BESTSELLER FUND has in collaboration with the Danish Tranquebar Association funded a protection of the whole coastline of Tranquebar Panchayat with a combination of stone revetments in the sea in front of Tranquebar town and a coastal plantation outside the town centre, which start where the stone protection ends.
20.000 plants turned into a park
Before the plantation could become a reality, the fund established a nursery run by a Women Self-help Group. They began collecting seeds of the local species and propagate them in accordance with the needs of the plantation plan. More than 20,000 plants of 20 local species have been planted. The plantation was and still is a major operation with fencing, planting and watering on several kilometers of the coast. This work is done by women from the Self-help Groups.
Safe, shade and cash
The Self-help Groups provide some protection for the tsunami affected people together with some very much needed cash for their work at the plantation and nursery. Also by securing this vulnerable area and creating a park area just south of the of the old Danish Fort Dansborg it is possible for both local inhabitants and tourists to go for a shady walk near the beautiful coastline.