Great Green Wall (GGW) of Andhra Pradesh

Why in news?

The Andhra Pradesh state government has planned to develop the Great Green Wall along its coastline to mitigate the impact of natural phenomena.

• GGW – It is an ecological project with a front row of wind- and salt-tolerant trees, to create a 5-kilometer-wide "living ecological shield" along its 1,053-kilometer coastline by 2030.
• Andhra Pradesh is considered one of India’s most climate-vulnerable States, with more than 3.30 million people living within 5-km of the coast facing frequent cyclones, floods, and rising sea levels.
• Aim – To protect coastal communities and ecosystems from environmental threats such as cyclones, floods, and erosion.

The 32% of the Andhra Pradesh’s coastline to be actively eroding and the shorelines of the Krishna and Godavari estuaries critically vulnerable.

Andhra Pradesh has been assessed as the 4^th most affected States in India in coastal erosion.

• 3 components of GGW –
  • Seaward edge – Consisting of mangroves that will absorb tidal energy and reduce storm surge impacts, and shelterbelts in the non–estuarine areas.
  • Wind breaks – Made of canal bund and roadside avenue plantations, and
  • Community buffer – Having agroforestry and community plantations.
• Multiple source funding – Funds were drawn from
  • Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS),
  • Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority of India (CAMPA),
  • Green Credit Program of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change,
  • District Mineral Funds,  and
  • International Climate Finance.
• Inspired from – The GGW drawing its inspiration from similar global and domestic projects like Africa's Great Green Wall and the Aravalli Green Wall Project.
• Expected benefits
  • Reduced damage from storms & cyclones for coastal infrastructure and settlements.
  • Stabilised beaches/coastline and reduced erosion, salt-water intrusion etc.
  • Enhanced biodiversity in coastal zones (mangrove habitats, refuge for birds, fish fry etc).
  • Carbon sink benefits via increased vegetation cover.
  • Social/economic benefits: greening jobs, community participation, improved livelihoods.

References

1. The Hindu | Great Green Wall (GGW) of Andhra Pradesh
2. Realty+ Magazine | Andhra Pradesh to Build Great Green Wall