Tamil Nadu hosted its first-ever Mangrove Conclave on Sept.23 at Mahabalipuram, to advance the state’s pioneering coastal restoration efforts. The event brought together policymakers, scientists, and community leaders to discuss the critical role of mangroves in climate resilience.
Tamil Nadu has made significant strides in mangrove conservation, having planted over 2,400 hectares and restored another 1,200 hectares in the last four years. The revival of the Ennore mangroves, which were devastated by a 2023 oil spill, was highlighted as a major success story.
The conclave, anchored under the Tamil Nadu Coastal Restoration Mission, marked the release of a new book and a detailed report on the state’s mangrove journey by Forest Minister R.S. Rajakannappan.
The event also featured the signing of two key agreements:
- A renewed partnership between various state government departments and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to focus on sustainable urban cooling, climate-resilient infrastructure, and waste management.
- A new collaboration with the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) to drive joint coastal conservation through research, ecosystem restoration (including mangroves, seagrass, and coral reefs), and community-based eco-livelihoods.
Minister Rajakannappan stressed the government’s commitment to protecting coastal ecosystems, while Additional Chief Secretary Environment, Climate Change & Forests – Supriya Sahu, IAS, stated, “Mangroves are more than trees by the sea, they are lifelines for our coasts, our communities, and our climate.” The conclave concluded with a call for collaborative, science-driven, and community-owned mangrove conservation across India.
