Context:
Andhra Pradesh government has decided to establish a “Great Green Wall of Andhra Pradesh” to combat coastal erosion and protect livelihoods along its 1,038 km coastline.
Key Highlights / Details:
- The project involves the creation of a five-km-wide green wall along the Andhra coast by 2030.
- Aims to act as a “living ecological shield” protecting coastal regions from sea-level rise, cyclones, and soil erosion.
- The initiative also targets enhanced biodiversity, climate resilience, and sustainable development.
- It aligns with national objectives under India’s Green Wall initiative to prevent desertification and degradation.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ): Governed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to regulate activities near coastal areas.
- Mangroves: Act as natural bio-shields against coastal erosion and storms.
- India’s Green Wall Project: Proposed to restore degraded land along the Aravalli range from Gujarat to Delhi.
Relevant Mains Points:
- GS Paper 3 (Environment): Role of green infrastructure in coastal protection and ecosystem restoration.
- GS Paper 1 (Geography): Coastal processes and the impact of anthropogenic activities on shoreline stability.