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The Hindu
29-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Tamil Nadu commences restoration of Kariyachalli island in Gulf of Mannar to combat erosion and boost marine biodiversity
After the successful restoration of Vaan island in Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, the Tamil Nadu government has commenced the restoration of Kariyachalli island in the Gulf of Mannar region, under the Tamil Nadu Sustainably Harnessing Ocean Resource (TNSHORE) initiative. The restoration project, being carried out at a cost of ₹50 crore, is funded by the state government and the World Bank. The Tamil Nadu Forest Department, in partnership with the IIT-Madras and Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute in Thoothukudi, is undertaking this ambitious initiative. The Gulf of Mannar (GoM) located on the southeastern coast of India, is one of the four major coral reef areas in India. It comprises 21 uninhabited low-lying islands within the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, stretching 160 km between Rameswaram and Thoothukudi. The surrounding coral reefs in these islands help to protect the mainland from coastal erosion, extreme weather, while also supporting fisherfolks by increasing the fish production. However extensive coral mining, before it was completely stopped in 2005, the most selective mined species of boulder coral were from the genera Porites and Favia, which were principal reef builders and sediment suppliers of the reef island. As a result, many islands are shrinking due to erosion and lack of sediment replenishment. In case of, Kariyachalli island, which belongs to the Thoothukudi group is located at about 4 km south of Sippikulam and 20 km northeast of Thoothukudi old harbour. According to a report from SDMRI, the total area of the island was 20.85 hectares in 1969 (Survey of India Toposheet), 16.64 hectares in 1986 during Marine National Park notification and 5.97 hectares in 2017. But at present during April 2025, it has an area cover of 3.14 hectares during the high tide level and 4.12 hectares during the low tide level. Kariyachalli island possess beaches, sand dunes, spit and sandy plains. The alarming shrinkage prompted the government to undertake restoration of Kariyachalli island. The initiative involves the deployment of 8,500 multipurpose artificial reef modules, especially designed to protect and restore the highly eroded island, to conserve and enhance biodiversity, address the impacts of climate change and sustain fishery resources. The project also includes the restoration of degraded coral reefs and seagrass beds. Interestingly the project will also engage over 300 local community members during restoration. S.A. Sannasiraj, Professor, Department of Ocean Engineering said that the layout of artificial reefs has been planned as per the island configuration and the fabrication of the artificial reef is currently underway. He added that while the deployment of the modules are similar to the 'Vaan' island project, the recovery process would be slower due to the comparatively slower rate of degradation. Whereas, the director of SDMRI J.K. Edward Patterson noted 'The island's degraded habitat such as coral reefs and seagrass beds are also being restored, which will enhance the coral and seagrass associated marine life and help protect the island from erosion.' Speaking on the initiative, Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forests said that environmental and social impact assessments and wave dynamics and bathymetry investigations have been conducted by IIT-Madras. 'The island has shrunk from 20.85 hectares to over three hectares now and the protection and restoration of island and its various ecosystems like coral reefs and seagrass beds will help not only to save the island from further erosion but also to protect the nearby coast and enhance biodiversity, which are vital to sustained livelihood of fisherfolk,' added Ms. Sahu.
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Tamil Nadu's multi-crore mission: How 300 villagers and 8,500 reef blocks aim to save a sinking island, and create jobs too
Soon, villagers from Tamil Nadu's Tuticorin won't just be heading to the sea for fishing. They'll be diving underwater to help save an island that's slowly vanishing. The Tamil Nadu government has kicked off a Rs 50 crore project to revive Kariyachalli Island, one of the 21 fragile islands in the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park. This ambitious project is part of the TNSHORE programme (Tamil Nadu Sustainably Harnessing Ocean Resources), aimed at fighting climate change, preserving marine life, and creating stable livelihoods for coastal communities. What's special about Kariyachalli? Kariyachalli Island may be small, but it's mighty important. Tucked between India and Sri Lanka, it acts like a natural shield, protecting the coast from storms and tsunamis. It proved its worth during the 2004 tsunami, absorbing much of the impact. The island is surrounded by rich coral reefs and seagrass beds that provide food, shelter, and livelihood to thousands of fisherfolk. