Andhra Pradesh has initiated plans for the 'Great Green Wall of Andhra Pradesh,' spearheaded by Pawan Kalyan, with a target completion year of 2030. This project aims to establish a 5-km-wide green buffer zone along the state's coastline.
Official sources indicate that the Great Green Wall is designed to function as a "living ecological shield," intending to protect over three million people in coastal regions while promoting biodiversity, climate resilience, and sustainable development. The initiative will integrate mangroves, shelterbelt plantations, inland vegetation, and sand dunes to form a multi-layered system.
The envisioned benefits include mitigating the effects of cyclones and storm surges, stabilizing shorelines, and enhancing livelihoods through avenues such as eco-tourism and sustainable fisheries. The project also encompasses the restoration of one-lakh hectares of green cover.
This undertaking addresses Andhra Pradesh's significant climate vulnerability, as the state experiences frequent cyclones, floods, and rising sea levels affecting approximately 3.30 million coastal inhabitants. Furthermore, Andhra Pradesh is identified as the fourth most affected state in India regarding coastal erosion.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/great-green-wall-to-protect-andhra-pradeshs-coastline-from-cyclones-and-environmental-degradation/article70190397.ece