NHAI, Forest Department efforts provide Pichavaram another 25 h.a. of mangroves
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Species, protected areas & wetlands· Prelims·
Compensatory afforestation and ecological restoration: a GS3 case study on balancing infrastructure with biodiversity.
Why in news
The NHAI and Forest Department collaborated to plant over 75,000 saplings in Pichavaram to offset mangrove destruction caused by highway expansion near Marakkanam.
Background
The project involved planting over 75,000 saplings at a cost of ₹1.97 crore. It successfully reduced the actual mangrove impact from 21.283 hectares to 0.15 hectares while generating 18,135 man-days of work for tribal communities.
Facts for Prelims
- FactNHAI and Forest Department spent ₹1.97 crore on mangrove plantation in Pichavaram.
- FactThe project reduced mangrove destruction impact from 21.283 hectares to 0.15 hectares.
- FactThe initiative generated 18,135 man-days of work for tribal communities.
- PlacePichavaram is the site of the mangrove plantation and highway expansion near Marakkanam.
Prelims practice question
With reference to the mangrove plantation project in Pichavaram, consider the following statements:
- The project involved the plantation of 75,000 mangrove saplings.
- The project reduced the mangrove destruction impact to 21.283 hectares.
- The plantation effort generated 10,000 man-days of work for tribal communities.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a)1 only
- (b)3 only
- (c)2 and 3 only
- (d)1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (a) 1 only — Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect: The project reduced the impact from 21.283 hectares to 0.15 hectares. Statement 3 is incorrect: The project generated 18,135 man-days of work.
For Mains
Q. Examine the role of compensatory afforestation and community-led conservation in mitigating the ecological impact of infrastructure development in coastal regions.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Ecological integrity: Balancing linear infrastructure expansion with the preservation of carbon-sequestering mangrove ecosystems
- Livelihood integration: Utilizing tribal labor for conservation to address socio-economic marginalization and environmental restoration
- Regulatory compliance: Effectiveness of compensatory plantation models in achieving net-zero impact on biodiversity
Keywords: Compensatory Afforestation · Mangrove Ecosystems · Infrastructure Development · Community Participation · Biodiversity Mitigation
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