Garbage dump to green cover: 3-km canal in Tamil Nadu revived into mangrove forest
India Today
Around 600 villagers removed 750 kg of waste, following which 3,000 mangrove saplings were planted under a Rs 69 lakh project. The restoration has improved water flow in the Pichavaram mangroves and is supporting the livelihoods of Irula fishing families.
In a striking example of community-led ecological restoration, a garbage-choked canal in Cuddalore has been revived and transformed into a beautiful mangrove stretch.
The 3-km-long stretch of the Buckingham Canal under the Pichavaram range was once clogged with plastic waste and debris. Today, it hosts around 3,000 mangrove saplings planted along its banks, restoring both water flow and biodiversity.
The project, carried out at a cost of Rs 69 lakh, saw participation from nearly 600 local residents who removed around 750 kg of plastic waste from the canal. The collected waste was handed over to the Killai Town Panchayat for proper disposal before plantation began.
Species such as Rhizophora mucronata (loop-root mangrove), Rhizophora apiculata (red mangrove), Avicennia marina (grey mangrove) and Avicennia officinalis (Indian mangrove) were planted along the canal stretch.
Officials said the restoration began with desilting and excavation to revive the canal’s natural water-carrying capacity and improve tidal exchange. Mangroves were then planted along both sides to stabilise the shoreline, restore hydrological balance and enhance biodiversity in the Pichavaram mangroves ecosystem.
The effort has improved water circulation into the Pichavaram backwaters and is supporting the livelihoods of around 50 Irula tribal fishing families in the region.
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