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Andhra Pradesh is taking a bold step to protect its long coastline from cyclones, floods, and environmental degradation. The state government, under the leadership of Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan, has announced the creation of a 5-kilometre-wide “Great Green Wall of Andhra Pradesh” (GGW) by 2030. This initiative aims to safeguard lives, protect property, and strengthen the state’s climate resilience.
The GGW is envisioned as a living ecological shield along Andhra Pradesh’s 1,053-km coastline, designed to protect more than three million residents living in coastal areas. Beyond safeguarding people, the project also seeks to promote biodiversity, sustainable development, and climate adaptation. By combining ecological restoration with economic opportunities, the GGW aims to be both protective and productive.
Multi-Layered Coastal Protection
The Great Green Wall will feature a multi-layered buffer zone. It will include mangroves along the seaward edge, shelterbelt plantations in non-estuarine areas, inland vegetation, and even sand dunes. These natural barriers are expected to absorb tidal energy, reduce the impact of cyclones and storm surges, stabilize shorelines, and support livelihoods. Initiatives such as eco-tourism and sustainable fisheries are also planned, allowing communities to benefit economically while strengthening coastal resilience.
The project involves the restoration of around one lakh hectares of green cover. Andhra Pradesh is among India’s most climate-vulnerable states, with over 3.3 million people living within 5 km of the coast. Frequent cyclones, floods, and rising sea levels have caused significant economic losses and threatened human lives. Coastal erosion is a major concern, with official assessments showing that 32% of the state’s shoreline is actively eroding. The estuaries of the Krishna and Godavari rivers are particularly vulnerable. Experts warn that extreme sea-level rise could affect 282 villages, putting over a million people at risk of displacement and economic instability.
Components of the Great Green Wall
The GGW has been designed with three main components. The first is the seaward edge, consisting of mangroves to absorb tidal energy and reduce storm surge impact, along with shelterbelts in non-estuarine regions. The second component involves windbreaks, made of canal bunds and roadside avenue plantations that reduce wind speed and protect inland areas. The third is a community buffer, which incorporates agroforestry and community plantations, engaging local communities and promoting sustainable livelihoods.
Funding and Implementation
The ambitious project will be funded through multiple sources. These include the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority of India (CAMPA), the Green Credit Program of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, District Mineral Funds, and International Climate Finance.
The Great Green Wall represents a visionary approach to coastal management. By combining natural infrastructure with community participation and sustainable economic activities, Andhra Pradesh is creating a model for climate adaptation that could inspire other coastal states. The GGW is not just about trees and plantations—it’s about building a resilient, biodiverse, and economically vibrant coastline that can withstand the challenges of a changing climate while enhancing the livelihoods of millions of residents.
With the GGW, Andhra Pradesh aims to transform its coastline into a robust, living barrier that protects both people and nature, ensuring a safer, greener, and more sustainable future for its coastal communities.
