3 days Ago By P Oppili
Chennai: Mangrove saplings and associated plants planted to counter the effects of fly ash dumping have grown well along the banks of north Buckingham Canal , river Kosasthalaiyar and areas near Ennore Creek . Tiruvallur district forest officer V Subbiah said planting began last year and, so far, 60,000 mangrove saplings of two species, Avicennia marina and Rhizophora mucronata, along with their associated plants, have been grown across the three locations. The forest department is now working on planting another 1.
10 lakh saplings in the same areas. Subbiah said that in some parts of Ennore Creek, fly ash — fine particles produced from burning coal — had settled to a depth of one metre. In these areas, planting mangroves is not feasible because the roots struggle to survive in such heavily contaminated soil.
Mangroves are known for their exceptional ability to sequester carbon — they can absorb and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere at a rate three times higher than most terrestrial plants. Additionally, mangrove areas are ideal locations for fish and prawns to lay eggs. Once fully grown, these mangroves will transform the area into a thriving breeding ground for fish, which can significantly improve the livelihoods of local fishermen.
Mangroves also play a vital role in improving water quality. Buckingham Canal and Ennore Creek have been polluted by the discharge of industrial waste and other contaminants. Mangroves act as natural filters, absorbing pollutants from the water and reducing overall pollution levels.
Moreover, they function as bio-shields, protecting coastal areas from erosion and storm surges. Subbiah said the forest department aims to complete the planting of all saplings by the end of this calendar year..
