Pallikaranai marshland: Concern over wetland development - The Hindu
Pallikaranai marshland: Concern over wetland development
THE HINDU
Officials say a government complex will come up on 11 acres, classified
as ‘tharisu’ (unassessed dry waste) land, on property that belongs to
the revenue department — Photo: G. Krishnaswamy
Officials say a government complex will come up on 11 acres, classified
as ‘tharisu’ (unassessed dry waste) land, on property that belongs to
the revenue department — Photo: G. Krishnaswamy
PWD conducted soil tests near Pallikaranai marsh, recently
Environmentalists are up in arms against the public
works department (PWD) for conducting soil tests in Sholinganallur, near
the Pallikaranai marshland, for the construction of a complex to house
government offices.
works department (PWD) for conducting soil tests in Sholinganallur, near
the Pallikaranai marshland, for the construction of a complex to house
government offices.
According to members of Nature
Trust, PWD has begun testing soil near Perumbakkam Lake opposite the
special economic zone (SEZ) on Perumbakkam Main Road, close to
Sholinganallur intersection.
Trust, PWD has begun testing soil near Perumbakkam Lake opposite the
special economic zone (SEZ) on Perumbakkam Main Road, close to
Sholinganallur intersection.
“Many NGOs have been
fighting for several years, urging the State government to protect
whatever is left of the southern-most corner of Pallikaranai marshland.
Perumbakkam wetland serves as a temporary home to several migratory and
rare birds,” says K.V.R.K. Thirunaran of Nature Trust.
fighting for several years, urging the State government to protect
whatever is left of the southern-most corner of Pallikaranai marshland.
Perumbakkam wetland serves as a temporary home to several migratory and
rare birds,” says K.V.R.K. Thirunaran of Nature Trust.
However,
officials say they are not destroying the protected wetland and that
the government complex will come up on 11 acres of land classified as
‘tharisu’ (unassessed dry waste) land, part of 70 hectares that belong
to the revenue department.
officials say they are not destroying the protected wetland and that
the government complex will come up on 11 acres of land classified as
‘tharisu’ (unassessed dry waste) land, part of 70 hectares that belong
to the revenue department.
Even the 377 acres, on
which the SEZ located on the opposite side stands, belongs to the same
classification. Only rainwater stagnates there during the monsoon and it
is not part of the marshland, says a PWD official. The soil tests were
taken up only after a government circular was issued, he says.
which the SEZ located on the opposite side stands, belongs to the same
classification. Only rainwater stagnates there during the monsoon and it
is not part of the marshland, says a PWD official. The soil tests were
taken up only after a government circular was issued, he says.
An
initial estimated amount of Rs. 2 crore has been allotted for
constructing the building that will house the office of the
Sholinganallur tahsildar (now functioning from a rented building), a
sub-treasury and other government offices.
initial estimated amount of Rs. 2 crore has been allotted for
constructing the building that will house the office of the
Sholinganallur tahsildar (now functioning from a rented building), a
sub-treasury and other government offices.
There is
hardly any vacant plot along Rajiv Gandhi Salai (IT corridor) for
constructing additional school buildings, say officials. For instance,
the Panchayat Union Primary School in Perungudi was recently upgraded to
a middle school, but there is no space to build any structures further.
hardly any vacant plot along Rajiv Gandhi Salai (IT corridor) for
constructing additional school buildings, say officials. For instance,
the Panchayat Union Primary School in Perungudi was recently upgraded to
a middle school, but there is no space to build any structures further.
