Planting Hara trees, as bioshields on the coasts, also known as green walls and plant barriers, is currently being developed by the local community in Gujarat, India. These farms consist of both Hara and non-Hara species. Local communities plant Hara trees along the sea, salt-resistant trees in the middle layer, and forage plants in the village areas. These bioshields, introduced as a nature-based solution to climate change, have numerous benefits including carbon sequestration, improving aquaculture and agriculture in coastal villages, and providing access to forage.

Rowlin Kavor narrates his story of visiting these local communities as follows: The endless marsh seemed to be endless. Only the crabs accompanied me as I sank knee-deep into the swamp. The sound of the field guide, who was only 10 feet ahead of me, was drowned out by the wind. There was no way for me to keep up with him. My shoes were useless here. I had thrown them away before. The sturdy reeds were what helped me every time I lost my balance. I had gone to report on their revival and protection, and with every step I took, they confirmed their role in the ecosystem.

Harra trees are coastal protectors. They have many benefits, including preventing erosion, minimizing the impact of storms, restoring ecosystems, sequestering carbon, and providing better nutrition for marine ecosystems. However, we must be mindful that restoring these forests after they are lost is a difficult task.

Although every few meters in this marsh, small pieces of fabric were tied to the plants. Ramsh Kootchia, my guide, said that these mark the walking path of the laborers in the Harra fields. After passing through two kilometers of Harra forests, our path opened up to the bare flower fields. A place where there were no humans, but a multitude of human activities that could revive these areas through nature-based solutions, could be seen.

Around 50 people, mostly women, were digging holes in the marsh to bury black bags containing saplings. Wooden crates made from plastic cans were used to transport the saplings. Some of them were running around with flags to mark the rows, while the women jumped up and down with enthusiasm, digging holes in the marsh to plant the saplings. We arrived at the plantation site in the village of Dozhagan Nada in the Gujarat region at 11 am. The tide had already receded. The workers had only three hours to work before the tide returned.

Ramila Ratod from the village of Asarsa has been working on this land for a year. She travels 12 kilometers by means of transportation to carry goods, and she takes off her shoes at points where no vehicles can pass, and goes to and from the farm daily, covering seven kilometers. During the planting season, Ramila earns 250 rupees per day and has a monthly income of 7500 rupees. She and 30 other people rent a vehicle for 1000 rupees per day to travel to their workplace. She says it’s hard work. The soil is salty, and we have to stand in water for hours, which also causes skin problems. But working on the farm is much better than other jobs.

During the years 2016 to 2019, an experimental project was carried out on a one-kilometer stretch of the Jambusar coast, which was slightly different from salt marsh restoration projects in India. The idea was to build a 50-meter wall of salt-resistant plants, known locally as “pilodi”, along the sea, with a 50-meter buffer of native grasses from Gujarat, followed by the planting of fragrant plants and fruit trees towards the village, forming a series of 180-meter walls. This project was implemented by the VIKAS Development Center, a non-governmental organization based in Ahmedabad, along with their technical arm – the Salt Area Village Environment (SAVE) company – in the village of Tankari, with funding from the Adani Foundation.

Rajesh Shah, CEO of SAVE, says that wetlands, in addition to controlling erosion, support increased fish catch and forage production, while also helping to promote the growth of agricultural products by blocking salty winds. Previously, storms only affected the eastern coasts of India, but recently their frequency has increased. To protect the livelihoods and environmental assets of vulnerable communities on the coasts, there is a critical need for the implementation of adaptation projects. Wetlands are seen as an effective service for building resilience in local communities for this purpose.

Translator’s recommendation:

The topic of establishing bio-shields (or green and plant walls) as a nature-based solution for climate adaptation and resilience is essential for our country, especially since many other countries have already implemented action plans, national laws, and regulations, as well as the emphasis of the Climate Change Convention. This can be achieved through collaboration between the Deputy of Human Environment, Marine Environment, and Natural Environment in the agenda of the Environmental Protection Organization.

Note:

1- This article is taken and translated from a section of an article by Rawlin Kauer entitled “Coastal Communities in Gujarat Create Conservation Reserves with Benefits for the Environment and Livelihoods” published on June 12, 2023.

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