Amid the verdant mangrove region, straddling the Vellar and Coleroon (Kollidam) estuaries in Pichavaram, a new conservation-based livelihood initiative integrating tribal welfare, biodiversity conservation and climate resilience is taking shape.

Implemented by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department through the Eco-Tourism Management Committee (ETMC) under the Climate Resilient Village (CRV) initiative with financial assistance from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) under the TRIBES scheme, the initiative aims to create sustainable livelihoods for the Irula tribal community living on the forest fringes while strengthening mangrove conservation.

The project is funded by NABARD at an outlay of ₹25.37 lakh.

According to Cuddalore Collector Sibi Adhithya Senthil Kumar, “The initiative builds on the centuries-old association of the Irula tribal community with the Pichavaram mangrove ecosystem. Traditionally dependent on fishing, crab collection and wild honey gathering, Irula families will now be equipped with scientific beekeeping practices, enabling them to diversify their livelihoods while conserving the mangrove ecosystem.”

What is the project all about?

As many as 250 bee boxes will be installed across the mangrove ecosystem to promote sustainable rural livelihoods while conserving ecologically sensitive mangrove landscapes. The initiative is designed to support 100 Irula tribal households, or about 200 beneficiaries, by turning mangrove-based beekeeping into a structure, eco-friendly source of earnings.

It includes a three-phase training system covering basic training, reskilling and upskilling through eight programmes, and aims to build a pool of trained beekeepers, women-led micro-enterprises and youth eco-livelihood leaders, he added.

According to S. Manivel, Green Fellow, Department of Environment and Climate Change, “Beyond honey production, the project adopts an end-to-end value chain encompassing scientific beekeeping, honey extraction, hygienic processing, quality testing, value addition, branding, eco-friendly packaging and market linkages.

Marketing

The honey will be marketed under the premium brand ‘Pichavaram Mangrove Honey’ through eco-shops, tourism outlets, exhibitions and digital platforms, enhancing it market value and ensuring better returns for tribal producers.”

Besides generating sustainable livelihoods, the initiative is expected to enhance pollination, support natural mangrove regeneration, strengthen biodiversity and improve the ecological resilience of the Ramsar-listed Pichavaram mangrove ecosystem.

It also focuses on building the capacities of Irula women and youth through structured training and entrepreneurship development, making conservation an integral part of community development.

According to Sasikumar, assistant general manager, NABARD, “The selected families will be assured of a diversified income beyond seasonal fishing besides establishment of a premium local brand for honey.”

According to a Forest Department official, “Envisaged as a replicable model for coastal ecosystems, the project seeks to demonstrate how indigenous knowledge, scientific innovation and institutional support can together promote sustainable rural livelihoods while conserving ecologically sensitive mangrove landscapes.”