Sand dune Conservation Volunteering program in Rameswaram Nov 2025
Arulagam is implementing a sand dune conservation programme in close collaboration with The Tamil Nadu State Forest Department and the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Board, with the financial and technical support of UNDP/GEF/SGP/TERI and with the participation of the local community.
On November 22 and 23, 2025, a team of 29 volunteers from State Street Corporation (Coimbatore) successfully contributed volunteer service conducted on Rameswaram Island.
The team took part in a beach clean-up at Kurusadai Island, where they collected more than 500 kilograms of plastic waste, including bottles, sachets, and discarded fishing nets. Arulagam received technical support from the Tamil Nadu State Forest Department and M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) for waste recovery. The collected plastic is now being creatively transformed into tourist-oriented artwork, giving the discarded materials a meaningful second life while spreading awareness about sustainability.
The State Street Environmental Committee donated 500 saplings for the conservation carried out by Arulagam. The volunteers participated in sand dune-associated plantation activities at Malligai Nagar, on land managed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Board. They successfully planted 500 saplings, including creepers, bushes, and medium-sized trees, and applied mulching to aid growth.
The team also visited Arulagam’s Neithal Nursery, where Mr. Amirthalingam oriented the volunteers on the work carried out there. They learned propagation methods and planting techniques suitable for sandy environments. Mr. Shahid also delivered an informative session on the Tarantula spider species endemic to Rameswaram Island.
The intricate aspects of sand-based plantation were explained by Mrs. Kavitha Bharathidasan, Arulagam’s nursery manager.
Ms. Nilitha R. welcomed the gathering, after which all volunteers took the sand dune conservation pledge, which was led by Mr. Natarajan and overseen by Mr. S. Bharathidasan, Secretary of Arulagam. The event concluded with Mr. John Jabez conveying the vote of thanks.
