Encroachments, a threat to Pallimaranari marsh

By P. Oppili

CHENNAI, DEC. 10. The Pallikaranai marsh, home to more than 100 species of birds and several other organisms on Velacheri- Tambaram Road, is feared to be on the verge of extinction due to large-scale encroachments and other ``development activities''.

Apart from being a habitat for several flora and fauna, it works as a natural drain and as a major groundwater recharging unit for the city.

Despite objections from naturalists and urban planners to systematic development such as solid waste dumping, sewage discharge, allocation of land for film employees, construction of National Institute of Ocean Technology by the IIT, Madras, have been taken up. Different parts of the marsh have been sliced off for constructing MRTS railway station, a marshalling yard and a new road to connect Old Mahabalipuram Road to Pallavaram.

Originally, the total area of marsh was about 80 sq km with a width of three km and length of 15 km. But, due to these activities, it is shrinking day by day, says Mr. G. Dattatri, former Chief Urban Planner and Consultant for UNCHS.

Last year, a study by the Salim Ali School of Ecology, Central University, Pondicherry, revealed that tampering with the wetland would reduce its water bearing capacity drastically leading to flooding and inundation in south Chennai during monsoons. The study was part of Exnora Naturalists Club's training programme for youth in `Eco restoration and understanding nature' programme.

Apart from birds and other organisms, presence of a large number of plant communities has been recorded, say the Exnora members. Almost all the plants found in and around the wetland area have some importance - either economic or cultural.

A few years ago, the presence of more than 120 species of birds was recorded by the Madras Naturalists Society (MNS) members. With the launching of developmental activities, the number of migratory birds visiting the place has dwindled, says Mr. K. V. Sudhakar, secretary of the MNS. It has become very difficult to spot birds these days with increased construction activities.

While various studies have been conducted on the marsh, nothing has been done so far on the role it plays in flood mitigation and as a natural drain, says Mr. T. K. Ramkumar, chief advisor, Exnora. Yet another interesting topic which can be taken up is its `groundwater recharging' function, he adds.

World over wetlands are gradually vanishing due to rapid urbanisation. While in some countries, reclamation schemes drain the wetland, in some other countries they are converted into agricultural fields or given to industrial expansion resulting in their destruction ultimately.

The Pallikaranai swamp, with varied biodiversity of such magnitude, is one of the last few remaining natural eco-systems in the city. Chennai is primarily dependent on groundwater and this marsh is one of the major groundwater recharging area. It also helps in charging the aquifers of the region and if drained the entire area will suffer from water scarcity, the study has revealed.

As the marsh is as rich as Vedanthangal in species diversity, efforts should be made to promote the place as a major wilderness area, says Dr. A. Rajaram, MNS member.

No development activities should be allowed in such an ecologically sensitive area. The Government, NGOs and naturalists should join hands to protect the valuable natural resource in the city, say the nature-lovers and environmentalists.

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