Chennai: Two ambitious pet projects of former chief ministers J. Jayalalithaa and M. Karunanidhi? Pallikaranai marsh restoration and conservation of Adyar Poonga— are now facing a slow death, thanks to the non-cooperation of government departments, including Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu (Elcot), Chennai metro water and the Chennai corporation to check sewage pollution. Foresters vested with the job of protecting the marshland and eco park are now running from pillar to post urging Elcot and civic authorities to arrest the draining of sewer and dumping of garbage in the protected areas.
According to Tamil Nadu forest department sources, the corporate companies functioning on special economic zone premises of the Electronic Corporation of Tamil Nadu, India has allowed the illegal stay of about 150 migrant workers near the Pallikaranai protected marshland. These workers are now staying in temporary sheds without toilet facilities and sewage lines.
The grey water from temporary sheds is drained into the Pallikaranai defeating the restoration works carried by the forest department. Besides the stormwater drains constructed by the corporation and the drainage lines of Chennai metro water are also letting the untreated sewer into the marsh, which is a home to more than 100 migratory bird species, foresters said.
Sludge being emptied into Pallikaranai
“Due to water pollution, bird watchers and trackers are noticing the sudden death of fishes and frogs in and around Pallikaranai marsh and if this pollution is not arrested the wetland will again turn into a wasteland”, explained K.V.R.K. Thirunaranan, bird watcher and founder of The Nature Trust.
Further, birds and fresh water fishes are hypersensitive to chemicals and this ecological damage will have long-term effects, he added.
“The then industries secretary C.V. Shankar instructed Elcot authorities not to disturb the ecology of marshland. Understanding the significance of Pallikaranai marshland the top officer also returned several hectares of land back to the forest department, but now there are proposals for constructing new concrete structures and walls within the Pallikaranai core and buffer zone threatening its ecology”, said an informed IFS officer.
Information technology department secretary T.K. Ramachandran, who is also the chairman of Elcot, was unavailable for comment. Field officials with Chennai corporation said that they would look into the issue.
Adyar Poonga- Phase II extension on snail pace
Even as 90 per cent of the water bodies in Greater Chennai including parts of Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur dried up this May due to severe drought, Adyar Poonga, restored during the DMK regime by the then Chief Minister Karunandhi, withstood drought supporting flora and fauna due to a fresh water lake inside the Poonga. But the project which has tasted the success in its first phase in 2007 is yet to the see the completion of its second phase proposed to an extent of 300 hectares.
Garbage dumped along the walls of the Adyar Poonga.
Poor water quality in the river Adyar is the major reason for the degradation of the Adyar estuary and creek, but in the past seven years nothing has been done to improve the quality of water in Adyar. Untreated waste water discharged into the river and the estuary from the drains within Chennai Metropolitan Area had also made matters worse for Adyar Poonga hanging its extension plans.
Current status of projects
Visits by DC showed indiscriminate dumping of sewage through drainage and stormwater drains defeating the state policy to restore wetlands. Both the former CMs, back then, insisted on protecting wetlands as the water bodies will help Chennai to withstand floods during monsoon. Jayalalithaa took an aerial survey in helicopter to ascertain the damage to Pallikaranai and Karunanidhi made it clear to remove the encroachments near Adyar estuary to ensure that there is no water logging in south Chennai, but both the projects are now
suffering without cooperation from other departments. In case of Adyar Poonga, the peripheral areas of the Poonga is used as dumpyard by the local residents. Waste and debris are also seen dumped along the compound wall of Poonga.
Popular species in Adyar poonga and Pallikaranai
Both the wetlands support similar bird species and small mammals.
Adyar Poonga is a home to a few jackal and good number of pelicans. Poonga according to its staff has recorded over 40 migratory bird species including a dozen permanently roosting and nesting.
In case of Pallikaranai, the locality is famous among birders, as the number of bird specie sightings has crossed more than 140 species so far. The wetland is also a home to about ten fresh water fish species including ganbusia which feeds heavily on mosquito larvae. The wetland also supports large number of tilapia and cyprinidae fish species (Jilappi and Kendai in Tamil) and is a home to raptors like falcons and eagles.
Foresters to serve notice on authorities polluting wetlands
In a first of its kind initiative and to protect its eco sensitive Pallikaranai marshland, TN forest department has decided to take on other government departments by serving showcause notices something similar to what defence and Indian railways practice, whenever their land or property is exploited.
“Monsoon is approaching and we are awaiting for the migratory birds, but the steady sewage inflow is a serious threat to the Pallikaranai bird
sanctuary. We have taken up the issue with our senior officials. Principal chief conservator of forests and our conservators have instructed to adequate action and we are all set to serve notice to the city corporation, Elcot and metro water through field ranger,” said district forest officer K. Asokan.
Besides the foresters have been instructed to take action against those who pollute the protected wetlands of Pallikaranai and Perumbakkam.
When contacted head of forest department and principal chief conservator of forest H. Basavaraju, the top official expressed concern over the pollution at Pallikaranai.
“We have instructed the conservator of forests to look into the issue and take necessary steps. An action conservation plan is ready and works in this regard will soon start”, the PCCF added.
