10 months ago
Tamil Nadu Denies Approving Project Within Ramsar Site, Activist Group Disagrees
Imagine a special wetland called Pallikaranai, which is important for nature and is a Ramsar site.
Some people said the government allowed a big building to be built right inside this protected area.
But the government says that's not true.
They explained that they only gave permission for buildings on private land that is outside the protected wetland.
They also said the exact borders of the whole protected area are still being drawn on a map, and it's not officially finished yet.
An activist group disagrees, saying the land is indeed inside the protected area based on other maps and that the government is delaying the official process.
They want the building permit cancelled.
The company building it says they own the land and have all the correct permissions.
Tamil Nadu government denies granting approvals for any building project within the Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest and Ramsar Site.
Approvals were issued solely for private patta lands situated outside the forest boundaries.
The Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest, Ramsar Site, and Wetland are distinct legal classifications.
An additional 550 hectares proposed for the Ramsar site, beyond the notified 698 hectares of Reserve Forest, are still undergoing boundary delineation.
Activist group Arappor Iyakkam disputes the government's clarification, claiming the project site is within the Ramsar boundary and demanding cancellation of approvals.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu Government and Arappor Iyakkam (activist group)
- What
- Dispute over whether approvals were granted for a multi-storeyed building project within the Ramsar-designated Pallikaranai wetland site.
- Where
- Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest area, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- When
- Clarification issued by the government recently; Arappor Iyakkam's allegations made prior.
- Why
- To deny allegations that the government approved a project inside a protected Ramsar site and to assert that approvals were for private land outside the protected area.
Tamil Nadu Government
Arappor Iyakkam (Activist Group)
Project Approval Location
Tamil Nadu Government
Approvals were granted only for private patta lands located outside the Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest and Ramsar Site boundaries.
Arappor Iyakkam (Activist Group)
The disputed 14.7-acre site falls within the Ramsar boundary as per maps from the State Wetland Authority and CMDA, and the project approval should be cancelled.
Ramsar Site Notification
Tamil Nadu Government
The Ramsar site boundaries are not yet legally defined and require a formal notification process, including public consultation, which is yet to be finalized under the Wetlands Rules, 2017.
Arappor Iyakkam (Activist Group)
Ramsar-designated wetlands are already covered under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, from the date of designation, and no additional notification is required for the rules to apply.
Boundary Delineation
Tamil Nadu Government
Ground truthing and delineation of boundaries for the additional 550 hectares proposed under the Ramsar site are ongoing, with NCSCM tasked in November 2024.
Arappor Iyakkam (Activist Group)
The government has been delaying the boundary delineation process for over three years and shows no political will to save the marshlands.
Key facts
- Location
- Pallikaranai and Perumbakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Designated Ramsar Site Area
- Total proposed 1248 hectares (698 hectares Reserve Forest + 550 hectares yet to be delineated)
- Alleged Project Area
- 14.7 acres within the Ramsar site (according to Arappor Iyakkam)
- Project Cost
- Rs 2,000 crore (alleged)
- Boundary Delineation Task
- Assigned to National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) in November 2024
- Delineation Status
- Ongoing; Ramsar site boundaries not yet legally defined.
- Developer's Claim
- Land owned for decades, all necessary approvals obtained.
Quotes
Tamil Nadu government
The state government's Environment, Climate Change and Forest Department
“Since the notification process under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 is yet to be finalised, the Ramsar site boundaries are not yet legally defined”
NDTV
“no building permission has been accorded in the protected area of the Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest”
NDTV
Arappor Iyakkam
A non-profit organization
“no political will to save the marshlands”
NDTV
“raised more questions than answers”
NDTV
private company
The company involved in the multi-storeyed building project
“the land has been owned by the current owner for decades and it has obtained all necessary approvals and statutory clearances from the authorities”
NDTV
