Crucial victory for Ennore fishermen, as MoEFCC says wetlands more important than development

Local fishermen heave a sigh of relief as Union Environment Ministry disallows Kamarajar Port to encroach on ecologically fragile Ennore creek.

An untiring battle of the Ennore fishermen to save Kosasthalaiyar river from the clutches of Kamarajar Port proved successful as they scored an important victory after the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) rejected the Port’s proposal to locate port facilities on the eastern banks of the Kosasthalaiyar’s backwaters in Ennore Creek.

The fisherfolk, however, said that their battle to have all of Ennore Creek declared off limits for industrial projects will intensify.

As part of the Phase 3 expansion, Kamarajar port had planned to develop facilities like office, commercial buildings and parking terminals on the eastern part of the ecologically fragile inter-tidal salt pans. Environmental and Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) clearances to the port for its Phase III expansion dated October 30 2018, ordered relocation of these facilities. The environment ministry corroborated that and ruled, “The water bodies and wetlands are more important than the development activity.”

Eastern part secured, what about the west?

The Union Ministry has allowed Kamarajar Port to construct facilities like coal yards on the western part of the Ennore wetlands. The expert appraisal committee that recommended expansion appraised the project based on Draft Coastal Zone Management Plans prepared in 2018, instead of using the approved 1996 plans. “These draft maps do not accurately show the extent of the wetlands. The river does not only expand to the eastern floodplains. We have been asking for the draft maps to be corrected, and drawn in line with the natural state of the river. We have not seen the final maps” said R.L. Srinivasan from Kaatukuppam, a key stakeholder village in Ennore Creek.

Over the last two decades, Ennore Creek has lost more than 1000 acres of its wetland expanse.  “The main demand of the fisherfolk is that no more of the wetlands here must be diverted for any purpose. Our life, livelihood and security depend on it. It is good news that the eastern side has been protected. We will not allow for construction on the western side.” said D. Selvaraj, a fisher elder from the Ennore Anaithu Meenava Grama Kootamaipu.

[The above text is based on a release made by the Ennore All Fishing Village Association, and the content shared has been republished with minimal edits.]

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Similar Story

Unplanned growth, flawed notification endanger Delhi wetlands

Increased public involvement and lessons from successful restoration attempts can help revive the crucial wetlands under threat in the city.

Have you been to the Surajpur wetland, near Surajpur village in Gautam Budh Nagar district? Located in the midst of an expansive industrial city under the administrative purview of the Greater Noida Development Authority, it reveals itself as a mosaic of a sprawling lake, towering trees and thousands of birds, many flying in from distant lands. As you enter the wetland, the guards tell you not to go beyond the second viewpoint. It is untamed territory, the domain of many wild animals, they warn.  However, all has not been well in this sanctuary of nature. In January 2024, the Uttar…

Similar Story

Lake Health Index reveals pollution concerns in Bengaluru’s water bodies

The citizen-driven Lake Health Index project assessed the condition of three lakes in the city: Ulsoor, Doddabommasandra and Shivapura.

Bengaluru grapples with a persistent water stress, worsened by the decline in rainfall, overexploitation of groundwater and decreasing Cauvery River levels. The water crisis has led experts and the government to reconsider using lakes as a source of water, either by storing treated wastewater or harvested rainwater. The draining of lakes, like Bellandur and Varthur, for desilting has contributed to a major part of the groundwater crisis in Bengaluru. However, with the upcoming monsoon predicted to be normal, there is a looming concern regarding the lakes in the city. The anticipated rains may bring one of the highest influxes of…