Our members simply hung around the coastal pockets of Nayarambalam and made a straightforward offer to the locals: collect seeds of Bruguiera gymnorhiza (Burmese Mangrove) and Bruguiera cylindrica—two species abundant in the region—and we would pay ₹1 per seed.
When we returned, locals handed over the seeds they had gathered and were paid on the spot. They were happy, but we realized this was only a starting point. ₹1 per seed wasn’t going to build long-term economic independence.
Grassroute has assisted Sustera Foundation to plant about 100 Mangrove saplings at the boundaries of I.B. Manoj’s Fruit Forest located at Ayyampilly, Kerala. This is the first joint Mangrove planting project between both the organisations. Hopefully there are many other similar projects that are yet to be announced.
On the second week of April, the Ward Member, Nayarambalam Panchayath, Mrs Beena Jagadeeshan inaugurated the Grassroute Mangrove Nursery. Students from various schools and colleges were present to witness the event. Some native people also attended the ceremony. It was a pride moment for Team Grassroute fulfilling a dream job.
Today marked an important milestone as we successfully completed the cutting of bamboo poles. Looking ahead, our focus will shift towards the next phase of our journey. In the days to come, we will diligently fill the bamboo pots with nutrient-rich soil and organic fertilizers, preparing the perfect environment for planting the precious Mangrove seeds.