The State government has issued orders to implement the Tamil Nadu Coastal Restoration Mission over the next five years at a cost of ₹1,675 crore with World Bank support. The mission includes projects to strengthen coastal biodiversity, improve coastal livelihood through sustainable tourism, and reduce plastic waste in marine environments.
A special purpose vehicle, named Tamil Nadu Blue Carbon Agency, will be established to monitor the restoration of mangroves and seagrass; control erosion; restore the corals at Kariyachalli Islands of the Gulf of Mannar ecosystem; and strengthen coastal management systems.
In the 2023-24 Budget, the government announced that a coastal restoration mission would be established at a cost of ₹2,000 crore, to be implemented over five years, with assistance from the World Bank to prevent sea erosion and conserve marine biodiversity. Based on this proposal, the Department of Environment, Climate Change, and Forests approached the World Bank with a concept note and then submitted a project report, which has been approved. The World Bank will provide ₹1,172.5 crore and the State will bear an estimated expense of ₹502.5 crore for activities to be implemented over 2024-29, according to the government order issued on January 10 by Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Environment, Climate Change, and Forests.
