In a remarkable display of people-powered environmental action, more than 10,000 villagers across coastal Tamil Nadu have helped revive the state’s largest mangrove forest the 2,057-hectare Muthupet wetlands using a mix of traditional knowledge, scientific design, and grassroots mobilisation.
Located where the Koraiyar and Pamaniyar rivers meet the Palk Strait, the Muthupet wetland complex plays a critical role in supporting biodiversity, protecting villages from storm surges, and acting as a vital fish nursery. But in recent decades, silt accumulation, blocked tidal flows, and canopy loss had left vast tracts barren and degraded, threatening the livelihoods of local fishing communities.
Under the Green Tamil Nadu Mission, launched in 2022, the Tiruvarur Forest Division, led by District Forest Officer LCS Srikanth and guided by Additional Chief Secretary Supriya Sahu, initiated an ambitious restoration effort. What set this apart was the scale of public participation villagers from 16 coastal communities formed Village Mangrove Councils to lead on-the-ground efforts like planting saplings, restoring tidal canals, and protecting young trees.
Scientific Meets Traditional
Using proven ecological engineering methods, officials excavated over 380 km of canals based on two major designs: the Fishbone pattern, which mimics the skeleton of a fish to aid water flow and seed dispersal, and a Box design for flat, stagnant zones. This canal network enabled natural tidal flushing essential for mangrove survival.
The planting strategy focused on native species like Avicennia marina, Rhizophora mucronata, and Aegiceras corniculatum. Over 1.2 million mangrove propagules were planted with careful spacing and soil assessment. In areas where natural dispersal was limited, manual transplants ensured even regeneration.
Impact in Numbers
The project restored 1,350 hectares through direct planting and another 707 hectares by fixing water flow. Work spanned 1,482 hectares in Thanjavur and 575 in Tiruvarur districts. Beyond ecological gains, the initiative created over 86,000 days of paid employment for landless workers, women’s self-help groups, and traditional fishers between 2022 and 2024.
Early signs show a strong ecological rebound with bird migration returning, fingerling fish density increasing, and coastal erosion reduced. Locals have embraced the forest as their own, reporting damage, guarding saplings, and involving children in plantation drives.
A Model for India
The Tamil Nadu government plans to expand the restoration by another 1,500 hectares in the coming years. Experts say Muthupet now stands as a national model for wetland recovery proving that large-scale ecological restoration is possible when science, policy, and community work hand in hand.
As climate change continues to strain coastal ecosystems, the Muthupet revival offers hope not just of restored landscapes, but of renewed resilience for the people who live within them.