The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has drawn up a comprehensive plan for the rehabilitation of coastal habitats by creating bio-shields, and restoring degraded mangroves in Cuddalore district. The Department has planned to restore degraded areas in Pichavaram, and increase mangrove cover in the region by 100 hectares for the year 2023-24.
The Pichavaram mangroves are among the most productive ecosystems in the State, and are a storehouse of biodiversity, supporting 840 species of flora and fauna. These includes 115 species of birds, 16 species of mammals, 11 amphibians, 177 species of finfish, 95 species of zooplanktons, 82 phytoplanktons, 35 species of butterflies, 17 snakes and 3 species of seagrass.
However, the mangroves are under serious threat of degradation due to various factors. Realising this, the Forest Department has planned the restoration of about 350 hectares of degraded patches in Pichavaram over the next three years.
