By: Staff Writer
October 13, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is set to restore 10,000 hectares of mangroves by 2030 through a collaborative initiative involving the Ministry of Crab restaurant and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This effort is part of the Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded Small Grants Programme (SGP) in the Mannar Landscape, which aims to empower local communities to engage in mangrove restoration over an 18-month period.
Mangroves are crucial for Sri Lanka’s economy and climate resilience, but they face significant threats from climate change and pollution. To address this, a large-scale initiative to increase the country’s mangrove cover by over 50% has been recognized as one of seven UN World Restoration Flagships. The project focuses on mangrove propagation, reforestation, and protection, involving local communities and grassroots organizations.
To kick off the initiative, Chef Dharshan Munidasa, founder of Ministry of Crab, and Azusa Kubota, UNDP Resident Representative in Sri Lanka, signed a letter of agreement. The project will collaborate with two local organizations, the Human Development Organization (HDO) and WeCAN, to plant 1,000 mangrove plants. The community will form youth groups to maintain and monitor the mangroves, create tree bands on saline land, and establish a plant nursery.
Mangrove forests are vital to Sri Lanka’s ecosystem, acting as a natural defense against coastal erosion and storm surges, and absorbing up to five times more carbon than traditional forests. They also play a significant role in improving water quality and providing livelihoods for coastal communities. By protecting these ecosystems, the project aims to strengthen the resilience of these communities, promote sustainable fishing and agriculture, and ensure a healthier environment.
Chef Munidasa highlighted the importance of mangroves to the Ministry of Crab’s mission and the broader ecosystem that sustains Sri Lanka’s iconic mud crabs. He emphasized the need for community and corporate involvement to preserve these natural resources and heritage.
Ministry of Crab has a strong commitment to sustainability, emphasizing responsible seafood sourcing practices. The restaurant has partnered with local suppliers who follow sustainable practices and supported the livelihoods of fishing communities. In line with this, the recent introduction of the “Mud Crab Fishery Management Regulations, 2024” by Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Fisheries aims to regulate mud crab harvesting and promote sustainability.
The mangrove restoration project in the Mannar Landscape also includes initiatives like zero plastic awareness training, waste management, soil and water conservation, and support for women-led enterprises. These efforts aim to build stronger, more environmentally conscious communities.
Azusa Kubota of UNDP praised the partnership, noting that the GEF-funded SGP initiative exemplifies the concept of “thinking globally, acting locally.” She emphasized the importance of community-based action in balancing human needs with environmental sustainability and expressed hope for more private sector involvement in these restoration efforts.
Ministry of Crab is dedicated to community building, with proceeds from its merchandise sales going directly to support these restoration projects, demonstrating its commitment to driving positive change at the grassroots level.
