India uses coral and seagrass to protect Kariyachalli island

Authorities in India are implementing a restoration project on Kariyachalli island to combat severe coastal erosion. The initiative utilizes artificial reefs, transplanted corals, and seagrass meadows to rebuild natural defenses against rising sea levels, storm surges, and cyclonic storms.

Kariyachalli, located in the Gulf of Mannar within the southern Tamil Nadu state, has lost over 80 percent of its landmass in the last 50 years. Government data indicates the island shrank from 20.85 hectares in 1969 to 3.14 hectares last year. Without intervention, the island could disappear entirely by 2036.

Marine scientists note that the ecosystems in the Gulf of Mannar, which include endangered dugongs and diverse fish species, serve as vital barriers against natural disasters. During the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, these coral reefs and seagrass beds helped absorb the impact, potentially preventing even greater devastation in the region.