Seagrass restoration work under way in Pudukottai district

In a significant step towards enhancing coastal biodiversity, the Forest department has embarked on the task of restoring seagrass meadows along the coastal region of P.R. Pattinam falling under the Aranthangi Forest Range in Pudukottai district

In a significant step towards enhancing coastal biodiversity, the Forest department has embarked on the task of restoring seagrass meadows along the coastal region of P.R. Pattinam falling under the Aranthangi Forest Range in Pudukottai district.

The seagrass restoration work is being executed under the Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Conservation and Greening Project for Climate Change Response scheme in collaboration with the OMCAR Foundation.  The initiative is being carried out in 10 identified sites on an area of about 100 hectares inside the sea. The chosen sites, which are about 2 km away from the shores of P.R. Pattinam coastal village for improvement of seagrass patches.

The sites have been chosen based on drone imagery and fall under the Dugong Conservation Reserve, Palk Bay. Seagrass is a major food source for Dugong also called as ‘Sea Cows’ — a herbivorous marine mammal which graze on sea grasses in shallow coastal waters. Dugongs are found in the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay and their population is believed to be declining. 

A Forest department official said the seagrass restoration work commenced in February second week. About 1,000 sq. m. area has been selected for establishing seagrass patches by using eco-friendly bamboo frames and coir ropes.

About 600 sq. m. area have been completed so far by involving the local fisher community. The entire work is being executed on an outlay of ₹10.6 lakh under the TBGPCCR scheme funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Representatives of Japan International Cooperation Agency Ishikawa Saya and Sidharth Parameswaran, accompanied by senior Forest Department officials visited site at P.R. Pattinam, on Thursday.

Healthy seagrass sprigs of syringodium isoetifolium, cymodocea serrulata and halodule pinifolia were being carefully transplanted in the designated area with help from local fishermen, the official said.