Sun Mar 16 14:36:40 UTC 2025: ## Tamil Nadu’s Mangrove Cover More Than Doubles in Three Years
**Chennai, March 16, 2025** – A new report from Anna University’s Centre for Climate Change and Disaster Management reveals a significant expansion of Tamil Nadu’s mangrove forest cover. The state’s mangrove area has more than doubled, growing from 4,500 hectares in 2021 to 9,039 hectares in 2024. This dramatic increase is attributed to a combination of new plantations and the preservation of existing mangrove forests.
The report, titled ‘Blue Carbon Monitoring for Mangroves of Tamil Nadu’, highlights Tiruvarur as the district with the largest mangrove area (2,142 ha), followed closely by Thanjavur (2,063 ha). These two districts alone account for nearly half of the state’s total mangrove cover. Cuddalore and Nagapattinam also contribute significantly, with 1,117 ha and 1,021 ha respectively.
The study also measured the carbon sequestration capacity of these mangroves. Cuddalore, Tiruvarur, and Thanjavur showed particularly high carbon storage, with 249 tonnes/ha, 145 tonnes/ha, and 77.5 tonnes/ha respectively. Areas with lower density, such as Villupuram and Tiruvallur, showed significantly lower carbon capture.
While celebrating this positive trend, the report notes the presence of the invasive Prosopis juliflora in several districts, posing a threat to the mangrove ecosystems. To ensure the long-term sustainability of the mangrove expansion, the report recommends promoting eco-tourism and carbon credit programs, along with district-specific conservation strategies. The increase, the report notes, is comprised of 3,625 hectares of new plantations (40.1%) and 5,414 hectares of preserved existing mangroves (59.9%). The expanded mangrove forests play a crucial role in coastal protection, nutrient cycling, and supporting marine life, while also contributing significantly to climate change mitigation.
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