Reef Restoration with Punit Dhandhania, Kuddle Life Foundation
In this episode of The Fixers Podcast, host Amrita Kumar talks with Punit Dhandhania, founder of the Kuddle Life Foundation in India, about rebuilding ocean ecosystems one concrete block at a time. After diving on a traditional fishermen's reef made of sunken trees off the coast of Pondicherry, Amrita sits down with Punit to learn how artificial reefs are bringing marine life back to waters devastated by industrial bottom trawling.
Listeners will learn how artificial reefs work—from the first barnacles attaching within weeks to thriving ecosystems forming in just one year. This work matters: over half a billion people worldwide depend on coral reefs for food, income, and coastal protection—yet the capacity of reefs to provide these services has declined by 50% since the 1950s due to ocean warming. From fishermen who now catch 2.5 times more fish while using 80% less fuel, to India's government plan to deploy reefs across 3,500 coastal villages, Punit shares both the immediate economic impact and long-term vision for scaling this solution. He also addresses criticisms that artificial reefs are just a "band-aid," comparing them to hearing aids—not as good as the natural thing, but far better than nothing when coral reefs take thousands of years to grow back.
Punit emphasizes the biggest challenge isn't technical—it's bringing everyone along: convincing communities, government, and donors that this uncommon approach works, even when it means learning from failures.
Support the Mission: Visit kuddlelife.org to learn more about their work restoring marine ecosystems and supporting fishing communities across India. Follow them on Instagram @kuddlelifefoundation or visit their dive center at kuddlelife.com.
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