An investment case on nature-based solutions, focusing on mangroves and pokkali in Kochi, has been developed under the INTERACT-Bio project, supported by Germany’s Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMU). Pokkali is an ancient organic farming practice, where one season of paddy cultivation using a unique saline tolerant rice variety is alternated with another season of prawn culture in the water-logged coastal regions of Kerala.
The investment case, developed through extensive consultations with practitioners, leaders, subject-matter experts and NGOs, aims to develop a financial model with which investment for nature-based solutions can be secured.
In order to finalise it, the experts who prepared the investment case presented it in detail at a stakeholder consultation in Kochi. Advocate M Anil Kumar, Hon’ble Mayor of Kochi, delivered the inaugural address at the august event, which was attended by city leaders, subject-matter experts and practitioners, and civil society representatives.
The inputs that were received after detailed discussions and deliberations at the workshop, are being used to finalise the investment cases for pokkali and mangrove areas in Kochi.