Mangrove Research in Indian sub-continent: Recent Advances, Knowledge Gaps and Future Perspectives

Overview

Conservation and restoration of coastal ecosystems, including tidal salt marshes, seagrass meadows and mangrove forests (collectively called blue carbon (BC) ecosystems), offer excellent opportunities around nature-based solutions for climate mitigation and adaptation. The purpose of this three-day workshop is to serve as a knowledge exchange platform where advances and trends in mangrove research within Indian subcontinent will be discussed and information gaps will be identified. This webinar will allow interactions between mangrove researchers and help forge new partnerships and research collaborations among individuals and institutions for advancing mangrove scientific research in India.

Background

The significance of mangroves in maintaining coastal biodiversity, livelihoods, and mitigating climate change is widely recognized. The amplified awareness about the mangroves in India can be evidenced from the sharp increase in the number of peer-reviewed research publications over the past decade, especially on ecosystem services, carbon sequestration, and threats to mangroves. The growing interest in mangroves also provides an opportunity to address knowledge gaps through state of art techniques and multi-institutional collaborations, which will advance the understanding and management of Indian mangroves.

Goal and objectives

The goal of this online workshop is to bring together active mangrove researchers from academic and research institutions, government agencies and state entities to showcase the latest research findings from mangrove ecosystems within India. The discussions and deliberations will help in knowledge exchange and identifying future research directions. It will also help in identifying research priorities and possible approaches to address existing issues vis a vis mangrove conservation and management in the country.

Programme

A three-day virtual workshop (combined duration ~ 9 hours) is planned during 8 – 10 Dec, 2021 to allow exchange of knowledge among participants, facilitators and resource persons. This three-day event will focus on one thematic area each day. There will be one keynote speaker, two research talks and a panel discussion.

Day 1. Mangroves as nature-based solutions to climate change: Carbon sequestration, biophysical attributes and climate mitigation.
Day 2. Mangroves for coastal resilience and biodiversity conservation: Climate adaptation, safeguarding coastal ecology and human well-being.
Day 3. Recent advances in mangrove research and future perspectives: Regional and Indian mangrove research and opportunities to address existing gaps.

Early and mid-career researchers with active research focussed on India will be encouraged to share their new findings and its impacts. Seasoned academicians, conservationists and policy makers will be invited to share their experiences in a panel discussion.

This event will be conducted in English.

Contacts: Rupesh Bhomia (R.Bhomia@cgiar.org), Nehru Prabakaran (nehrup@wii.gov.in)

Agenda

Opening

Speaker

Rupesh Bhomia

Scientist, Climate Change & Low Carbon Development Theme, CIFOR-ICRAF

Inaugural address

Speaker

Dhananjai Mohan

Director, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun

Welcome addres

Speaker

Ravi Prabhu

Director Innovation, Investment and Impact, CIFOR-ICRAF

Keynote 1: Blue carbon stocks in mangrove forests of Eastern India

View presentation

Speaker

Kakoli Banerjee

Assistant Professor, Founding Head in the Department of Biodiversity and Conservation of Natural Resources, Central University of Odisha, Landiguda, Koraput