₹4 crore project implemented in Cuddalore district to prevent coastal erosion, says Centre

The Department of Environment and Climate Change is implementing a ₹4 crore project (2025-26 to 2027-28) titled “Creation of Bio-shield to Prevent the Impact of Sea Level Rise and Coastal Erosion,” in Cuddalore district, which includes 60 hectares of mangrove plantation and 20 hectares of coastal bio-shield using resilient species, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh said.

Responding to an unstarred question from Cuddalore Member of Parliament M.K. Vishnu Prasad, Mr. Singh said the Tamil Nadu Forest Department has undertaken large-scale mangrove restoration with community involvement. From 2022-23 to 2024-25, 95 hectares of new mangroves were planted under NABARD, Green Tamil Nadu Mission (GTM), and NHAI schemes using modified fish-bone designs.

Additionally, 250 hectares of degraded mangrove forests were restored under GTM and Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), and 52,000 mangrove seedlings were planted using linear methods, he said.

The GTM focuses on enhancing biodiversity, forest productivity, trees on farmlands, urban and peri-urban greenery, green employment, and farmers’ incomes. Over the last three years (2022-23 to 2024-25), 10.86 crore seedlings have been planted across the State by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, other government departments, NGOs, and the public. In Cuddalore district, about 54.25 lakh seedlings have been planted through the involvement of various stakeholders.

The Government has launched the World Bank-funded TN-SHORE/Tamil Nadu Coastal Restoration Mission for restoring 160 hectares of degraded mangroves through Village Mangrove Councils (VMCs), Mr. Singh added.