WRD’s resources against invasive mussels in Kosasthalaiyar: Lone fisherman, one earthmover

CHENNAI: Observing that the Water Resources Department has engaged a single fisherman and a sole earth mover for removing invasive charru mussels (kakka aazhi) from the Kosasthalaiyar, the southern bench of the National Green Tribunal directed the department to engage more men and machines.

"Considering the rapid growth of charru mussels, we expect the State government to act more responsibly and swiftly by engaging more men and machines to remove the invasive species, thereby enabling free flow of water and boats. Although it is the duty of the government departments to remove the charru mussels in their entirety, it has taken so much time even to commence the work at the above-mentioned places (Kattupalli, Puzhuthivakkam, and Athipattu)," the bench comprising judicial member Justice Pushpa Satyanarayana and expert member Satyagopal Korlapati observed.

In a memo filed with the southern bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) during the previous hearing, the Water Resources Department (WRD) said that three places, such as Kattupalli, Puzhuthivakkam and Athipattu, were identified to clear the invasion of the charru mussel species, which are obstructing free flow of fresh water in the Kosasthalaiyar.

It may be noted that in the hearing last month, the state government had claimed that fresh water during rains could kill the invasive species, for which the green tribunal had demanded scientific proof. Mussels weighing less than 5 grams would die during the influx of rainwater due to changes in salinity, the government has claimed.

Meanwhile, the State has blamed Ennore Port, Chennai Port and Kattupalli Port for the mussel invasion, alleging that the creatures could have entered the waters through the ballast waters that ships carry in their tanks (to maintain vessel stability).

Responding to these claims, the NGT has asked the government to identify which of the three ports released ballast water into the sea.