Coverage of coastal climate action in Gujarat spurs international recognition and funding

10 Oct 2025

In Gujarat, India, a community-led initiative to build coastal ‘bioshields’ – plantings of mangrove and non-mangrove tree and plant species – has gained international recognition, and Mongabay’s coverage played a pivotal role in that. The team’s reporting spotlighted this climate adaptation strategy, which helped attract critical resources and awards for the organizations behind the effort.

In June 2023, Mongabay India published a report by journalist Ravleen Kaur, documenting the multi-species mangrove restoration efforts led by VIKAS Centre for Development and its technical arm, Saline Area Vitalisation Enterprise Ltd. (SAVE). The story traced the evolution of the bioshield model, which began in the village of Tankari and scaled up along an 18 km (11 miles) stretch of Gujarat’s coastline.

This model integrates planting of mangrove and non-mangrove species – with mangroves on the sea side and salt-resistant trees in the middle and fodder plants on the village side – to create a buffer against storm surges, erosion, and salty sea winds that harm crops. Local workers, including women and marginalized local communities such as the Rathods, were employed to carry out the planting work.

A sapling nursery that supplies the project. Photo by Ravleen Kaur/Mongabay.
A sapling nursery that supplies the project. Photo by Ravleen Kaur/Mongabay.

Touted as a nature-based solution to climate change, bioshields have multiple benefits including carbon sequestration, improvement of aquaculture and agriculture in coastal villages and fodder availability. Beyond the ecological benefits, farmers also reported improved yields due to reduced intrusion of saline water onto croplands, and fishers noted improved populations of crabs and fish thriving in the improved habitat.

Impact

Following publication, the article contributed to greater visibility for the bioshield initiative among key stakeholders, including NGOs, government agencies, academics, and investors. This increased attention helped drive new partnerships, financial support, and recognition at national and international levels.

According to Rajesh Shah, SAVE’s Managing Director, Mongabay’s article gave the project much needed visibility and credibility. He emphasized that the story helped the project gain the trust of multiple sectors, which was an important factor in securing support.

“Professionals in the NGO, government, academic and investment sectors consider Mongabay a respected website,” Shah said. “The appearance of our project gave additional credibility and visibility, leading to flow of resources.” 

The project’s increased funding stemmed from corporate social responsibility efforts of companies through the India Climate Collaborative, such as EY Global Delivery Services and Make My Trip, and from international carbon finance companies such as Goodcarbon GmbH, said Shah, aiding the project’s expansion.

“To date, under the project Great Green Wall of Gujarat, VIKAS and SAVE has covered 3,000 hectares (7,413 acres) of mangroves through local community leadership,” he said.

Apart from further financial support, the initiative was then given platforms at the COP28 and COP29 meetings of the UN climate treaty, with major recognition coming at the latter convening, where Shah was featured as an Impact Maker by the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions, which mobilizes action from businesses and civil society. The recognition came specifically for his contributions to the Great Green Wall of Gujarat and bioshield initiative.

Shah’s awards continued when he received the prestigious Hasmukh Shah Memorial Award for Ecological Studies 2024. Looking ahead, he emphasized the importance of ensuring community benefits beyond planting: “We have initiated a post plantation livelihoods initiative in Jambusar Taluka where we have completed 1,500 hectares (3,706 acres) of mangroves plantation.”

The Gujarat bioshield project demonstrates how nature-based solutions can strengthen resilience of coastlines while supporting local livelihoods and restoring ecosystems. Mongabay’s reporting brought national and global visibility to this local initiative, helping Shah and his team secure the connections and funding needed to expand its scale and impact. In doing so, it demonstrated how independent environmental journalism can inform and amplify grassroots solutions to the climate crisis.

Support independent environmental journalism

If you are interested in helping shed light on conservation issues such as this, there are two excellent ways you can do so with Mongabay. First, consider making a donation, which directly helps us continue to produce high-impact journalism from nature’s frontline. Second, subscribe to Mongabay’s newsletter to get the latest environmental news delivered right to your inbox, and share whatever articles move you with friends and family.

About Mongabay

Mongabay is a nonprofit environmental science and conservation news platform focused on providing original, reliable, and independent journalism from nature’s frontline. We pride ourselves on producing reporting that has substantial and tangible impacts around the world.

Banner image: Saplings growing in a nursery at Jambusar. Photo by Ravleen Kaur/Mongabay.