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Green Action for National Dandi Heritage Initiative

(GANDHI)

The village of Dandi has not only a historical significance relating to the Dandi march but also is very important a location from the point of view of ecological conservation. It therefore, becomes imperative to preserve a village with so valuable a historical heritage, from adverse and fast changing tidal patterns and cyclonic conditions. The Ministry of Environment & Forests in collaboration with the Society for Integrated Coastal Zone Management and aided by the Gujarat Ecology Commission has undertaken the project for development of a green memorial at Dandi.

Goals

A Project for the Overall Development and Conservation of the Environment of Dandi and its surrounding villages based on Gandhian Teachings on Environmental Conservation and Village Development

Objectives

Contribute towards increased understanding and acceptance of the need to protect, conserve and regenerate coastal natural resources by local communities and the government

Project at a Glance

Start Date	7th July, 2010	End Date	NA
Cost	INR 2431.15 lakhs	Funding Agency	Ministry of Environment   Forests, Government of India
Implementing agencies	Society for Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM) Gujarat Ecology Commission (GEC)
Components	Conservation of the Coast and Coastal ResourcesAdopting Nature-based Development of ResourcesPromoting Integrated Village and Community Development Promoting Eco-Tourism and "Environment-Positive" Branding of Destination Dandi
Goal	Contribute towards increased understanding and acceptance of the need to protect, conserve and regenerate coastal natural resources by local communities and the government Contribute towards capacity building of coastal communities and government for community based bio-shield creation Enhance the socio-economic conditions of the communities situated in and around the Dandi coastal belt.Prepare and implement the integrated environment management plan for Dandi and surrounding villages situated on the coastal belt Maintain historical value of Mahatma Gandhi and to promote Gandhian ideology on environmentPromote eco-tourism for the betterment of local communities
Contact	SICOM/GEC

Contribute towards capacity building of coastal communities and government for community based bio-shield creation Enhance the socio-economic conditions of the communities situated in and around the Dandi coastal belt.

Prepare and implement the integrated environment management plan for Dandi and surrounding villages situated on the coastal belt Maintain historical value of Mahatma Gandhi and to promote Gandhian ideology on environment Promote eco-tourism for the betterment of local communities

Issues and Causes

The village of Dandi has not only a historical significance relating to the Dandi march but also is very important a location from the point of view of ecological conservation. It therefore, becomes imperative to preserve a village with so valuable a historical heritage, from adverse and fast changing tidal patterns and cyclonic conditions.

Currently, the village of Dandi is facing severe salinity problems due to high tidal influence, the impact of which can be seen in the transformation of fertile agricultural land into high salinity areas. There is therefore a need for conservation of Dandi by adopting natural biological methods of preservation.

Not only is Dandi facing the looming prospect of losing its fertile agricultural land to increased soil salinity, it is also prone to natural disasters in the form of a flurry of cyclones and storms. It therefore, is of utmost importance to create a bio-shield to protect the Dandi shoreline and the resident coastal communities from such untoward events.

Photo Gallery

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Mangrove plantation being carried out in Dandi

Video Gallery

Mangrove plantation being carried out in Dandi

Intangible Benefits:

• Enrichment of bio-diversity
• Reduction of coastal erosion
• Protection against natural calamities like cyclone, hurricane, tsunami, etc

Tangible Benefits

• Increased livelihood opportunity through plantation and regeneration activities
• Increased fodder availability for the livelistock rearers through alternative resource creation
• The increase in mangrove area will also help the fisherman community by way of enhanced fishery resources in the near shore waters
• Easy access to fuel wood and timber through sustainable mangrove harvest
• Ownership feeling of project and idea
• Benefit through tourism activities which will help socio-economic conditions
• Creation of micro and small enterprises that can empower the community