Mumbai, July 26, 2024: Godrej & Boyce, part of the Godrej Enterprises Group, has launched the fifth phase of its campaign to conserve the mangrove ecosystem in the coastal states.
The 5th phase was launched in association with WWF India on The International Day for the Conservation of the Mangroves Ecosystem. Launched in 2020, the initiative has onboarded 190 volunteers and empowered 34,630 people across 7 states through over 460 webinars, on-ground initiatives, and social media campaigns.
The organization has been conserving hundreds of acres of mangroves along the Vikhroli and Thane creek coastline in Mumbai for over 30 years.
The Magical Mangroves campaign has been instrumental in raising awareness about the critical importance of mangrove ecosystems. Through a series of educational workshops, interactive quizzes, and nature trails, the initiative has engaged local communities and empowered them with knowledge about mangroves' role in coastal protection and biodiversity support.
Looking ahead, the partnership aims to empower a cumulative total of 51,000 people by FY25 through continued educational outreach and conservation initiatives. With a shared vision of promoting sustainable practices and protecting biodiversity, Godrej & Boyce and WWF-India remain dedicated to driving positive change in coastal communities across India.
Commenting on this initiative, Tejashree Joshi, Head of Environmental Sustainability, Godrej & Boyce, said, “Mangrove ecosystems are crucial for coastal protection, supporting diverse wildlife, and acting as significant carbon sinks. Their role in coastal communities’ life is incomparable. We are ecstatic to continue with our Magical Mangroves initiative in partnership with WWF India. In the 5th phase, we aim to strengthen our outreach by empowering 95 volunteers across 07 states - with more educational workshops and community engagement programmes. With WWF-India, we have reached broader audiences and implemented impactful conservation initiatives. The community awareness and engagement have always resulted in successful nature conservation.”
Godrej & Boyce has been conserving the Vikhroli mangroves in Mumbai since generations. The company has taken numerous initiatives to create awareness about mangrove conservation through protection, restoration, biodiversity management, and community engagement initiatives. They also support research and implement sustainable practices to ensure the ecosystem's health.
Farmeen Mistry, State Coordinator at WWF-India, highlighted the campaign's impact, stating, "The fifth phase of our campaign focuses on enhancing community engagement and empowering local volunteers as Mangrove Ambassadors. These efforts are crucial in building a sustainable future where mangroves play a pivotal role in mitigating climate change impacts."
The partnership with WWF-India has been instrumental in providing the scientific expertise and on-ground volunteer support necessary for the success of this campaign. Godrej & Boyce has taken various initiatives in mangroves conservation including developing Asia's first mangrove-focused mobile app, available in 11 languages, and creating a children's book titled 'Many Secrets of Mangroves' in English and Marathi, in collaboration with author Katie Bagli. Additionally, they have set up a bilingual website and organized poster exhibitions at educational institutions to raise awareness about the importance of mangrove conservation.
