Chennai: A once-polluted stretch of the Buckingham Canal at Kazhipattur has now turned into a thriving mangrove forest under the Green Tamil Nadu Mission. Spanning nearly 250m, the state forest department planted 12,500 mangrove saplings from five different species last year.These saplings have now matured into a lush green cover.Environment department secretary Supriya Sahu said that to support the saplings and improve water flow, they used the ‘fishbone’ technique — creating seven main structures with 87 channels and 80 distribution canals. “The sewage outflow was plugged years ago, and volunteers were roped in to monitor the growth of saplings. They, along with officials, took care of the saplings and recorded their growth,” she said.She added that the mangroves will act as a buffer in the coastal areas, particularly near the Muttukkadu region, and prevent flooding during the rising of sea levels.The initiative was led by Chennai forest officer V A Saravanan and his team. Officials said the mangroves also help capture carbon, support biodiversity, and prevent land degradation. Some types of mangroves planted include avicennia marina, which is the most abundant species, followed by rhizophora apiculata, rhizophora mucronata, bruguiera cylindrica, and aegiceras corniculatum.Sahu said they mapped the state’s coastal mangrove cover through the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management. “We have identified potential areas where fresh planting is required, including Cuddalore and Ennore,” she said, adding that at Ennore 1.6 lakh mangrove saplings will be planted along the Kosasthalaiyar Estuary and surrounding areas.She added that a mangrove protection community will be created to monitor this. The city saw among the lowest plantation efforts — just 18 hectares over the past 10 years. Fishermen from Ennore said mangrove success in the estuary will only be possible if the release of coolant water from thermal plants is stopped.“The Ennore estuary is polluted with chemicals released by industries while the Tangedco plant is releasing its coolant water. The water cannot sustain any form of life. TNPCB must rein in all the industries,” said M Raja, a fishermen community leader from Kattukuppam.