Ennore loses cool after death of greenery

R Srinivas, a fisherman and resident of Kattukuppam, said their drinking water sources have already been polluted by the fly ash leaking into the Ennore Creek. “The thermal plants in the region have been letting fly ash and hot water into the creek, polluting our water sources. Now, they have started cutting down trees that has been existing for decades and flattening the sand dunes, which will further affect our densely-populated region, creating heat-wave like conditions,” he said. 

The 50 acres of green belt is being cleared to set up the Stage III plant. Environmentalist Nityananad Jayaraman said an additional 140 acres of green belt will have to be cleared for the project. “TANGEDCO has not obtained the mandatory consent to establish under the Air and Water Act. Without consent, work has been going on since August 2016. The entire creek area and sand dunes are a security against the saltwater incursion. Now, if these structures are removed, salt water incursion will occur almost 50 km inland, compromising the drinking water source of the entire city. It will disturb the aquifers of Araniyar Kosasthalaiyar Basin, which is an important source of water for Chennai. Thamaraipakkam, where 125 million litres of water is being pumped out by Metro Water for the city’s needs, will also be affected,” he added. 

In addition to the cutting down of the trees, asbestos waste and tree stumps have been dumped on the Ennore Creek, which is protected by the CRZ notifications. “The creek fills up with water during the rainy season and recharges the groundwater in the region. Now, this waste is being dumped here, which will affect the floodplain further,” said Anandan, a village elder. 

Asbestos, pointed out Nityanand, is carcinogenic. “In dry conditions, asbestos mobilises and we tend to breathe in the toxic fibres. The workers who have dumped it here as well as the fishermen and members of the public will be exposed and affected by this,” added the environmentalist. 

The green belt is mandatory for the operations of all the three thermal power stations. Srinivas added that these green belts are rich in flora and fauna. “Coconut trees, palm trees and cashew trees are in abundance. The green belt also had many wild species such as hyenas and civet cats, which will be affected when the green belt is stripped off,” he rued. 

When contacted, many of the engineers at NCTPS were unaware of the developments. An engineer at NCTPS said, “The green belt doesn’t come under our jurisdiction. We know that some of the trees, were felled by cyclone Vardah. Beyond that, we have no idea what’s going on.” 

An official from the TNPCB said, “Some of the trees are being cleared, which are there in the stipulated area required for the Stage III plant. No other area is being disturbed. None of the other trees will be affected. We will put certain stipulations that should be followed, like compensating the green belt that is being cleared.” 

A petition challenging the Environmental Clearance given to the project is currently pending in the National Green Tribunal.