Green Resilient Rameswaram

"Green Resilient Rameswaram" is a multistakeholder initiative to conserve the rich heritage of the pilgrim island Rameshwaram and preserve its ecology and marine biodiversity.

About Rameshwaram

It is 570 Kms from the State Capital Chennai. A small Island and Major Pilgrim Centre in the Gulf of Mannar. It is connected to the mainland by Pamban Bridge. On his return from Ceylon after Ravana Yudhdham in Lanka, Sri Rama offered his repentance prayer to Lord Siva to absolve his sins that he had committed by Slaying Ravana. 22 Holy theertham [wells] are in the temple, It is believed that number of wells denotes 22 arrows in Rama's quiver.

The Ramanathaswamy temple is renowned for its magnificent corridors and massive sculptured pillars. The third corridor of Ramanathaswamy temple is the longest one in the world. Beautiful beaches at Olaikuda, Danushkodi and Pamban are other attractions apart from the religious point of view. Commercial Deep Sea fishing Sea Cucumber, Lobster and Conch collection are the main economic activities of Rameswaram.

About the initiative

Building Green Resilient Rameswaram is an endeavour of the District Administration. It has facilitated multiple interventions through its various departments under Island Development committee towards building security in water, energy, health, livelihood , waste management and for women empowerment.

Shallow aquifers in coastal areas and sea water intrusion calls for source augmentation tapping possible water resources. Building water security through addressing the water needs of stakeholders has been taken up through  revival, rehabilitatation and rejuvenation of traditional water bodies (Teerthams).  Local stakeholders were involved in identifying the lost living heritages namely Teerthams. Technologies using the phytoremediation process were used to enhance the water quality besides using micro organisms. To enhance the availability of water in lean periods, desiliting and deepening process built on the cultural values of the island were taken up.

Building Energy security for the people for managing the green cover was called for through promotion of renewable energy. Ramanathapuram district has immense potential for tapping solar power. The biggest solar plant is installed (648 MWp) in Kamuthi, Ramanathapuram District. Dhanushkodi is located on the tip of Pamban island and is separated from mainland by Palk Strait. Traditional fisherman living in the area has been provided with Solar Lights. In the Rameswaram Island, Biogas plants was installed for managing the vegetable wastes to generate gas for domestic cooking resulting in reducing the drudgery of women in collection of firewood. Resource centre housing the solar photovoltaic for producing electricity ( DC micro grid technology) and Anaerobic digester installed in Amma Unavagam were also taken up to enable people use the alternative energy sources. 

Clean and Green Rameswaram Swachh Sankalp

Building Clean and Green Rameswaram is an endeavour of the district administration through the municipality, Thangachimadam and Pamban panchayat as it has high floating population. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan activities are designed to benefit the natives and piligrims. Activities such as door to door waste collection, segregation of the wastes by the natives and commercial estabilishments are being taken up. In order to save the environment, use of plastics has been banned.

These efforts, in the long run are conducive in mitigating the effects of Climate change to avoid extremities of the natural disasters.