A New Underwater Meadow Along India’s East Coast

Why Is It Important?

Seagrasses are the world’s only flowering plants that thrive in salty seawater. These marine marvels act as carbon sinks and process carbon dioxide 35 per cent faster than tropical rainforests, making them vital in combating the climate crisis.

India’s seagrass meadows span 516.59 square kilometres (as of March 2022) and play a crucial role in sustaining marine life. Iconic species such as dugongs, seahawk turtles, green sea turtles, and nurseries for diverse fish depend on these habitats. Many of these species are listed between endangered and vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List, underlining the need for their conservation.

The Discovery

Sri Chakri Pranav, a marine biologist and founder of the East Coast Conservation Team (ECCT), has been searching for seagrass meadows along Andhra Pradesh’s coast with the help of Prachi Hatkar, seagrass expert, since his early field days. “There is documented evidence of seagrass patches north and south of our coastline, but it has been 25 years since the last study,” Pranav explained.

His breakthrough came in 2022 when Venkat, a 32-year-old local fisher, confirmed the presence of seagrass in Gachakayalapora’s lagoon off the coast of East Godavari district. “I had been speculating on the location as it had optimum seagrass supporting conditions, but no one had confirmed it. When Venkat shared his observations, I knew it was worth investigating,” Pranav said.

Armed with snorkelling gear and a rented boat, Pranav explored the lagoon with a fellow enthusiast. “I’ll never forget the first dive. Seeing the swaying green blades underwater was exhilarating,” he recalled. After several months of study, he identified two species of seagrass present at the lagoon: Halophila ovalis (“aaku gaddi”) and Syringodium isoetifolium (“choppa gaddi”).

Seagrasses thrive in shallow, sunny seabeds with minimal wave action. However, the lagoon where this meadow exists is a recent formation. “Until 2004, it was a muddy marsh. Over time, ocean currents washed away a sandbar, creating the lagoon,” Pranav explained. This transformation also altered the salinity, attracting new flora and fauna, including seagrasses.

Changing seascape

Venkat shared how the ecosystem’s changes eventually impacted local livelihoods. “Twenty years ago, we relied on mud crab fishing in the marsh. Once it transformed into a lagoon, more variety of fish and shrimp were available to fish in it. It automatically supported more families and livelihoods.” said Venkat. 

By 2013, aquaculture ponds had boomed around the lagoon. They eventually began discharging wastewater into the lagoon. Pranav also noted the dramatic shifts after his recent visit in 2024. “In 2013, the lagoon teemed with life, but the impacts of pollution and shifting sandbars is starting to show,” he said.

“A recent cyclone has now blocked the entry point for sea water as a new sandbar has formed there. The lagoon’s only source of water is now estuarine and freshwater which is not the most favourable for seagrassess to thrive. The sudden shift from salty seawater to freshwater has also impacted the fauna available in this body of water,” Pranav adds.

“Only one of the two seagrass species has survived in these altered conditions. I hope these conditions change by the monsoon (of 2025) as seagrasses could regrow in this area,” said Pranav. Despite the challenges, he remains hopeful.

An Ecosystem Under Threat

Industrialisation, overfishing, and warming oceans further jeopardise this habitat. The fragile ecosystem faces mounting pressures from human activity and climate change. The lagoon’s proximity to industrial zones, an oil rig, major ports, and harbours compounds its vulnerability.

“Initially, fishing was abundant, but it’s reduced drastically over the past eight months,” said Venkat. “Local fishers have resorted to working as daily-wage workers in aquaculture farms and cotton factories. They have also migrated to cities such as Hyderabad and Guntur due to the pollution of the lagoon” he added.

Amidst the loss of livelihood and migration, Venkat chose to stay back and work part-time as a turtle watcher with the forest department for additional income.

“Seagrass meadows often support local communities even more effectively than salt marshes by providing critical resources. They offer habitats for fish populations that many communities rely on for food and income, protect coastlines from erosion, and improve water quality. Their role in carbon storage and sustaining marine biodiversity directly benefits the health and resilience of coastal areas, making them invaluable for ecosystems and local livelihoods,” said Prachi Hatkar, a Wildlife Institute of India researcher.

The loss of seagrass meadows could have dire consequences not just on local populations. It also leads to reduced carbon sequestration, degraded fish nurseries, and declining populations of iconic species such as dugongs. “If we lose the seagrass, we lose a vital part of our marine ecosystem,” Pranav emphasised.

Call to Action

The discovery of the seagrass meadow offers hope for conservation but also underscores the urgent need for intervention. Strengthening regulations around aquaculture, mitigating industrial impacts, and raising awareness among local communities are critical steps.

For Venkat and his fellow fishers, preserving the lagoon isn’t just about ecology — it’s about securing their way of life. As he put it, “The lagoon is our lifeline. If we lose it, we lose everything”.

Meanwhile, Pranav recommends further studies of Andhra’s coastline for the presence of seagrasses, increased monitoring, and immediate protection of the area from damage from encroachment, industrial activities, and pollution. “I recommend making this a protected area as it has high potential. I also urge that the entry point from the sea be managed so the seagrasses can reclaim the area. The presence of seagrasses would start a chain-reaction. It would revive the local fisher economy once again because it would lead to the reappearance of rich marine life that seagrasses support,” Pranav concluded.