Our recent planting endeavour within the BPCL campus marked our second phase of mangrove restoration with the company. Grassroute was invited in late October 2023, for a site visit Grassroute undertook the task of nurturing 100 mangrove saplings across two BPCL-assigned areas: the STF area, Puthuvypu and the Sand Bank Island Jetty. We diligently placed 100 Asiatic mangrove (Rhizophora mucronata) saplings in these locations alongside some Oriental mangrove (Bruguiera gymnorrhiza) saplings.
This project was a follow-up to our previous efforts in November 2022, specifically within BPCL’s STF area, an essential component of the Kerala State Government’s mandated mangrove restoration initiative. Government regulations dictated the modest number of 100 saplings. However, the potential for a more substantial plantation loomed large – the STF area alone could have accommodated over 1000 saplings. Our team planted just 76 saplings in the STF area and 26 at Sand Bank Island, with the hands-on support of five dedicated volunteers. Given the high-security nature of the site, expanding volunteer participation posed challenges. Unlike our previous planting in the STF area, the conditions were optimal this time, giving us confidence in the survival of each sapling.
Exciting prospects arose during our discussions, contemplating further mangrove plantations across suitable BPCL areas in collaboration with fellow Eco Restoration Activist groups on the upcoming World Wetlands Day.
Planting mangroves within such campuses liks BPCL’s offers a crucial advantage – their safeguarding from external threats. With stringent security measures in place, access for external individuals is strictly regulated. This ensures the saplings receive optimal security and protection within the campus premises. Moving forward, we aim to expand our planting efforts in the years to come.
Mr. Shubham Khatri, Chief Manager (Project Technical)
K.K. Reghuraj, a Grassroute mentor and Retired Farm Superintendent from KUFOS, guided the volunteers in the planting session. Remarkably, our work concluded within a mere couple of hours.
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