Tuticorin: The Department of Forests will carry out a Centre-sponsored project for conservation and management of Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve on an estimated outlay of Rs.50 lakh during this financial year. Speaking to The Hindu, L. Nadhan, District Forest Officer, said that the project was aimed at augmenting the infrastructure and income generation activities along the coastal villages of the district thereby reduce the dependency of fishermen on the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere for their livelihood. The move, according to him, would help the authorities concerned to preserve the opulent marine resources in the Mannar region and prevent endangered species from extinction. As part of the project, the department would raise shelterbelt plantations comprising casuarinas, amla and neem on 100 hectares of coastal patta land situated within 10 km from the High Tide Line (HTL) and establish three horticulture gardens at Udangudi, Vilathikulam and Tharuvaikulam areas. It was also planned to dibble 60,000 palymrah nuts along the coastal areas. "The entire revenue from these cultivations will be pooled into the resources of eco development committees (EDC) functioning in the village panchayats covered under the scheme,' Mr. Nadhan said. The revenue thus obtained could be used by the EDCs for community development programmes and forcreation of employment for the villagers. Under the scheme, two