By Enersider Desk | New Delhi
The World Bank has approved a $212 million project to help protect the coastlines of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka while creating new jobs for 100,000 people.
India’s vast coastline, home to 250 million people and thousands of species, is under threat from erosion, pollution, and extreme weather. The new initiative, called the Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy (SHORE) Project, aims to tackle these challenges.
The project will fund the conservation of 30,000 hectares of marine areas by planting mangroves and restoring sand dunes and coral reefs. This will help protect habitats for vulnerable species like turtles and dugongs. A major focus will also be on reducing plastic pollution through public awareness campaigns and improved waste management, benefiting 120,000 residents.
A key goal is to boost local economies. The program will provide skills training for 70,000 people, including many women, for new jobs in sustainable sectors like eco-tourism. This effort is part of a larger $850 million program to support India’s “blue economy” and help coastal communities thrive.
“This Project will help states tap into private sector sources to mitigate the impacts of plastic pollution and to foster eco-tourism,” said Paul Procee, the World Bank’s Acting Country Director for India.
The loan for this first phase has favorable terms, with a 23-year maturity and a 6.5-year grace period.
Image Credits : ANI
