CMDA Moves to Safeguard Pallikaranai Marshland with No-Development Status

CHENNAI: Despite ongoing construction activities near Pallikaranai Marshland, which received international recognition as a Ramsar site, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) is advancing plans to designate the area as a ‘no development’ zone in its upcoming Third Master Plan (TMP).

A, official of CMDA, disclosed to the southern bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that the survey numbers encompassing the marshland will be categorised under a swamp area in the TMP (2027-2046). This decision aligns with guidelines outlined by the Ramsar Convention and includes buffer zones around the Pallikaranai swamp area. The marshland, long demarcated in the Second Master Plan (SMP), currently prohibits any development under existing regulations. However, exceptions are made for individuals holding patta lands within primary residential zones, as per the second master plan’s provisions. CMDA assured stakeholders that detailed inputs from the Tamil Nadu State Wetland Authority would inform the TMP’s finalisation process. Notably, any adjustments or amendments to the master plan would adhere to legal protocols under section 32 of the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, subject to governmental approval.

Pallikaranai Marshland, officially designated a Ramsar site in July 2022, underscores its ecological significance amidst urban development pressures. The NGT has intervened in response to concerns over road construction within the marshland at Perumbakkam, seeking clarifications from CMDA regarding planning permissions granted post-Ramsar recognition. Official clarified CMDA’s stance on specific permissions issued to entities like Casagrand Private Limited, emphasising that such developments are restricted to patta lands within designated residential zones, not overlapping with protected swamp areas outlined in the master plan. The ongoing deliberations highlight the delicate balance between urban expansion and environmental conservation, reflecting broader challenges in sustainable urban planning across India. As stakeholders await further directives from NGT, CMDA’s commitment to integrating Ramsar guidelines into Chennai’s urban development framework remains pivotal in safeguarding Pallikaranai Marshland’s ecological integrity.