April 25, 2025 – Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, As part of its ongoing coastal ecosystem research, AMMACHI Labs’ Ocean Farming team at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham has completed a multi-site seagrass mapping and assessment effort across 12 coastal villages in and around Rameswaram. This initiative is a key component of the “Blue is the New Pink” campaign, which aims to foster sustainability and community empowerment through ocean-based innovations.

The extensive fieldwork revealed rich biodiversity in local seagrass meadows, identifying critical species such as Cymodocea serrulata, Halodule pinifolia, and Enhalus. These habitats are vital for supporting marine life and enhancing shoreline stability, playing an indispensable role in coastal resilience.

In addition to seagrass mapping, the team also recorded significant seaweed diversity across rocky seabeds, including abundant growths of Turbinaria, Sargassum, and Ulva. These findings further underline the ecological value of the region’s nearshore ecosystems.

A notable milestone in this project was the launch of a pilot restoration initiative in Thondi. Here, researchers employed an innovative, low-cost method using hand-crafted jute planting bags to restore seagrass in a shallow, undisturbed site. While the technique is still in its experimental stage, continuous monitoring will evaluate its effectiveness and scalability for similar coastal environments.

“This initiative strengthens our mission to empower communities through science, sustainability, and grassroots innovation,” said a spokesperson from AMMACHI Labs. “With local knowledge and ecological science, we aim to foster long-term stewardship of marine ecosystems.”

The project is being implemented by Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham with support from Transworld Group and Esri India.