A Nagapattinam village has created a 6km “living wall” of seven lakh palm seedlings to protect its coastline from cyclones, sea erosion and high tides. Launched under MGNREGS in 2020, the community-led effort draws on memories of the 2004 tsunami and cyclone Gaja. With a 90% survival rate, the palm barrier is emerging as a model for climate resilience in Tamil Nadu.