Choked Buckingham in Killai in Cuddalore district restored under Tamil Nadu’s Climate Resilient Village initiative

The Tamil Nadu Forest Department, Department of Environment and Climate Change and the Cuddalore district administration have restored a 3-km choked section of the historic Buckingham Canal in Killai in Pichavaram, by removing plastic waste and invasive Prosporis juliflora as part of Tamil Nadu’s Climate Resilient Village project.

Nearly 600 local villagers participated in the desilting of the canal, which has now restored water flow between the mangroves in Pichavaram and surrounding waterbodies.

Tamil Nadu has identified 11 Climate Resilient Villages across the State to strengthen community-based climate adaptation and ecosystem restoration. Among these, Killai Town Panchayat in Cuddalore district is the first village where the Climate Resilient Village project, a flagship initiative of Tamil Nadu Climate Change Mission (TNCCM) has been implemented.

According to B. Iqbal, Forest Range Officer (FRO), Pichavaram Range, “The canal was choked with plastic waste and a major ecological restoration project was taken up in October to revive it. Workers desilted the canal to restore natural water flow linking the mangrove ecosystem to adjacent waterbodies. They cleared over 750 kg of plastic waste and invasive Prosopis juliflora, clearing the waterway.”

“Over 3,000 native mangrove saplings — Rhizophora mucronata, Rhizophora apiculata, Avicennia marina, and Avicennia officinalis — were planted along the banks of the canal to bolster coastal biodiversity, prevent erosion, and build resilience against cyclones and tidal surges,” he added.

The rejuvenation of the Buckingham canal will improve water flow, strengthen mangrove regeneration, support livelihoods of local fishermen, and enhance coastal resilience against climate impacts.

According to Cuddalore Collector Sibi Adhithya Senthil Kumar, “the project implemented in two wards in Killai Town Panchayat demonstrates how coastal villages can adapt to climate change. The core idea focuses on sustaining livelihoods during adverse events like cyclones or floods by building resilience through restored ecosystems and sustainable practices.”

“The canal, which was almost dead, has been revived, bunds strengthened, and water flow restored. Solar e-boats have also been introduced in the village while a Project Management Unit collects real-time data on climate impacts and water levels. Various other activities have also been planned, including solarisation of buildings, installation of rainwater harvesting, recycling and value addition for tribal communities.”