3-km canal in Tamil Nadu revived into mangrove forest

21-Mar-2026

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The 3-km-long stretch of the Buckingham Canal under the Pichavaram range was once clogged with plastic waste and debris. Today, it hosts around 3,000 mangrove saplings planted along its banks, restoring both water flow and biodiversity.

The project, carried out at a cost of Rs 69 lakh, saw participation from nearly 600 local residents who removed around 750 kg of plastic waste from the canal. The collected waste was handed over to the Killai Town Panchayat for proper disposal before plantation began.

According to an official statement, the initiative was carried out under the leadership of the Cuddalore district administration, with coordination from the Forest Department and other agencies. The work was led on the ground by Forest Range Officer Iqbal, with support from District Collector Sibi Adhithya and senior officials.