Cairn to develop 100 hectares mangrove plantation at Gujarat coast

Jamnagar, 14 September 2013

Cairn India in collaboration with Forest department and Marine National Park, Jamnagar will develop mangrove plantation in 100 Hectares of coastal land in Sikka Block, Khambaliya and Kalyanpur Block around Jamnagar and Dev Bhoomi Dwarka districts. Cairn has commenced this current drive with the first MOU being signed by Shri R D Kambhoj, Chief Conservator of Forest, Marine National Park and Jagdeep Chhaya, Head – Midstream Projects & Land Acquisition, Cairn at Marine National Park office in Jamnagar on 12 September 2013. Shri M M Bhalodi, Deputy Conservator of Forest, coordinated on behalf of Marine National Park.

In continuation with afforestation drive under Project Shrishti, Cairn India is carrying out green belt development activity in approximately 500 Hectares (1250 Acres) of land covering seven districts of Gujarat, in collaboration with the respective local administration and forest department of the state. Cairn India in association with the Marine National Park officials, District administration and the Forest department undertook this initiative to develop the park area of the coastal belt in both the districts where it would benefit citizens residing on the coastal areas of the state. It has been proved in various studies that Mangrove plantations are very beneficial on a socio economic front.

The State of Gujarat has the longest coastline among other maritime States of India which includes diverse marine flora and fauna. Mangrove forests are one among the most productive ecosystems on this planet and are important features of coastal habitats which are known for its salt tolerant characteristics as well as other tangible and non-tangible benefits to human being. The mangrove ecosystem suffered degradation due to various reasons including natural disasters and human-animal interactions. Mangroves are evergreen trees and shrubs that are well adapted to their salty and swampy habitat. Thus, mangroves are not the only coastal vegetation but more appropriately they are the ecosystem which is vital for the environment as well as for nearby inhabitants.

Mr. Jagdeep Chhaya, Head – Midstream Projects & Land acquisition, Cairn India Limited on this occasion of signing MoU said that “Currently we are engaged in working towards our vision of building a world-class E&P company, where we give the top most priority to highest health, safety and Environment standards. Through focused initiatives that lower our carbon footprint and generate clean energy, we are going beyond ‘just compliance’ with a pro-active approach in our work areas. After successful partnership with our stakeholders in eco-friendly efforts at Banaskantha and Sanand (Nal Sarovar), we are engaging ourselves into yet another kind of its partnership with Marine National Park and Forest Officials to develop Mangrove plantation in coastal belts of our business areas. With immense pleasure, today we signed an MOU for Mangrove Plantation in coastal areas like Sikka Block, Khambaliya and Kalyanpur Block around Jamnagar and Dev Bhoomi Dwarka districts”.

Cairn India is planning similar eco-friendly initiatives in districts like Rajkot, Patan, Bharuch, Surendranagar and Surat post in-principle agreement reached with District Administration.

About Project Shristi

Project Shristi is developed based on successful implementation of Afforestation program in Banaskantha District, where in participation with District Administration and Department of Forest, about 25 Hectare of land was developed. Project Shristi aims to build on the learning’s from this program. Project Shristi envisages similar collaboration with the district administration as well as involvement of specialist for Green Land Development as and when required. Cairn India strives to continually improve environmental performance and all the projects have received environmental clearances. The Nal Sarovar Sanctuary is Gujarat’s largest and one of India’s largest wetland bird sanctuaries. The sanctuary is home to hundreds of species of fauna and flora, and visited by more than 200 varieties of migratory birds in the winter. However in recent times, the sanctuary was languishing and in need of maintenance and up-keep. This gave birth to the Nal Sarovar Project for Cairn India under its green belt initiative in Project Shrishti.

Cairn India in association with the district administration and the forest department undertook this initiative to develop the park area of the sanctuary as well the afforestation of the sanctuary forest, where we are going to develop land of 12.5 hectare land next to Nal sarovar where we have planted more than 6000 saplings in the forest area (8.5 hectare), plan to target 8000 saplings at this location and a Park area for tourists developed with facilities, landscaping and gazebos (4 hectare). Project Shrishti is launched to ensure the Environment awareness about the greener tomorrow amongst people. Further Cairn is committed for green initiative in order to achieve the following:

1. Promoting Bio-diversity

2. Turning Desert into Forest

3. Providing Livelihood support

4. Reduce Carbon Footprint