Networking | Mangrove Foundation of India

University & Research Partners

Academic & Research Collaborations

Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology

Deemed University — OMR, Chennai. Biodiversity research at Pulicat Lake — 120+ species identified in the wetland ecosystem through collaborative field surveys and academic programs.

SRM University

Deemed University — Kattankulathur, Chennai. World Mangrove Day 2025 event organised jointly with MFI, NCCR and Tamil Nadu Forest Department. CBEMR field research at Kovalam, ECR.

C. Abdul Hakeem College

Melvisharam, Vellore, Tamil Nadu. Biodiversity field studies and mangrove planting programs at Pulicat Lake — students actively participate in restoration activities.

Dr. MGR Fisheries College and Research Institute

Ponneri, Chennai. Marine and coastal fisheries research collaboration at Pulicat Lake — studying fishery ecology, sustainable harvesting, and coastal community livelihoods.

Anna University — Ocean Research Department

Chennai. Environmental science and coastal engineering research partnerships — field data collection, collaborative academic publications, and biodiversity monitoring at Pulicat.

Thaseem Beevi Abdul Kadhar College for Women

Keelakurai, Ramannad District, Tamil Nadu. Women's education and environmental awareness collaboration — MFI presents biodiversity and mangrove conservation programs.

SITE Women College

Chennai. Environmental science programs and student field visits — MFI presents mangrove conservation awareness, biodiversity education, and coastal ecology sessions.

Crescent University

Vandalur, Chennai. Large-scale student field visits to MFI's mangrove restoration sites at Pulicat Lake — biodiversity walks, mangrove planting, and conservation education.

International Researchers — USA & Global

Supporting and guiding wetland conservation initiatives that integrate livelihoods and climate change mitigation and adaptation for national and international researchers, educators, journalists, writers, and volunteers.

NGO & Voluntary Partners

NGO & Voluntary Organisation Network

🌿 Nizhal

Joint mangrove restoration at Kovalam, East Coast Road — native species planting and community engagement in urban coastal areas of Chennai.

🌿 Damooga Foundation

MFI's Mr. Meerasa serves as Mangrove Technical Consultant — providing CBEMR expertise and field guidance to this restoration initiative.

🌿 Project Alaiyathi

A million mangrove initiative — MFI provides technical leadership and field implementation expertise across multiple coastal sites.

🤝 SITE Women

Women's empowerment and livelihood collaboration — supporting SHG formation and skill development for fishing community women around Pulicat Lake.

🏫 Tamil Nadu Women Development Corporation

Formation and management of 450 SHGs across 1,000 villages in 17 panchayats — ongoing since 2000.

🏥 CReNIEO

Child resource centres and education support for children of fishing communities — MFI has been Project Coordinator since 1999.

🌿 Thaseem Beevi Community Group

Women's self-help and livelihood network in the Pulicat region — crab fattening, palmyra leaf handicrafts, and tailoring programs.

🌎 SCINDeA

Community-based conservation and livelihood program at Pulicat Lake since 2000 — integrating ecological stewardship with sustainable income generation.

🏫 BftW — Building for the World

Education initiative providing life skills, career guidance, and environmental awareness to youth in coastal Tamil Nadu communities.

🤝 Rotary Club Partners

Active philanthropic collaboration — supporting social causes, career guidance workshops, and youth empowerment programs through multiple Rotary Club chapters.

Community Partners

Community-Based Organisations (CBOs)

🏠 Tiruvallur District Fishermen Welfare Association

Founded by Mr. S. Meerasa in 2007 — the primary fishermen's welfare body for the Pulicat Lake region, advocating for fishing community rights and sustainable livelihoods.

🌿 Pulicat National Matri School

MFI has been Project Coordinator since 1999 — providing education and life-skills support to children of coastal fishing communities in the Pulicat area.

🤝 Self Help Groups (SHGs) — 450+ Groups

MFI has formed and manages 450+ SHGs across 1,000 villages in 17 panchayats — empowering women with savings, credit, and alternative livelihood skills.

🌎 Fishermen Village Committees

Village-level conservation committees across 40+ fishing villages around Pulicat Lake — trained in mangrove monitoring, tidal observation, and community patrolling.

🌿 Mangrove Nursery Groups

Community-run nursery collectives at 11 restoration sites — producing native species saplings, maintaining propagule banks, and conducting seasonal planting.

🏫 Youth Conservation Groups

MFI-supported youth groups in coastal villages — conducting beach clean-ups, biodiversity monitoring, and environmental awareness campaigns.

🐾 Biodiversity Watch Groups

Community volunteers trained in species identification, bird counting, and seasonal monitoring of Pulicat Lake's wetland biodiversity.

🎛 Relief Work Committees

Community networks mobilised during cyclone and flood events — MFI has coordinated relief support at Pulicat and in Assam, providing essential materials.

Government Partners

Government Partnerships & Institutional Recognition

🏛 MoEFCC — Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change

National Wetland Champion Award 2022 conferred to Mr. S. Meerasa at the Sahbhagita Workshop, NCCM, Chennai — the highest national recognition for wetland conservation.

🏛 Tamil Nadu State Government

State Green Champion Award 2023 — recognising MFI's leadership in mangrove restoration, lake rejuvenation, and community-based conservation across Tamil Nadu.

🏛 DCZMA — District Coastal Zone Management Authority, Tiruvallur

Mr. S. Meerasa appointed as Member (2024–2027) — contributing to coastal zone regulation, mangrove protection policy, and sustainable coastal governance.

🏛 Tamil Nadu Forest Department

Coordination on mangrove protection, site permissions, and community-based conservation monitoring across Pulicat Lake and the Buckingham Canal mangrove corridor.

🏛 Fisheries Department — Tamil Nadu & Andhra Pradesh

Collaboration on sustainable fisheries management, livelihood support programs, and crab fattening initiatives for fishing communities at Pulicat Lake.

🏛 NCCR — National Centre for Coastal Research, Chennai

Collaboration on coastal ecosystem research, mangrove monitoring, and scientific documentation of CBEMR outcomes at Pulicat Lake.

🏛 Revenue Department — Government of Tamil Nadu

Assignment committee collaboration for land use regulation, community entitlement issues, and mangrove site protection in Tiruvallur District.

🏛 District Vigilance & Monitoring Committee (SC/ST)

MFI represented through community social workers — advocating for vulnerable coastal communities and equitable access to government welfare schemes.

🏛 Nehru Yuva Kendra

District Youth Award connection — MFI works with NKY-recognised youth groups for coastal conservation and environmental awareness programs.

🏛 Verdax New Energy Pvt. Ltd.

Mr. Meerasa serves as Director — Agroforestry & Land Restoration, supporting scale-up of registered carbon credit projects (P. IDs 3560, 3572, 6101, 6111) Pan-India.

Academic Institutions