Recognition by FAO
Sundarbans Aquaculture Model Gains Global FAO Recognition: The Sustainable Aquaculture in Mangrove Ecosystems (SAIME) model, developed by the Nature Environment and Wildlife Society (NEWS), has received Global Technical Recognition from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This recognition highlights India’s growing role in promoting sustainable and ecosystem-based aquaculture practices. The SAIME initiative is an important step toward integrating livelihood generation with climate conservation in fragile ecosystems.
The SAIME Initiative
The SAIME initiative is a Multi-Stakeholder Partnership (MSP) designed to transform shrimp farming into a sustainable, climate-adaptive practice. In the Sundarbans region, it aims to build a resilient aquaculture model that combines brackish water farming with the conservation of mangrove habitats. The model focuses on the black tiger shrimp, a native species suited for the region’s brackish water, ensuring ecological balance and income stability for local farmers.
Ecosystem-Based and Climate-Adaptive Approach
The SAIME model integrates mangrove restoration into aquaculture systems, promoting blue carbon sequestration and protecting coastal ecosystems from climate impacts. It also enhances carbon sink capacity, helping mitigate emissions while maintaining biodiversity. The initiative empowers farmers through capacity building, providing training in sustainable methods and promoting eco-certification and branding for fair trade.
Static GK fact: The concept of blue carbon refers to carbon captured by the world’s oceanic and coastal ecosystems, including mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes.
Funding and Implementation Partners
The project is supported by the Global Nature Fund (GNF) in collaboration with Naturland e.V. and Mercedes-Benz. This collaboration demonstrates the importance of public–private partnerships in advancing environmental sustainability. By operationalizing Integrated Mangrove Aquaculture (IMA), the initiative promotes low-density shrimp farming without external feed inputs, ensuring minimal ecological disturbance.
Static GK Tip: The FAO, established in 1945, is a specialized UN agency headquartered in Rome, Italy, dedicated to defeating hunger and promoting sustainable agriculture worldwide.
About the Sundarbans
The Sundarbans mangrove forest lies in the delta formed by the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers, on the Bay of Bengal. This unique ecosystem spans across India and Bangladesh and is home to the Royal Bengal Tiger. The Indian part of the Sundarbans is in West Bengal, which holds the highest mangrove cover in India (42.45%), followed by Gujarat (23.66%) and Andaman & Nicobar Islands (12.39%), according to ISFR 2023.
Static GK fact: The Sundarbans Reserve Forest is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest mangrove ecosystems in the world, covering approximately 10,000 sq km across both countries.
Broader Impact
Through SAIME, India demonstrates how climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and livelihood generation can coexist. The model’s recognition by FAO signals a shift toward nature-based aquaculture, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water).
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Sundarbans Aquaculture Model Gains Global FAO Recognition:
| Topic | Detail |
| Initiative Name | Sustainable Aquaculture in Mangrove Ecosystems (SAIME) |
| Recognizing Body | Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) |
| Implementing Agency | Nature Environment and Wildlife Society (NEWS) |
| Funding Partners | Global Nature Fund, Naturland e.V., Mercedes-Benz |
| Core Species | Black tiger shrimp |
| Key Practice | Integrated Mangrove Aquaculture (IMA) |
| Major Ecosystem | Sundarbans mangrove forest, West Bengal |
| India’s Total Mangrove Cover | 4,991.68 sq km (0.15% of total area) |
| Highest Mangrove State | West Bengal (42.45%) |
| International Recognition | FAO Global Technical Recognition, 2025 |
