A long-overlooked stretch of the Buckingham Canal near Kazhipattur along East Coast Road in Chennai is seeing a resurgence in biodiversity, as the Tamil Nadu Forest Department undertakes a large-scale mangrove restoration under the Green Tamil Nadu Mission.
The area, once dominated by the invasive Prosopis juliflora, now hosts over 12,000 native mangrove saplings planted to strengthen coastal resilience. According to Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary for Environment, Climate Change, and Forests, five different native mangrove species were introduced last year with the goal of creating a thriving ecosystem capable of withstanding coastal threats. The initiative aims to improve local biodiversity while restoring the canal’s ecological function. To mimic natural tidal conditions essential for mangrove survival, the department has built an intricate network of 87 tidal channels, each three metres wide and one metre deep. This is further supported by a “fish bone”water flow system—seven main feeder canals branching into 80 smaller ones—to ensure consistent and controlled saline water distribution across the site.
The Buckingham Canal, which runs 796 kilometres along the Coromandel Coast from Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh to Parangipettai in Tamil Nadu, has been a historic waterway but has suffered decades of pollution and degradation. The current initiative seeks to restore its ecological vitality and reintegrate it into Chennai’s urban fabric. Mangroves play a crucial role in stabilising coastlines by reducing erosion, absorbing wave energy, and protecting against storm surges. Their dense root systems not only trap sediments but also sequester up to three times more carbon than tropical forests, making them powerful tools in climate change mitigation and urban planning.
Officials also plan to improve community access to the restored areas by developing walking trails and eco-parks along the canal. The effort is part of a broader strategy to combine ecological conservation with public engagement, offering both environmental and social benefits to the city.
