Marshlands to sink due to widening of the roads in Chennai
Posted on: 22/Nov/2019 10:07:37 AM
The state highways had proposed widening of the Thoraipakkam - Pallavaram Radial Road to 4 lanes is known. It is now revealed that the marshland in Pallikaranai might shrink further due to road widening. It must be taken into account that a culvert is being built in the marsh now by the disaster management authority to allow the water to flow in case of heavy rains. This was later confirmed by an official belonging to the forest department.
For widening the road, the highways have sought funds from the World Bank. The important point is whenever a World Bank fund project is implemented then the authorities have to reveal the social and environmental safeguards in that place.
Under Section 26 of the TN Forest Act, the portion of the left side of the road when coming from Pallavaram has been notified as forest land. This was according to V. Karunapriya, chief conservator of forests, the Chennai circle. She added that in the next step this portion on the left side of the road from Pallavaram would be notified under section 4 after which the area would be announced as reserved forest.
It is important to mention that the portion on the opposite side is a protected area and reserved forest. She concluded that the department of highways must get clearance from the Union Ministry for Environment, forests and climate change for any development on this stretch. It has been recommended that the marsh be declared Ramsar site and this was as per some conservationists.
