Published Paper Details:

The Sundarbans, located in the deltaic region of West Bengal, India, is a critical ecological zone and the mangrove forest in this region act as a natural defense against cyclonic hazards emanating from the Bay of Bengal. Mangrove forests in this region serve as a vital buffer, dissipating wave energy, mitigating storm surges, and reducing coastal erosion. Mangroves also can act as a carbon sink by capturing and storing atmospheric carbon di oxide in the coastal mudflats. Thus carbon stored in coastal ecosystems is known as blue carbon. Due to their high carbon sequestration capabilities, mangroves are considered an important element to mitigate climate change. This study focuses on Chargheri settlement of Satjalia Island, a cyclone-prone region within the Sundarbans, to assess the role of mangrove plantations in environmental protection and community resilience. Using field surveys, interviews with local residents, and secondary data, the study highlights the significant contributions of mangrove restoration projects in reducing the impacts of cyclones such as Aila (2009), Amphan (2020), and Yaas (2021). The findings demonstrate that mangrove plantations not only mitigate physical damage but also enhance biodiversity and provide economic benefits through improved livelihoods. The present study focuses on the participatory approaches of the locals and also on the restoration of sustainable practices to harness the full potential of mangroves to reduce disaster risks in the coastal regions.