CHENNAI: Arappor Iyakkam, an NGO dedicated to combating corruption, has requested the state government to revoke the approvals granted to a property developer for a residential project in Perumbakkam. They allege that the site is located within the protected Pallikaranai marshland.
The NGO submitted a complaint to Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, stating that the developer is “attempting to resume construction in violation of the Wetland Conservation Rules 2017, as well as a Supreme Court stay order preventing any construction within the designated wetland areas.”
The project, located on land with survey numbers 453, 495/2C, 496, 497, and 498 in Perumbakkam village, Chengalpet district, lies within the boundaries of the Pallikaranai marshland. This marsh is one of the 94 wetlands recognized under the National Wetland Conservation and Management Programme, serving as a vital aquatic buffer for Chennai and Chengalpet.
The NGO emphasized the need for immediate cessation of construction activities and accountability for officials who approved the permits. They noted that the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) and the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) failed to recognize the site’s designation as a protected wetland while granting permissions. Additionally, they highlighted that the project applicant did not disclose the land’s proximity to the Ramsar site during the environmental clearance process.
The complaint calls on the state government to reassess the permissions granted to the project, halt all construction, and ensure the protection of the marshland in accordance with wetland conservation guidelines.
