Wed Jan 22 20:19:05 UTC 2025: ## Kerala Launches Three-Year Mangrove Restoration Project
**KOCHI, January 23, 2025** – A three-year mangrove restoration project has been launched along the Kerala coast, aiming to protect the vital coastal ecosystem. The initiative is a collaboration between the Buimerc Foundation and the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF).
The project will initially focus on a 10-kilometer stretch of the Vypeen coast in 2025, cultivating 20,000 mangrove saplings for planting and distribution. A key component of the project is the establishment of a mangrove field school, led by Murukesan (“Mangrove Man of Kochi”), to educate local communities and youth about sustainable coastal management. The school will work with local bodies and organizations to implement the restoration program.
The initiative addresses the threat to Kerala’s mangrove biodiversity, particularly along Ernakulam’s 46-km coastline (8% of the state’s total), which is facing pressure from urban expansion and environmental degradation. The project will encompass seed collection, nursery development, sapling planting, and growth monitoring. The goal is to preserve and restore the mangrove vegetation, enhancing coastal resilience and promoting community-driven conservation efforts.
MSSRF, with its extensive experience in mangrove restoration across India, will leverage this expertise in the Kochi project. The project aims to empower local communities, particularly young people, with the knowledge and skills to participate actively in conservation efforts.
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