The poisoning of Pallikaranai: a call for restoration

The poisoning of Pallikaranai: a call for restoration

One of Chennai’s last natural wetland is being buried alive

Photo: Preethika Radhakrishnan

Wetlands are among the most vital yet understated ecosystems. They are unique, semi-aquatic ecosystems that consist of an area of soil saturated in water permanently or seasonally. They are great multitaskers — they can purify water, act as carbon sinks, recharge groundwater, and mitigate floods — ecological functions that are essential for a city like Chennai, which either has no water or has too much water. However, despite their stacked resume, globally, wetlands are being lost and getting destroyed at an almost alarming rate. From Pantanal in South America to the Peatlands in Indonesia, they are getting killed at a rate that is three times faster than deforestation (1. Wwf.pandas.org), [i]and Pallikaranai has not been shown any mercy.

The often unnoticed Struggle of Pallikaranai

Once occupying a vast area of approx. 50 sq.km in the 1960s, the Pallikaranai Wetlands have been reduced to a mere 5.9 sq.km remaining in its natural state in 2013 (2). Its strategic location allows it to drain an area of 250 sq.kms in South Chennai, encompassing 65 wetlands, through outlets like Okkiyam Madavu and the Kovalam creek, leading into the Bay of Bengal (3.TNWSA)

Pallikaranai is astonishingly biodiverse, being home to several flora and fauna species including some 212 species of birds, 141 species of plants, 21 reptile species, 10 amphibians, 50 types of fish, and a variety of butterflies. Endangered/vulnerable species such as the glossy ibis, grey-headed lapwing, and Russell’s viper call this their home. It is also an important pit stop for migratory birds, linking Chennai to several global biodiversity hotspots(3.TNWSA). Yet, as humans continually shrink its size, these species are losing their home, and the ecosystem is losing its identity.

Photo: Preethika Radhakrishnan

The factors driving the wetlands to doom

1. Urban encroachment: The wetlands are losing ground to the developing IT paradise in the neighborhood of Pallikaranai. Large-scale construction of residential areas and industries , causes the natural water flow to shift resulting in the ecosystem losing its fragile balance. In the past few decades, over 90% of the wetland has been lost.(2)
2. Pollution and waste dumping: The Perungudi dump yard, which started as a “small” landfill, has now expanded to cover a vast area (greater than the wetland area), excreting toxins and heavy metals into the land. Untreated sewage and industrial waste further contaminate every bit of water, threatening aquatic life and reducing the land’s ability to purify water.(6)
3. Hydrological disruptions and waterlogging: Due to the construction of roads and other infrastructure, the natural drainage pattern has been altered, preventing water from flowing freely to the Bay of Bengal and leading to increased flooding.(6)
4. Invasive Species: Non-native species such as Prosopis juliflora have spread across the marsh, choking out native plants and altering the landscape.

Why it matters

The degradation and possible loss of Pallikaranai is not just an environmental concern — it directly impacts Chennai’s capacity to be sustainable. As established earlier, The wetland plays a crucial role in flood prevention, groundwater storage, and preventing urban areas from being turned into a swimming pool. Without it, monsoon floods are becoming more severe (3.TNSWA). Additionally, degradation of the wetland contributes to the problem of depleting groundwater, worsening the city’s water shortages, especially in the dreadful months of summer. This doesn’t happen just here, globally, wetlands act as carbon sinks and store 30% of the world’s soil carbon, making them important in the fight against climate change but still aound 80% of the world’s wastewater is released into them untreated causing degradation (5. www.wwt.orguk)..) This is one of the problems that fall as a burden on everyone’s shoulders, regardless of our differences.

The voice of the locals

For local communities, the loss of this wetland affects their everyday lives. Sudhaa Sridher, a resident of S.Kolathur said,” The flooding of our area has been worsening over the years due to the encroaching of wetland, the government has invested crores but it doesn’t seem to do much”. Public health is also at risk, with the increasing pollution leading to waterborne diseases and deteriorating air quality. JenaniS, a resident from the neighborhood of Kovilambakkam complained about the same. The primary residents of the marsh, the different species of migratory birds, have been showing up in lesser numbers over the years.

Photo: Preethika Radhakrishnan

Urgent steps needed for conservation

1. Spreading awareness on the importance of the marshland is one of the key factors that could prevent further degradation of the wetlands.

2. Clearly defining the boundaries of the wetlands and appointing responsible authorities to prevent encroachment.

3. Enforcing prompt action on anyone who builds within the wetland limits and fining the perpetrators.

4. Efficient recycling to reduce the dumping of garbage.

5. Restoring the natural hydrology to ensure the wetland retains its ability to drain floods.

6. Dredging sludge to remove excess silts and sediments.

7. For once, urban planning should be centered around sustainability.

8. Above all, people should be made aware of the ecological and economic value of the wetlands.

Whose responsibility?

The gradual loss of Pallikaranai is a cautionary tale of what happens when urban expansion is prioritized over sustainability and balance. But the thing is — it’s not too late. With collective efforts from the government, conservation groups, and citizens, the odds are still in our favour.

The wetland was declared a Ramsar site in 2022, proving that our efforts can bear fruit. The question now is-will we keep up the momentum? Or will we wait until Chennai becomes Atlantis?

Saving Pallikaranai isn’t just about protecting a few acres of land. It’s about securing our city’s future.

REFERENCES:

1. World’s wetlands disappearing three times faster than forests | WWF

2. Mapping the fragile ecosystem of Pallikaranai Wetland, Chennai — Productive Urbanism

3. Tamil Nadu Wetlands Mission

4. List

5. https://www.wwt.org.uk/our-work/threats-to-wetlands

6. rsis.ramsar.org/RISapp/files/42511262/documents/IN2481_mgt220526…Final-compressed.pdf?language=en

7. Classification and Types of Wetlands | US EPA