Pallikaranai Marshland:
The southern bench of the National Green Tribunal has ordered a halt on all construction activity within one kilometre of the Pallikaranai Marshland until a scientific study is conducted.
- It is a freshwater marsh and partly saline wetland situated about 20 kilometres south of the city of Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
- It serves as an aquatic buffer of the flood-prone Chennai and Chengalpattu districts.
- It encompasses 65 wetlands, through two outlets, viz., Okkiyam Madavu and the Kovalam Creek, and falls into the Bay of Bengal.
- It is flanked by the Buckingham Canal on its eastern periphery.
- It is one of the Ramsar sites in India.
- The diverse ecosystem of the marshland supports some 115 bird species, ten mammals, 21 reptiles, ten amphibians, 46 fish, nine molluscs, five crustaceans, and seven butterfly species.
- These include notable species such as Russell’s viper (Daboia siamensis) and birds such as the glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), grey-headed lapwings (Vanellus cinereus), and Pheasant-tailed jacana (Hydrophasianus chirurgus).
- Although tropical in bio-climate, the influence of the Bay of Bengal has been significant on the Marsh.
- It continues to face significant anthropogenic pressures, including encroachments and sewage discharge.
