Pic Credit: Pexel
Puri, June 5: On World Environment Day 2026, coastal conservationist Soumya Ranjan Biswal, known for his grassroots work in mangrove restoration in Odisha, has called for stronger community participation in protecting fragile coastal ecosystems.
Biswal, who has worked for over a decade on mangrove plantation and marine conservation efforts, said rising climate risks such as cyclones, sea-level rise, and biodiversity loss highlight the urgent need to restore natural coastal barriers.
Through his initiative Odisha Paryavaran Sanrakshan Abhiyan (OPSA), he and local communities have planted over 2.8 lakh mangrove saplings and reached more than 1.5 lakh people through awareness programmes across coastal Odisha, including Puri, Chilika, and the Devi River mouth region.
He said mangroves act as a “natural shield” for coastal villages, protecting lives, livelihoods, and biodiversity. “We are not just planting trees—we are rebuilding protection for our future,” he said.
Biswal has also announced an ambitious “Million Mangroves by 2030” mission to restore one million mangroves along Odisha’s coastline and strengthen climate resilience in vulnerable regions.
Environmental observers say such community-led initiatives are playing a crucial role in complementing larger conservation and climate adaptation efforts.
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