KARIYACHALLI ISLAND RESTORATION

Current Context : The Tamil Nadu government has launched efforts under the TNSHORE project to save the sinking Kariyachalli Island in the Gulf of Mannar region, which faces rapid erosion and ecological degradation.

About Kariyachalli Island

• Location: Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, between Rameswaram and Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu
• Ecological Zone: Gulf of Mannar is among India’s four major coral reef regions and is highly ecologically sensitive
• Island Features:
• One of 21 uninhabited islands in the region
• Contains beaches, sand dunes, spits, and sandy plains

Threats Faced:

• Landmass reduced by over 70% (1969–2024) – IIT Madras report
• Causes: Erosion, rising sea levels, coral bleaching, seagrass degradation
• ~One-third of coral reef bleached
• At current pace, island could submerge by 2036

About Government Initiative: Tnshore Project

• Full Form: Tamil Nadu Sustainably Harnessing Ocean Resources
• Launch Timeline: August 2025
• Objectives:
• Restore coral reefs using artificial reef modules
• Plant seagrass beds
• Revive marine biodiversity to resist erosion