THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR/GANJAM, JUNE 17, 2026

 “ECRICC reflects the kind of integrated, community-driven solutions that are essential for building long-term climate resilience,” observed Green Climate Fund (GCF) Regional Manager for East and South Asia, Diane Jegam, during a field review of the Enhancing Climate Resilience of India’s Coastal Communities (ECRICC) project in Odisha’s Ganjam district. The visit underscored the project’s growing impact in restoring fragile coastal ecosystems while creating sustainable, climate-resilient livelihood opportunities for vulnerable communities across the state’s coastline.

A delegation from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) visited Ganjam district to review the progress of the ECRICC project. The mission toured interventions across the Chilika–Ganjam and Bahuda landscapes to assess how ecosystem restoration and climate-resilient livelihood initiatives are enhancing the adaptive capacity of vulnerable coastal communities.

The visiting delegation comprised Diane Jegam, Regional Manager, East and South Asia, Green Climate Fund, and Dr. Bapon Fakhruddin, Principal Climate Investment Specialist, Green Climate Fund. During the visit, the delegation met Prem Kumar Jha, State Project Director, ECRICC Odisha and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), to discuss the progress and implementation of the project in the state.

Speaking on the occasion, Prem Kumar Jha, State Project Director, ECRICC, said, “Odisha’s coastline is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including cyclones, tidal surges, coastal erosion and flooding. At the same time, it presents significant opportunities to strengthen resilience through ecosystem restoration and community-led adaptation. Through ECRICC, we are supporting vulnerable coastal communities across Ganjam, Puri, Kendrapara and Balasore. We are pleased to welcome the Green Climate Fund delegation to witness these efforts first-hand on the ground.”

The delegation reviewed several field interventions implemented under the project, including backyard ornamental fisheries units, seagrass restoration, mangrove plantations, seaweed farming and grow-out crab culture. A key highlight of the visit was an interaction with Climate Champions—grassroots leaders identified and nurtured under the ECRICC project to promote climate-resilient practices within their communities.

 “ECRICC reflects the kind of integrated, community-driven solutions that are essential for building long-term climate resilience. By aligning ecosystem restoration with sustainable livelihoods, the project is not only reducing vulnerability but also creating pathways for inclusive and scalable adaptation across coastal regions,” said Jegam.

In Ganjam, the ECRICC project spans four blocks, 40 Gram Panchayats and 191 villages, benefiting around 50,000 households, including 5,000 direct beneficiaries mobilised through 250 Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

Sunny Khokhar, Divisional Forest Officer, Brahmapur Forest Division-cum-Nodal Officer, ECRICC Project, Ganjam, who accompanied the delegation, said, “Across the Chilika–Ganjam and Bahuda landscapes, ECRICC is restoring critical coastal ecosystems through interventions such as mangrove and seagrass restoration, seaweed farming, System of Rice Intensification, grow-out crab culture and backyard ornamental fisheries, while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities. The contribution of our Climate Champions is equally important, as they mobilise communities, foster local ownership and drive climate adaptation efforts at the grassroots.”

Among others, Dr. Sundeep, National Project Coordinator, ECRICC; Sisir Kumar Mishra, Deputy Conservator of Forest, ECRICC; Amlan Nayak, DFO, Chilika; and Aishath Azza, Regional Technical Specialist–Climate Change Adaptation, UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub, along with officials from the State and District Project Management Units, were present during the visit.