential for the well-being of both nature and humanity. The foundation has spearheaded numerous initiatives focusing on coastal and marine conservation, sustainable tourism, waste management and community engagement.
Speaking about their ‘Mangrove Odyssey’ campaign, Ferdin Sylvester, Co-Founder and Director OneEarth Foundation shared, “Through a series of educational, cultural and hands-on activities, the campaign aims to engage communities , tourists and stakeholders, fostering a deeper understanding and inspiring action for mangrove preservation.” Today, the biggest threat to these tidal forests comes from rapid urbanisation especially construction and infrastructure projects, agriculture, plastic pollution and untreated sewage leading to accumulation and bio magnification of the toxic chemicals in the mangrove ecosystem — all, disrupting the delicate ecological balance. Embracing the world of mangroves and joining in this odyssey will help understand mangroves as a provider of vital resources, as a protector from erosion and storms and in combating climate change.
The Mangrove Odyssey is aimed at bringing about the realisation that these coastal treasures are invaluable assets and each one of us has a role in safeguarding these for the future. The ground-breaking campaign is designed to raise awareness about the vital role mangroves play by engaging government officials, organisations, thinktanks, students, community members and funders. And for this, the month-long celebration will feature a diverse range of activities for all ages.
Apart from a State-level art competition for students, the foundation will organise ‘Mangrove through My Lens’ photography contest, Mangrove Nature Classrooms workshops for children, Mangrove Trail Explorations, and Culinary Demonstration in collaboration with renowned chef Michael, who will showcase the culinary potential of mangroves through cooking demonstrations and workshops. The final evening of the celebrations will have a technical session, panel discussion and a fun-filled evening with mangrove-inspired food and flea stalls at the grand festival. “By reviving the cultural, artistic and traditional connections to mangroves, the Mangrove Odyssey seeks to create a lasting impact and inspire a new generation of environmental stewards,” Sylvester noted.
The Odyssey will culminate in a grand Mangrove Festival, celebrating the collective efforts and achievements of the campaign. Learn more about the Mangrove Odyssey 2024 REACH OUT: Instagram @oneearth.foundation.
