Times of India·3 min read·easy

Thailand sank 25 tanks in 2010. Nine years later, 53 fish species thrived

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TOI SCIENCE DESK
Thailand sank 25 tanks in 2010. Nine years later, 53 fish species thrived
AI Summary

Thailand's decision to sink decommissioned military tanks and other scrap metal into the Gulf of Thailand has successfully created artificial reefs. Research shows these structures have fostered a thriving ecosystem for 53 fish species, aiding local fishing communities.

Why it matters

This demonstrates an innovative approach to repurposing military waste to restore marine biodiversity and support local economies affected by overfishing.

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Battle tank is made for war. It is built to cross tough terrain, take a beating and dominate a battlefield. But what if the battlefield disappears and there is no place for the tank to go? Some retired tanks have found an unexpectedly useful second life, under the sea in southern Thailand. According to an online repor by Aljazeera, in August 2010 Thailand’s army sank 25 old Chinese-made battle tanks into the Gulf of Thailand off Narathiwat province. 273 old railroad cars and 198 scrapped garbage trucks went under the water to serve as an artificial reef and create new fishing grounds. The strange undersea haul was part of an effort to help fishing communities whose catches have plummeted after decades of overfishing.

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