Forest clearance to cause severe water scarcity in Chennai
Posted on: 30/Mar/2017 5:08:16 PM
Over 50 acres of forested area was cleared in Northern Chennai Thermal Power Plant Station or the NCTPS. This has raised warning among the environmentalists and fishing community in Chennai.
This clearing of trees was done for the third stage of NCTPS. This is a 1x800MW coal based power plant. The total project estimate is Rs 4800 crore and will be set up in December 2017.
This is an illegal move that is against existing environmental clearances, says Pooja Kumar, a coordinator at The Coastal Resource Centre.
During the first and second stage of NCTPS, prior sanctions were granted provided a green belt be maintained around the plant.
Pooja further adds that the first stage was set up in 1987. Upon getting clearance, there was one condition that a green belt must be maintained surrounding the plant. The second stage was constructed during 1996 during when the condition was to have 1500 to 2000 trees per hectare, and the green belt should also be maintained.
Contrary reports
According to the reports submitted by the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation once in 6 months, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), the belt raised are well maintained and the conditions are complied with.
Fishermen however complain that during August 2016, the felling of trees had started.
