Thondi, Tamil Nadu – June 8, 2025 — In honor of World Ocean Day, the Ocean Farming Team at AMMACHI Labs, in collaboration with Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, led a dynamic seagrass restoration initiative in Thondi Village, bringing together over 60 students and 10 faculty members from the Live-in-Labs® program, along with student participants from the University of Arizona.

The event began with an educational orientation where participants learned about the crucial ecological role of seagrasses in maintaining marine biodiversity, their vulnerability to climate and human-induced changes, and the urgent need for their conservation. The session highlighted how seagrasses act as natural carbon sinks, support marine life, and protect coastal areas.

Participants then received hands-on training in restoration techniques, including jute bag planting and direct shoot transplantation. With high levels of engagement and enthusiasm, the teams successfully carried out the seagrass planting along the village’s coastal stretch, demonstrating a strong commitment to ecological stewardship.

This initiative is part of the larger campaign “Blue is the New Pink”, a flagship project by AMMACHI Labs under Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, aimed at promoting gender-inclusive environmental action and sustainable marine practices.

The event was made possible through the generous support of the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP), implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India.

This collaborative and immersive experience not only contributed to the local ecosystem but also empowered students with practical knowledge and a sense of global responsibility toward marine conservation.