West Bengal
FAO Honours SAIME Model
- 23 Oct 2025
- 2 min read
Why in News?
The Nature Environment and Wildlife Society (NEWS), a West Bengal-based NGO, has received Global Technical Recognition from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations for developing an innovative model — Sustainable Aquaculture in Mangrove Ecosystems (SAIME).
- The recognition was conferred during FAO’s 80th Anniversary and the World Food Forum held at FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy.
Key Points About SAIME Model
- Objective: To integrate mangrove conservation with sustainable aquaculture practices, promoting climate-resilient livelihoods in coastal regions.
- Coverage: Implemented across 29.84 hectares by 42 fish farmers in the Indian Sundarbans.
- Key Feature: Ensures 5%–30% mangrove coverage within aquaculture ponds to maintain ecological balance.
- Approach: Follows a community participatory model encouraging farmers to adopt eco-friendly aquaculture aligned with climate adaptation goals.
- Implementation: The SAIME model is implemented in Chaital (North 24 Parganas) and Madhabpur (South 24 Parganas) districts of West Bengal’s Sundarbans region.
- Farmers use mangrove litter as natural fodder for cultivating Black Tiger Shrimp (Penaeus monodon), promoting chemical-free aquaculture and aiding mangrove restoration.
- Significance: The SAIME model boosts farmers’ income by over 100% while enhancing mangrove restoration, carbon sequestration, coastal resilience, and reducing pollution and habitat loss.
