With an objective of increasing environmental richness and carbon sequestration, HSBC in partnership with BRAC and BEZA has been implementing a project titled “Mangrove Plantation for Climate Mitigation (MPCM) and Alternative Livelihood”. The objective of the project was to create 15 acres of mangrove forest in the allocated land of the economic zone, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar (BSMSN), Mirershorai, Chattogram. As part of the initiative a total of 42,500 mangrove saplings have been planted in the BSMSN area in order to offset 492 tons of GHGs emission yearly and providing ecosystem benefits to the climate vulnerable people.

Total 42,500 saplings have been planted in 17 acres of fenced area. Baen (Avicennia officinalis), Keora (Sonneratia apetala), Gewa (Excoecaria agallocha), Goran (Ceriops decandra) and Kakra (Bruguiera
sexangula), Sundari (Heritiera fomes), and Passur (Xylocarpus mekongensis) have been
planted. The branches of Hargoja (Acanthus ilicifolius) were also planted. The plantation land is a newly accredited sandy land. The land has tidal effects during the monsoon, but during the winter the water level of the river mouth of the river Feni goes down and there in no inundation in the plantation site. The ecological succession process of the plantation has been aided by irrigation, use of organic fertilizer, sawing seeds of Doincha (Sesbania sp.) etc. There is 3 cm average silt layer as topsoil. The mangrove vegetation will prove habitat and breeding ground to many species of fish, crabs and mollusc. The mangrove bush Hargoja (Acanthus ilicifolius) is holy/sacred to many ethnic communities and is associated with new year celebrations.

The saplings for the plantation have been collected from Khulna region since there is no mangrove nursery available near-by. The project has trained 5 community members including 2 females in the process of mangrove nursery formation.

The project has also introduced environmental education among the secondary level student on climate change and importance of mangrove; 10 academic institutions of Mirsorai sub-district of Chattogram district received orientation on climate change and climate action including the importance of mangrove, where 200 boys and girls have participated.

Additional Findings from Research
The site was visited with independent agriculture experts from DOE and the Ashokafunded national awarded NGO, Green Savers.

• 80% of the saplings are reported to still be alive after 1 year. Experts estimated
  that 70% has a good chance to reach adulthood if properly maintained