State launches five-year ‘Great Green Wall’ to protect Visakhapatnam coast

To safeguard the coastline from cyclones, the state government has launched a five-year ‘Great Green Wall’ program. The region often faces storms from the Bay of Bengal, with strong winds and high waves damaging homes, infrastructure, and communication networks, while coastal erosion threatens the city’s beach road.

The Visakhapatnam Circle Forest Department will implement the program by planting palm trees in the front row, followed by cassava, cashew on farmers’ lands, and mangroves in suitable areas.

The initiative covers a 344-kilometre stretch from Ichchapuram to Payakaraopeta, including around 8,000 hectares of forest land and additional adjacent lands managed by the revenue department. A green belt five kilometres wide will be developed from the shoreline inland.

For the first row, 2.5 lakh palm saplings have been prepared, sourced from Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam. Palm trees, which grow up to 50 feet, tolerate strong winds and salt-laden air, and have historically shielded the coast during cyclones such as Diviseema.

Cassava will form the second row, with 20 lakh saplings to be planted this year, increasing to 30–40 lakh in the following years. Cashew cultivation will be promoted on farmers’ plots, while mangroves will be established in suitable locations in Srikakulam. The project, supported through central and state schemes, will require an estimated Rs 500 crore over five years.

Visakha Circle Conservator B.Mohamed Diwan Mydeen said a detailed action plan has been drawn for the program. “The palm and cassava plantations will help protect the coast by reducing erosion and limiting damage from storm winds,” he said.