Chennai: To provide students and public with experiential learning opportunities to know about ecology, biodiversity and take up conservation activities, the state govt is setting up six Climate Resilience Centres (CRC) at a cost of ₹6 crore.An initiative proposed under the demands for grants of the environment and climate change department, announced by minister V K Rajeev on Monday, the centres will be set up in 5 districts — one each in Coimbatore, Cuddalore, Perambalur and Virudhunagar and two in Villupuram.“The centres will bring nature-based solutions to environmental problems, including waste management and wetland restoration in the districts. Locals will be involved in conservation activities and taught about the impacts of climate change and the importance of treating the environment better. Students can get in-person learning opportunities at the respective centres,” an official with the environment department said.In 2023, the department had commenced a project to develop such centres and a project management unit was subsequently set up at Killai, a panchayat near Pichavaram mangroves in Cuddalore district to carry out conservation activities. The govt tied up with WRI-India for the purpose.“From desilting of canals to cleaning waterways and setting up mangrove nurseries in Pichavaram, a series of activities were carried out in Killai. Works centred around livelihood, such as providing electric boats and promoting apiculture, were also carried out in the region,” said Nambi Appadurai, director, Climate Resilience program, WRI-India.The department plans on emulating activities carried out at Killai for the coastal districts (Cuddalore and Villupuram) where the centres would come up.
