Community-Based Mangrove Conservation Programme.

The Problem

The devastation of mangrove and wetlands because the construction of the refinery, the oil spills in coastal areas have provoked the degradation of the mangrove ecosystem, a natural blue carbon ecosystem that protect Paraiso, Tabasco from flood and provide a likelihood for villagers. The coastal rural communities of Paraiso, Tabasco depend on mangrove ecosystems for their livelihoods, including fishing, tourism, and traditional practices. However, the mangroves face threats from deforestation, pollution, and climate change impacts.

The Solution

To safeguard these vital ecosystems and encourage sustainable management, a proactive solution emerges: the implementation of a transformative socio-environmental governmental programme dedicated to conserving the precious mangrove ecosystems while simultaneously uplifting the livelihoods of rural communities. socio-environmental programme for mangrove ecosystem conservation whilst simultaneously enhancing the livelihood in rural communities. To ensure the suceed of this programme, a well-structured policy benchmark is essential. This benchmark will serve as a compelling incentive, urging oil and gas industries to reallocate a significant portion of their corporate social responsibility budgets to support this critical governmental initiative. By redirecting their resources towards mangrove ecosystem conservation, these industries can play a pivotal role in safeguarding nature and positively impacting the lives of local communities.

By creating a clear and well-defined roadmap and partnership between Government, Villagers and Oil and Gas Enterprises, Government can introduce a groundbreaking Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) Programme through a Community-Based Mangrove Conservation with Villagers. Through this innovative initiative, the community would be rewarded with essential subsidies for their tireless efforts in diligently safeguarding and nurturing the mangrove ecosystems.

On the other hand, by developing and implementing a blue carbon offseting project for enterprises in Paraiso, Tabasco.

This programme consists on restore and plant the first 5,000 hectares of mangrove for the following 5 years, to help fish farmers, clean water, protect erosion coastal areas and boost blue carbon sequestration potential of coastal ecosystems. By engaging with local communities in mangrove restoration efforts. Create programs that provide training and employment opportunities to locals in planting and maintaining mangrove forests. This approach fosters a sense of ownership and ensures the long-term success of restoration projects.

1. Baseline Assessment:

The government can conduct a baseline assessment to determine the current state of the mangrove ecosystems, including their ecological health and economic value to the community. By assesing the various ecosystem services provided by the mangroves, such as carbon sequestration, fisheries support, coastal protection, and ecotourism potential. The value of these services is quantified in monetary terms. This assement could be assesed by doing a fast drone-based monitoring and planting with specialised sensors to monitor the health of existing mangrove forests and identify areas for restoration. This service is affordable in the market, faster and more accurate than the traditional one. And it is available in Mexico.

2. Educational Awareness:

The government can work closely with the local community to raise awareness and educate population about the importance of mangrove restoration and conservation. Capacity-building workshops are organised to equip villagers with knowledge and skills for sustainable mangrove management. Conduct educational programs and awareness campaigns to promote understanding of blue carbon ecosystems, the importance of mangrove conservation, and the benefits of carbon offset projects.

3. Community Engagement and Capacity Building:

Involve local communities in the restoration process, ensuring their participation and benefit-sharing can foster sustainable livelihood opportunities, such as eco-tourism or sustainable aquaculture, to support community well-being and reduce pressures on mangrove ecosystems.

3. Development of Conservation Agreements:

Conservation agreements are developed in collaboration with villagers. These agreements outline the responsibilities and activities that the community will undertake to protect the mangroves.

4. Establishment of PES Payment Ecosystem Service Mechanism:

A PES mechanism is set up, wherein the government allocates a certain budget for subsidising the community's efforts in mangrove conservation. The amount of subsidy is determined based on the ecosystem services' valuation and the expected impact of the community's conservation activities.

5. Mangrove Nurseries for incentivise fishing.

There are a selection of mangrove species, where native mangrove species that are well-adapted to the local environmental conditions are preferred for optimal success. After that, establish mangrove nurseries leading by villagers, can produce a large number of mangrove saplings. These nurseries can supply saplings for restoration projects and these mangrove structures can be strategically deployed in the coastal areas that have experienced mangrove loss due to human activities or natural events. They new mangroves would serve as nursery habitats for juvenile fish and other marine organisms, providing shelter and protection from predators. The structures would also help filter water and sequester carbon, contributing to improved water quality and climate change mitigation. As the fish populations increase, local fishers would benefit from increased catch opportunities, supporting sustainable fishing practices.

6. Transplanting mangrove.

Mangrove saplings are propagated in nurseries to ensure a sufficient supply of healthy and genetically diverse plants for reforestation efforts. These saplings are nurtured until they are ready for transplantation. Once the mangrove saplings are ready, they are transplanted into the degraded areas. The planting process involves carefully placing the saplings in the intertidal zones where they can take root and establish themselves.

7. Monitoring and Reporting:

The villagers regularly monitors and reports on their conservation efforts, such as reforestation, waste management, and sustainable fishing practices. The government verifies the reported data to ensure transparency and accountability.

8. Payment Distribution:

Based on the verified data, the government provides regular payments to the community as a reward for their successful mangrove conservation activities. These payments serve as an incentive for continued commitment to sustainable management practices.

Community Benefits and Livelihood Improvement of implementing this programme:

The subsidies received by the community contribute to improving their livelihoods. The funds can be used for income-generating projects, education, healthcare, or other community development initiatives.

The PES program operates on a long-term basis, encouraging sustained mangrove conservation efforts over time. The program's success is measured by improvements in ecosystem health and increased community resilience.

Theory of Change at a glance.

• Governement asses and determine the current state of mangroove ecosystem.

• Goverment educate villagers in mangrove restoration and conservation.

• Government raise wareness in Tabasco's population the impoartance of restore, preserve and protect our mangrove ecosystem in the coastal areas of Paraiso, Tabasco.

• Government can lead a fundraising campaign between private sector, moslty oil and gas enterprises, manufacture industry and construction industry.

• Government offer the subisidies to villagers, one villager per family house for start.

• Villagers work together to protect the mangrove ecosystem.

Potential Outcomes.

• Improve the mangrove ecosystem health and resilience due to sustainable management practices by the community.

• Enhance livelihoods and well-being of the local community through financial incentives from the PES program.

• Increase awareness and engagement of the community in environmental conservation, fostering a sense of ownership over the mangrove ecosystems.

• Long-term sustainability of the PES program, leading to continued protection and preservation of the mangroves for future generations.

Potentially if this programme succed, the villagers commons cooperative living in the coastal areas can achieve a Carbon Capture Certification under the protocol of Mexico Forest Protocol Climate Action Reserve as the first certified mangrove reserve. So, they can sell this credit through a Blue Carbon Offset Platform that in the next idea of "Blue Carbon" we are going to explain.

Is it possible to revive the mangroves affected by fires and the oil industry?

A case of success in Africa

A case of sucess in Indonesia