Amrita Students, Indian Navy, and Local Leaders Join Forces to Restore Seagrass Ecosystems in Olaikuda

In a remarkable collaboration for marine conservation, 56 Social Work students from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham’s Amritapuri campus, the AMMACHI Labs Ocean Farming team, local leaders, and officers from the Indian Navy’s Rameswaram base united in Olaikuda to restore fragile seagrass ecosystems.

The initiative was inaugurated with a brief ceremony honoring the Navy and community leaders. Participants then received hands-on training in sustainable planting techniques under the expert guidance of Dr. Shalini Mathur, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham.

The Restoration Process:

• Preparing biodegradable pots with sand
• Planting three sprigs of local seagrass in each pot
• Embedding the pots firmly into the seabed
• Using mapping tools to ensure accurate coverage across zones

The Impact:

• Restoration of over 0.9 hectares (nearly 100,000 sq. ft.) of seagrass
• Hundreds of biodegradable pots planted within just two hours
• A united effort of science, students, community, and the Navy

Seagrasses are vital blue carbon ecosystems that absorb CO₂, stabilize coastlines, improve water quality, and provide nurseries for marine life. This large-scale effort demonstrates how collective action can protect biodiversity while empowering communities through sustainable practices.

Special recognition was given to Commanding Officer Dinesh Kumar of the Indian Navy’s Rameswaram base for mobilizing his team, as well as to local leaders, Panchayats, students, and staff for their unwavering support. Their shared commitment to sustainable development and marine conservation made this initiative both possible and deeply meaningful.