Tamil Nadu's multi-crore mission: How 300 villagers and 8,500 reef blocks aim to save a sinking island, and create jobs too

Time of India

6 days ago

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.
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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.
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'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