As rising sea levels and unchecked development threaten India’s coastline, fishing communities in Tamil Nadu are rallying to protect a powerful natural defense: sand dunes. These towering formations have in the past shielded villages from tsunamis, like the one in 2004 that killed more than 10,000 people in India alone. 

The dunes also store freshwater, prevent seawater from infiltrating the groundwater and help guard against coastal erosion. Despite legal protections, illegal construction continues to erode these vital ecosystems, endangering livelihoods and water security. Local activists and fishermen are taking legal action to halt the destruction of the sand dunes and secure land rights. Their fight highlights the urgent need to preserve these natural barriers in the face of climate change.