1. Why Muthupet matters: A vital wetland under threat

Nestled at the confluence of the Koraiyar and Pamaniyar rivers and opening into the Palk Strait, the Muthupet wetland complex in Tamil Nadu spans 120 sq. km and is the largest mangrove forest in the state. As part of the Point Calimere Ramsar site, it plays a vital role in:

• Supporting biodiversity, including over 100 species of migratory waterbirds like Spot-Billed Pelicans and Lesser Flamingos.
• Protecting coastal villages from cyclonic storm surges, erosion, and sea-level rise.
• Acting as a carbon sink and fish nursery for surrounding fishing communities.

However, over the years, silt accumulation, blocked tidal inflows, and canopy loss led to large-scale degradation. Once-thriving forest patches turned into barren mudflats, threatening biodiversity and jeopardising the livelihoods of thousands of fisherfolk who depended on the wetland ecosystem.

2. A joint mission: Government and communities unite

The restoration of Muthupet’s mangroves was launched under the Green Tamil Nadu Mission between 2022 and 2025, led by:

• Tiruvarur Forest Division, under District Forest Officer (DFO) LCS Srikanth
  
• State-wide oversight by Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Forests and Climate Change Department

What made this mission unique was the integration of scientific planning with grassroots participation. Officials mobilised over 10,000 residents from 16 fishing villages, including Veerankoil and Thondiyakadu, through the formation of Village Mangrove Councils (VMCs). These councils became local governance units, combining traditional knowledge with........

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