Mangroves Face Demolition Due to Construction

Mangroves recently established along the Kovalam creek face an imminent threat from ongoing construction. Planted on a hectare of barren land as part of the Tamil Nadu Wetlands Mission, these mangroves are integral to the Kundrukadu and Muttukadu ecosystem. Construction activity, including the erection of compound walls and fences, has encroached upon areas adjacent to the planted mangroves, raising serious environmental concerns.

Environmentalists highlight that such construction in mangrove habitats undermines their ecological purpose. They advocate for the protection of these areas, stressing their importance in safeguarding coastlines from wave damage and enriching fisheries. Marine biologist T.D. Babu suggests that mangroves, similar to those in Pazhaverkadu and Pichavaram, should receive equivalent governmental importance and potentially be managed by a dedicated wetlands authority or a specialized forest department division.

Local forest officials have acknowledged the potential harm to mangrove habitats and plan to dispatch a team for inspection. The investigation will involve verifying land ownership with the revenue department to ascertain the legal standing of the construction. Authorities noted that the creek's adjoining areas include public lands (poromboke) and coastal regulation zones (CRZ), with some private land parcels also present, necessitating a thorough review before any decisions are made.