T.N. Forest Dept. restores unused stretch of intertidal barren land along Uppanar River in Cuddalore

A community-based ecological restoration initiative by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department by roping in the local community, has helped restore an unused stretch of intertidal barren land with degraded creek edges along the Uppanar river near Cuddalore. A mangrove island with native mangrove species has now taken shape on the stretch.

For years, the revenue land owned by the Kudikadu panchayat near Cuddalore SIPCOT remained an unused stretch of intertidal barren land with degraded creek edges and suffered from neglect due to growth of invasive species. The land was selected for the restoration process since it comprised low-lying, saline-prone areas with natural tidal influence, making it ecologically ideal for mangrove regeneration.

An assessment of the site was conducted and the Forest department initiated restoration efforts by planting appropriate species of mangroves based on the region’s salinity and tidal conditions.

According to B. Iqbal, Forest Range Officer (FRO), Pichavaram Range, “The invasive species of Prosporis juliflora was removed and a modified fish-bone canal system was developed to facilitate natural tidal flow and sapling survival across a total expanse of 25 hectares.”

“In addition, linear planting of native mangrove species was carried out along the canal and creek edges, with a total of 20,000 saplings. Key mangrove species, including Rhizophora mucronata, Avicennia marina, Exocoeria agallocha, Bruguiera cylindrical, Ceriops decandra, Kandelia candel, and Soneratia apetala were planted along the stretch. The entire plantation and their maintenance is being carried out by the local communities, ensuring community livelihood generation and stewardship,” he added.

The fish bone model allows the water to reach every nook and corner of the field channels. This model has found success in earlier applications at Pichavaram.

Considering the ecological significance and long-term conservation potential of this site, a formal proposal has been submitted under Section 26 of the Tamil Nadu Forest Act, 1882, to notify this area as Reserve Forest. This would ensure long-term legal protection to the restored mangrove ecosystem.

According to government estimates, the mangrove cover in Tamil Nadu is at 44.94 square kilometres (sq. km.), out of which 7.73 sq. km. is in Cuddalore. Straddling the Vellar and Coleroon estuaries, about 21% of Pichavaram is occupied by waterbodies, 27% by healthy mangrove vegetation, 38% by mudflats with sparsely grown mangroves, and sand dunes occupied the rest of the area. 

According to Mr. Iqbal, to further strengthen local participation and protective mechanisms, steps have been initiated to form a Village Mangrove Committee (VMC) at Kudikadu. This committee will involve local stakeholders in protection, maintenance, and awareness activities related to the mangrove ecosystem.