 Out of the total area of 740 km2, 47.22 km2 has been declared as protected area under Section 26 of Tamil Nadu Forest Act.In the northern parts where brackish water could be found, attempts are made to dig up channels in fish-bone design and mangroves species such as rhizhophora and avicennia have been planted in extents varying from 50 to 100 ha annually.In the southernmost portions where seasonal water flow is available, plantations have been raised in total barren areas with appropriate species through schemes such as Tamil Nadu Afforestation Project and the National Afforestation Project.