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Descubra o valor de qualquer imóvel — basta digitar o endereço! Valor da casa | Anúncios de pesquisa Saiba Mais Undo But there's a big problem, the island is disappearing. Since 1969, it has lost over 70% of its land, shrinking from nearly 21 hectares to just 6 hectares by 2018. Scientists say this is due to rising sea levels and damage to its coral reefs and seagrass beds. A creative solution below the surface To fix this, the government will place 8,500 specially-designed artificial coral reef modules in the sea. Created by IIT Madras, these trapezoid-shaped structures made of ferrocement and steel will be dropped underwater by 300 trained villagers. The goal? To stop erosion, calm wave energy, trap sediment, and let nature take over. Live Events 'These structures will not only protect the shoreline but also create new homes for marine life. We'll plant corals on them and monitor their growth,' said Supriya Sahu, the environment secretary. Each module weighs around three tonnes and has holes that let nutrients flow through. They're expected to attract marine organisms, reduce wave strength, and over time, grow into living coral reefs. This model was tried successfully at Vaan Island, where, within five years, land returned, waters became shallower, and 37 coral species started thriving again. Dugongs, corals and tourism hopes The plan at Kariyachalli includes restoring two acres of coral reef and three acres of seagrass, both crucial for storing carbon, supporting biodiversity, and preventing the shoreline from washing away. A healthy seagrass bed might also lure back dugongs (gentle sea cows) that feed on it. 'A thriving ecosystem could lead to eco-tourism opportunities,' said Supriya. 'But if we don't act now, the island might be gone by 2030.' Coral growth is a slow process, about 1 cm a year, so patience and constant care are key. Marine expert R Ramasubramanian from the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation stressed that only heat-resistant coral species should be planted to survive warmer waters. Even if some corals die, new colonies can grow in their place. Villagers: the ocean heroes Local fishers from nearby Sippikulam and Pattinamaruthoor villages will be trained to help place the reef structures and support other parts of the conservation project. The state also hopes to create alternative jobs through eco-tourism and related services, giving villagers a new role as guardians of the ocean. If successful, this could be a shining example of how community effort, science, and nature can work together to fight climate change, one coral at a time. Inputs from TOI
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
'Bringing an island back to life': TN govt's Rs 50 crore effort to restore Kariyachalli with 8,500 reef modules, local divers
Artificial coral reef modules that will protect the island's shoreline Villagers from Tuticorin will soon be diving into the sea, not for recreation, but as part of a bigger mission to help revive a vanishing island in the Gulf of Mannar. The Tamil Nadu govt has launched a Rs 50cr conservation project to restore Kariyachalli Island, one of 21 ecologically fragile islands in the rapidly eroding Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park. The initiative, part of the TN Sustainably Harnessing Ocean Resources (TNSHORE) programme, aims to boost climate resilience, preserve marine biodiversity and support sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities. Located off Tuticorin coast, Kariyachalli island, a small strip between India and Sri Lanka, serves as a natural barrier against cyclones and tsunamis, a function brought into focus during the 2004 tsunami. The island is surrounded by rich coral reefs and seagrass beds that support diverse marine life and provide livelihood support to thousands of small-scale fisherfolk. The island, however, has lost more than 71% of its land area, shrinking from 20.85ha in 1969 to 5.97ha in 2018, due to sea level rise and degradation of surrounding coral reefs and sea-grass. Under this initiative, the govt will use 8,500 multipurpose artificial coral reef modules — designed by IIT Madras based on wave dynamicsand bathymetry studies — to protect the island's shoreline, reduce wave energy and increase sediment deposition. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Wolsztyn: ten aparat słuchowy może zmienić wszystko w 2025 roku GEERS Undo 'These are ferrocementand-steel trapezoidal structures. Corals will be placed on them and the structures submerged. We will be roping in 300 local fishing villagers to dive in, to place these structures. The heights will vary based on terrain. The growth of corals will be monitored regularly,' says environment secretary Supriya Sahu. The modules, three tonnes each and perforated to support nutrient flow, are expected to act as wave breaks and create marine habitats. The island's water depths too have been reduced to half a metre from 3m years ago, say scientists. This project may help get back land area. The model being used here is similar to the interventions at Vaan Island that began in 2015 and, within five years, led to measurable gains in land area, shallower waters, and coral regrowth involving more than 37 species. At Kariyachalli, plans include scientifically restoring two acres of degraded coral reef and three acres of seagrass beds, ecosystems that play a critical role in carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation and shoreline protection. 'A good sea-grass cover will invite dugongs (sea cows) which feed on seagrass. It will boost the ecological character of the islands, and also open up eco-tourism initiatives,' says Supriya, adding that if interventions aren't done, the island will be lost by 2030. 'It takes between five and seven years for an artificial reef to mature enough to resemble a natural reef, with corals growing at about 1cm per year. Work will begin in a month.' Heat resilient corals must be grown in the nurseries, says Ramasubramanian R of Coastal and Marine Systems at M S Swaminathan Research Institute. 'Only these can survive rising temperatures. If some corals die as the reef develops, new colonies can emerge. This approach has seen success globally but needs constant monitoring and nurturing of corals in laboratory conditions.' The modules will provide nutrition to organisms attached to them. Placed at 20m gaps, they will also improve fish production. Villagers from Sippikulam and Pattinamaruthoor which are within a 12km radius of the island, will be engaged through capacity building, training, and support for eco-tourism and alternative livelihoods.
