ITC Ltd strengthens coastal ecology through mangrove conservation

As the world marks International Day for Biological Diversity, under the theme ‘Acting Locally for Global Impact’, ITC’s large-scale and integrated biodiversity conservation initiatives demonstrate how grassroots action can deliver impactful ecological outcomes, build climate resilience and support livelihood creation.

ITC has integrated biodiversity conservation within its large-scale sustainability programme spanning water stewardship, forestry and climate-smart agriculture, among others. ITC’s biodiversity programme in collaboration with State Governments cumulatively covers nearly 7.8 lakh acres across 10 states in India till date and the aim is to cover 1 million acres under the initiative by 2030, as a part of its Sustainability 2.0 agenda.

As part of its integrated biodiversity conservation programme, ITC spearheaded a unique initiative in Andhra Pradesh that spans mangrove restoration and sea turtle hatchling conservation, demonstrating the impact of community-led ecological interventions. India’s coastal ecosystems are increasingly vulnerable to climate change consequences such as cyclones, sea level rise, saline intrusion and coastal flooding.

Mangroves act as one of the most effective nature-based solutions to develop coastal resilience, creating a natural shield against these challenges. Globally recognised as blue carbon ecosystems, mangroves store nearly 7.5-10 times more carbon per acre than tropical forests, making them critical in climate mitigation efforts. India’s mangroves support over 4,000 species, including 920 plant and 3,090+ animal species, as biodiversity hotspots.

Mr.  Prabhakar Lingareddy, Executive Vice President and Head - Social Investments at ITC Limited, said, “The theme of this year’s International Day of Biological Diversity reinforces our belief that global environmental goals can only be achieved through strong local action and deep community participation. By working closely with communities, Government institutions and partners, our objective is to meaningfully contribute to creating scalable, nature-based solutions that not only protect vulnerable ecosystems but also secure sustainable futures for millions who are dependent on the ecological balance.”