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Reservoir Project Sparks Coastal Fury
6 Jul
Summary
- Project aims to address drinking water shortages for Chennai residents.
- Fishing communities allege lack of consultation and livelihood impacts.
- Environmental concerns include ecosystem damage and increased flood risks.
The Tamil Nadu State Coastal Zone Management Authority (TNSCZMA) is defending the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance for the Mamallan Reservoir project in Chengalpattu district before the National Green Tribunal. The authority asserts the project adheres to CRZ Notification, 2011, and underwent multiple technical reviews, incorporating stringent environmental safeguards.
The proposed Phase-I reservoir, slated for completion in December 2025, aims to store 1.655 tmc ft of water over 1,770.5 hectares. It is designed to supply drinking water to approximately 50,000 residents in southern Chennai Metropolitan Area areas, while also mitigating floods and seawater intrusion.
Despite the TNSCZMA's claims of compliance and thorough examination by various expert committees, the project faces sustained opposition from fishing communities and environmental experts. These groups allege a lack of consultation and express concerns that the reservoir's construction could devastate the livelihoods of inland and marine fishers reliant on the local ecosystem.
Concerns have also been raised that converting the tidal marshland into a freshwater reservoir could escalate flood risks for neighboring villages and harm the delicate estuarine ecosystem, including fisheries and mangroves.
