CHENNAI: The Centre has asked Tamil Nadu to expedite the implementation of the `24.7 crore climate change project pertaining to management and rehabilitation of coastal habitats and biodiversity in the Gulf of Mannar while seeking innovative proposals for the current financial year.
The project ‘Management and Rehabilitation of Coastal Habitats and Biodiversity for Climate Change Adaptation and Sustainable Livelihood in Gulf of Mannar’ was one of the 21 projects sanctioned during the last two financial years after National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change was launched in 2015 to address issues pertaining to climate change in the country.
It is learnt a review was taken up by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the ministry was not happy over its implementation. Sources said the Centre has written to the State stating that the 100 per cent Centrally funded scheme needs quick implementation to justify its continuance.
The proposal, whose detailed project report was prepared by NABARD Consultancy Services, was to carry out a baseline study to assess vulnerability to climate change on both coastal ecosystems (including biodiversity and fisheries) and coastal communities in the Gulf of Mannar in Thoothkudi district.
Under the project, three islands in the Gulf of Mannar in Tamil Nadu — Kariyachalli Island and Vilanguchalli Island for corals and seagrass rehabilitation and Vaan Island (half submerged) for artificial reefs deployment was proposed.
The communities from five villages in proximity to the three islands who are dependent on fisheries — Mottaikopuram, Siluvaipatti, Vellapatti, Tharuvaikulam and Pattinamaruthoor were chosen to understand the impact of the activity in terms of adaptation to climate change, both in terms of livelihood generation and income enhancement among the community. The four-year project is to end in 2019-20.
About the project
Three islands in the Gulf of Mannar — Kariyachalli, Vilanguchalli and Vaan - selected for corals and seagrass rehabilitation and artificial reef deployment
Fishing communities in nearby villages to be trained on adaptation to climate change