Educate · Restore · Sustain

Rebuilding India's mangrove coastline, one village at a time.

Since 2018, the Mangrove Foundation of India has restored degraded wetlands around Pulicat Lake and across Pan-India — combining ecological restoration with women's empowerment, child education, and climate-resilient livelihoods.

Support Our Work Our Story

Mangrove restoration site at Pulicat Lake

Founded and led by Mr. Meerasa • National Wetland Champion Award, 2022 • State Green Champion Award, 2023 • Member, DCZMA, Tiruvallur (2024–27)

🌿 Founder's Vision

“Not Just A Plant — Building Hope and Sustainable Livelihoods for One Million Families”

S. Meerasa, Founder & CEO, MFI
National Award: Wetland Champion 2022, Govt. of India
State Green Champion Award 2023, Tamil Nadu

Every sapling planted is a promise of a better tomorrow. Our vision is to empower one million families with dignified livelihoods through community-led mangrove restoration, agroforestry, and bamboo plantations.

🌿 Core Work

Mangrove Restoration Projects

MFI works with coastal communities to restore, protect, and sustainably manage mangrove ecosystems, particularly in the Pulicat Lake and Buckingham Canal regions. Since 2007, MFI has supported protection of 1,000+ hectares of mangrove habitat and planted 5 lakh+ saplings across 11 sites covering nine native species.

MFI follows a Community-Based Ecological Mangrove Restoration (CBEMR) approach — combining tidal-water restoration, removal of invasive species, canal creation, nursery development, and long-term community monitoring. More than 350 restoration canals developed.

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🌿 Bamboo

A Million Bamboo Initiatives

MFI's Community-Led Bamboo Plantation Project focuses on large-scale bamboo cultivation as a nature-based solution for climate resilience, carbon sequestration, land restoration, and sustainable rural livelihoods.

A major project targets approximately 1 million bamboo plants across 1,700 hectares, benefiting around 4,200 farmers — generating multiple income opportunities while contributing to carbon sequestration and biodiversity restoration.

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🌿 Carbon Credits

Agroforestry Carbon Credit Projects

MFI promotes community-led agroforestry integrating fruit trees, timber species, and agricultural land — helping farmers generate long-term income while improving soil health, biodiversity, and climate resilience.

Projects cover approximately 2,600 hectares across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka, with nearly 6,000 farmers benefiting. Registered under recognised carbon standards (P. IDs: 3560, 3572, 6101 & 6111) since 2018.

Upcoming: Community-Led Agroforestry Project (2026–2031), targeting ~5,000 hectares including large-scale mango-based agroforestry in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh.

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🌿 Lake Restoration

MFI — Yamaha Lake Eco-Restoration

MFI, with the support of India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd., is implementing community-based lake restoration projects in the Sriperumbudur region of Tamil Nadu — focusing on lake rejuvenation, water storage, groundwater recharge, native vegetation, biodiversity, and climate resilience.

Projects: Ottentangal Lake (2024–2026) and Vadakal Lake (2025–2027).

🏫 Education

Environmental & Climate Education

MFI promotes environmental education to inspire children, youth, and communities to protect nature and build a sustainable future. Through awareness programmes, field visits, plantation activities, and practical learning, MFI creates understanding about mangroves, wetlands, biodiversity, climate change, and sustainable livelihoods.

Collaborating with institutions like Sathyabama University, Dr. MGR Fisheries University, SRM University, Women's Christian College, C. Abdul Hakeem College, and more for biodiversity study, identifying over 120 different species in the Pulicat wetland ecosystem.

University Partnerships

🤝 Livelihoods

Livelihood Support Programmes

MFI supports coastal, rural, and farming communities by connecting environmental restoration with sustainable livelihood opportunities — working with local communities, farmers, women's groups, and Self Help Groups to develop income-generating activities linked to natural-resource conservation.

Initiatives include agroforestry, mangrove-based livelihoods, bamboo plantation, crab fattening, palm-leaf handicrafts, and community-based enterprises. Women and SHGs are encouraged to participate actively in livelihood activities and enterprise development.

What We Do

🌎 Coastal Care

Beach & Coastal Cleaning Programmes

MFI conducts beach and coastal cleaning initiatives to protect marine ecosystems, reduce plastic pollution, and promote responsible waste management. Through community participation, volunteer engagement, and environmental awareness, MFI removes plastic, fishing waste, and solid waste from beaches and coastal habitats.

“Clean Coastlines Today — Healthy Oceans for Future Generations.”

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🏫 Child Development

Child Resource Centres

MFI provided play materials to Child Resource Centres (CRCs) in the Pulicat region to support children's overall development through safe, enjoyable, and meaningful recreational activities — creating child-friendly spaces where children learn, play, interact, and develop physical, social, emotional, and creative skills.

Materials include age-appropriate indoor and outdoor games, educational play items, sports equipment, puzzles, and recreational resources that complement educational and life-skills activities.

Get Involved

Volunteer Events & Activities

Volunteers engage in mangrove plantation, nursery development, coastal cleaning, lake restoration, biodiversity conservation, agroforestry, and environmental awareness programmes.

Become a Volunteer

❤ Relief Work

MFI Relief Work — Pulicat & Assam

MFI has extended relief support to vulnerable and affected communities in Pulicat, Tamil Nadu, and Assam during times of need — providing essential relief materials to families affected by difficult weather conditions and floods.

These initiatives reflect MFI's commitment to community welfare, climate resilience, and timely support for vulnerable communities across India.

Get Involved

Three ways to stand with MFI.

Volunteer

Join planting drives and school programs across the Pulicat region.

Become a Volunteer

Donate

Fund sapling nurseries, SHG training, and Child Resource Centres.

Make a Donation

Partner

CSR partnerships, carbon credit programs, joint restoration projects.

Start a Partnership