NHAI, Forest Department efforts provide Pichavaram another 25 hectares of mangroves

A new patch of mangroves has sprung up along the coast at Pichavaram in Cuddalore district through the efforts of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and Forest Department at a cost of ₹1.97 crore. Over 75,000 saplings of Rhizophora apiculala were grown by the Forest Department in its nursery and planted in a modified fish bone plantation.

Sources in the NHAI said the plantation was done for 15 square metres of mangroves that were destroyed in Marakkanam during the widening of East Coast Road and Mamallapuram to Puducherry National Highway NH-332A. Though an impact of 21.283 hectares was estimated at the detailed project report stage, out of the three locations, mangroves were affected at only one location, which was identified via GPS by the Anna University’s Institute of Remote Sensing as the Marakkanam Estuary. This was achieved through minor modifications in the project during the construction stage.