Mangrove Green Belts & Carbon Sequestration
The UNESCO World Heritage Sundarbans mangrove forest acts as a natural biome barrier against tidal surges and cyclones for the entire southern region of Bangladesh. However, deforestation and anthropogenic encroachment have weakened this vital ecological shield.
RUSTIC's Program 6.6 establishes community-managed coastal greenbelts along vulnerable riverbanks and polder embankments. By mobilizing local forest-dependent households (Bawalis and Mouals) as primary stewards, RUSTIC facilitates extensive mangrove planting, strip plantations, and decentralized homestead nurseries that generate carbon offsets while stabilizing topsoil against erosion.
6.6.1 Sundarbans Fringe Coastal Mangrove Planting
Planting indigenous mangrove species (Keora, Gewan, Bain, Golpata) along newly accreted riverbank char lands and mudflats across Mongla, Shyamnagar, and Dacope.
6.6.2 Roadside & Embankment Strip Social Forestry
Partnering with the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) and Forest Department to plant timber, medicinal (Neem, Arjun), and windbreak trees along 180+ kilometers of rural roads.
6.6.3 Decentralized Women-Led Community Tree Nurseries
Training landless women in nursery grafting, seedling bag preparation, and marketing of high-yield fruit saplings (Mango, Guava, Coconut) to ensure income while enriching rural biodiversity.
Afforestation Track Record
- Roadside Afforestation: 16.5 KM (16,500 Saplings Planted)
- Tree Asset Valuation: BDT 300 Million Current Value
- Forest Coverage Expansion: Increased from 9% to 14% in Region
- Cyclone Survival Rate: 60% Survived Sidr & Aila Cyclones