AQUAMAP

Develop silvo-pisciculture to stop
the erosion of mangroves, major reservoirs of blue carbon.

The AquaMAP project

CONTEXT AND MAIN ISSUES

The Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove swamp, stretches across India and Bangladesh. Listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, this region, rich in biodiversity, is nevertheless suffering the devastating effects of climate change, notably rising sea levels and the rapid erosion of its mangroves. This erosion threatens not only biodiversity, but also local communities, who are exposed to extreme climatic phenomena due to the loss of this barrier ecosystem.

GOALS

Develop silvopisciculture and use bioinspired sediment capture techniques to protect and restore mangroves, contributing to their stabilization and the resilience of local communities in the face of climate change.

METHOD

This project combines two complementary approaches: the creation of natural buffer zones conducive to sediment deposition, and the development of silvopisciculture, where fish aquaculture in the mangrove will promote ecosystem regeneration. These protected areas, managed by local communities, will promote mangrove restoration and carbon capture while supporting local livelihoods.

HOW IS THIS PROJECT INNOVATIVE?

The innovation is based on a systemic vision of ecological restoration. Rather than applying a single solution, this project combines digital mapping, ecological infrastructure and citizen participation to optimize natural sediment stabilization and water purification processes. This integrated framework could be replicated in other deltas weakened by erosion and pollution.