Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 21 hrs ago
India uses artificial reefs to protect southern islands from erosion
India is trying to protect 21 islands off its southern coast from erosion linked to rising seas and storm surges.
The islands are uninhabited, but their surrounding seagrass beds support marine life and fish that coastal communities depend on.
Kariyachalli has lost 80% of its land, while two other islands have already disappeared into the sea.
To reduce wave damage, the project will place more than 8,000 artificial reef modules on the seabed near Kariyachalli and attach heat-resistant corals to them.
Workers are also anchoring frames with seagrass shoots to help restore fish breeding grounds.
The project costs about 144 million Swiss francs, funded mainly by the World Bank and also by the Indian government.
It aims to protect biodiversity and coastal livelihoods, with plans to create about 100,000 jobs and train 70,000 people in sustainable eco-tourism; the new reefs will only survive in the long term if global warming is stopped.
More than 8,000 artificial reef modules are being placed off Kariyachalli island in southern India to reduce erosion.
Kariyachalli has already lost 80 percent of its land area, and two other islands have disappeared into the sea.
The project also involves attaching more resilient corals to the reefs and restoring seagrass meadows.
The reefs are intended to weaken waves, while seagrass provides breeding and nursery grounds for fish and other marine life.
The project costs more than 140 million Swiss francs, with most funding from the World Bank and the rest from the Indian state.
- Who
- The Indian state and scientists are working to protect the islands. The project also involves divers, local fishers and salt workers.
- What
- More than 8,000 artificial reef modules are being placed off Kariyachalli, alongside coral planting and seagrass restoration.
- When
- Not stated
- Where
- Off the southern coast of India, around Kariyachalli island in Tamil Nadu.
- Why
- Climate change, rising sea levels and storm surges are causing the islands to lose land. The reefs are intended to reduce wave erosion and support marine habitats and coastal livelihoods.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Two islands off the southern Indian coast disappeared into the sea.
Kariyachalli lost 80 percent of its land area.
More than 8,000 artificial reef modules are being placed off Kariyachalli, with corals attached to their surfaces.
Divers are anchoring wooden frames carrying seagrass shoots to the seabed.
Erosion has been stopped at nearby Vaan after about 10,000 reef modules were anchored on the seabed.
- Kariyachalli
- Has lost 80 percent of its land area
- Artificial reefs
- More than 8,000 modules planned off Kariyachalli
- Vaan
- About 10,000 reef modules; erosion has been stopped
- Project cost
- More than 140 million Swiss francs
- Funding
- Mostly from the World Bank, with additional funding from the Indian state
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What people are saying
We must ensure their resilience, for example against erosion, storm surges, floods and cyclones or rising sea levels
Reducing climate damage, promoting biodiversity and at the same time securing the economic survival of coastal residents — the project combines many things