Tamil Nadu Coastal Restoration Mission
The Tamil Nadu Coastal Restoration Mission (TN-SHORE), launched in 2025, is a major initiative funded by the World Bank to enhance coastal resilience in Tamil Nadu. The project focuses on mangrove restoration, biodiversity protection, and sustainable coastal economy development. It aims to restore 30,000 hectares of seascapes and support endangered species like turtles and dugongs. The mission integrates community participation through village mangrove councils empowered to manage funds directly.
Overview of TN-SHORE Initiative
TN-SHORE is a ₹1,675-crore project. The World Bank provides about ₹1,000 crore, while the Tamil Nadu government funds the rest. The mission targets coastal protection by restoring natural ecosystems and promoting eco-friendly livelihoods. It emphasises mangrove plantation, plastic waste management, and eco-tourism to strengthen the coastal economy and environment.
Community-Driven Mangrove Restoration
A unique feature is direct funding to village mangrove councils. These councils consist of local residents led by a community president and forest officials as secretaries. This system allows quicker fund utilisation with smaller allocations up to ₹8 lakh without tenders, simplifying procurement. The councils oversee restoration of 1,000 hectares of mangroves, including 300 hectares of new plantations and 700 hectares of degraded areas.
Legal and Environmental Safeguards
Mangroves will be brought under legal protection by declaring them reserve forests. Potential plantation sites include abandoned aquaculture ponds, disused salt pans, and degraded lands. This legal status will prevent encroachment and promote long-term conservation. Tamil Nadu currently has 41.9 sq km of mangrove cover, ranging from very dense to open patches.
Scientific Mapping and Partnerships
Land identification is supported by coastline mapping from the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management. Ground-truthing is underway to verify these maps. The Tamil Nadu government signed MoUs with the United Nations Environment Programme and the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation to collaborate on environmental projects. This multi-stakeholder approach enhances the mission’s impact.
Significance for Biodiversity and Economy
Mangrove restoration safeguards critical habitats for endangered species such as turtles and dugongs. It also strengthens natural bioshields against coastal erosion and climate change impacts. The mission promotes sustainable livelihoods through eco-tourism and waste management, benefiting local communities and the broader coastal economy.
| Related | |
|---|---|
