Unchecked burning of garbage and tyres at Pallikarnai marshland has affected the avian population in the locality, observe ecologists who are now concerned about migration of birds and their nesting season.
Civic activists also complain that the state government has failed to take adequate measures to protect Pallikarnai from severe water and air pollution.
The City Corporation and Pallavaram Municipality is dumping close to 2,000 tonnes of hazardous garbage in the core areas of the marshland daily.
According to Tambaram Fire department sources, burning tyres has become popular among anti-socials for two reasons. To keep them warm while drinking and to collect the iron remnants from the burnt tyres.
It was a sad sight with migratory birds flying from one corner to another due to thick smoke during a fire that broke out last Sunday night. Such incidents were taking place on a regular basis as fire spreads from one garbage mound to another, sources said.
“Pollution in any form would affect bird population and their migration. The situation would be worse for residing birds like Moorhens and Jacanas that nest in the Pallikarnai marsh”, said Mr K.V. Sudhakar, president, Madras Naturalists Society.
“As many as 5,000 Black Wing stilts and hundreds of Little Egrets and Pelicans are now recorded at the Pallikarnai marsh.
The state Forest secretary is in fact keen on rejuvenating the marsh and bird census studies are underway. But burning of garbage might adversely affect the sensitive habitat,” said Mr K.V.R.K Thirunaranan, founder, The Nature Trust.
When contacted, Conservator of Forests Mr Kalyana Sundaram said he would immediately instruct Forest Range Officers to look in to the issue.
Corporation commissioner Mr P.W.C. Davidar said that burning of garbage was prevented within the yard maintained by the corporation.
Mr V. Santhanam, president, Federation of Pallavaram Residents Welfare Association said that the ecology of the area had been affected due to the frequent burning of garbage and dumping of waste by the city corporation and the Pallavaram municipality. The residents in Pallikarnai suffered respiratory ailments due to this, he added.
