Anbumani Ramadoss Urges TN Govt to Notify Pallikaranai Marshland to Prevent Floods

On Sunday, Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) president Anbumani Ramadoss urged the Tamil Nadu government to immediately demarcate and notify the Pallikaranai marshland in Chennai to protect the city from recurring floods and ensure water security. He raised these demands while launching a signature campaign aimed at safeguarding the ecologically sensitive wetland.

The signature campaign was organized by the People’s Movement to Save Chennai’s Lifeline Pallikaranai Wetland. This initiative was launched by Pasumai Thaayagam, the environmental wing of the PMK, alongside other prominent environmental groups, including Poovulagin Nanbargal.

During the launch, Ramadoss criticized the state government's inaction on environmental conservation. He charged that not a single wetland in Tamil Nadu has been officially notified. He referenced the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules introduced by the Indian government in 2017, noting that the Supreme Court of India had subsequently reiterated that all wetlands across the country must be notified.

Ramadoss explained that notification is a vital legal process because it ensures that the borders of a wetland are officially earmarked. Without this demarcation, these ecological zones remain vulnerable. He stated that while Tamil Nadu has a dedicated wetland authority, the body has not taken up the cause of protecting these vital ecosystems.

Highlighting the historical loss of the Pallikaranai marshland, Ramadoss explained that it serves as Chennai's natural drainage system. He pointed out that around 100 years ago, the marshland was spread across approximately 15,000 acres. However, due to continuous neglect and lack of protection, only about 2,500 acres of the marshland remain today.

The PMK president concluded that legally notifying the Pallikaranai marshland is the only effective way to prevent further encroachments on the remaining land and to safeguard Chennai from the threat of recurring floods.