Odisha’s pioneering community-led mangrove restoration has received global recognition after being featured in the new season of An Optimist’s Guide to the Planet, a documentary series hosted by Game of Thrones actor and UNDP Goodwill Ambassador Nikolaj Coster-Waldau.
Odisha’s Story in the Global Climate Series
The latest season of the Bloomberg Originals series premiered worldwide on October 23, 2025. Its opening episode, titled “Protect,” focuses on climate-resilient communities across the globe — including those in Kendrapara district, Odisha.
In the episode, Coster-Waldau visits Bagapatia village, where families displaced by rising sea levels and coastal erosion have rebuilt their lives through sustainable livelihoods and mangrove restoration.
“Odisha’s communities are leading the way in demonstrating how nature-based solutions can protect people and the planet,” the narrator notes during the film.
A Model of Community-Led Climate Action
The Enhancing Climate Resilience of India’s Coastal Communities (ECRICC) project, featured in the documentary, is jointly implemented by the Green Climate Fund, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the Government of Odisha, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Since 2018, Odisha has restored over 3,200 hectares of degraded mangrove forests across Kendrapara, Bhadrak, and Balasore districts. These dense green belts now act as natural bio-shields, reducing the impact of cyclones, preventing soil erosion, and enhancing carbon storage.
Women’s self-help groups have played a central role in raising mangrove nurseries, planting native species, and developing eco-tourism — making the project a model of inclusive and sustainable development.
International Recognition for Odisha
Coster-Waldau, best known for portraying Jaime Lannister in HBO’s Game of Thrones, uses his platform to spotlight local climate resilience stories from around the world. Alongside Odisha, the new season also features communities in Denmark and Ecuador, highlighting how grassroots action connects across continents.
The Odisha segment stands out as a powerful example of science-driven governance combined with grassroots participation — positioning the state as a global leader in ecosystem-based climate adaptation.
Where to Watch
An Optimist’s Guide to the Planet airs every Wednesday on Bloomberg Originals. It is also available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Samsung TV+, LG Channels, Bloomberg TV, Bloomberg.com, and YouTube.
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