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Published on
January 31, 2017
January 31, 2017
Updated on
January 31, 2017
Fisherfolk and residents in and around Ennore in Chennai have been protesting against pollution of the Ennore creek and encroachment of land by various Industries and the government.
The total wetland area in Ennore, as per the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, is 2,000 acres. Since the 1980s, effluents have been released into the creek, which connects with the Araniyar and Kosathalaiyar rivers as well as the manmade Buckingham canal. These effluents include fly ash from thermal plants and hot water discharge, which affects the fish population in the area.
Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco), Manali Petrochemical Industrial Complex and three other power plants in the area are allegedly the main contributors to the pollution. After years of protest by the fishing community, the Madras High Court in 1996 ordered the thermal power plant to stop dumping fly ash into the creek as well as to clean up waste that was dumped into it earlier. But despite the court order, the plant continues to dump effluents into the creek. This, the residents complain, adversely affects their health.
The environmental impacts of encroachment of the wetlands was felt in 2015 during floods, as excess water could not be drained into the wetlands. Following the floods, activists and local people approached the National Green Tribunal and argued that the Ennore wetlands must be protected as they played a crucial role in flood control.
Encroachment by industries has also displaced the residents of two fishing villages, who have been forced to relocate to a place 2km from the sea. This has impacted their livelihoods. They fear further displacement as talks of opening another power plant in the area have been going on.
In addition to the industrial activity on the wetlands, the expansion of the Kamarajar Port in the area has also commenced, affecting the fisherfolk's access to the sea.
In July 2020, the Water Resources Department commenced operations to dredge Ennore creek backwaters of fly ash. This is to be completed before the monsoon sets in during the month of October.
Opposition against environmental degradation
Demand to retain/protect access to common land/resources
Urban and Rural
Common
Non-Forest (Other than Grazing Land)
Total investment involved (in Crores):
₹
Type of investment:
Year of Estimation
Page Number In Investment Document:
Has the Conflict Ended?
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Legislations/Policies Involved
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?
What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Forced evictions/dispossession of land
Violation of environmental laws
Legal Status:
In Court
Status of Case In Court
Pending
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
Name of the adjudicatory body
Name(s) of the Court(s)
National Green Tribunal; Madras High Court
Case Number
Original Application No. 14 of 2017 (SZ); Writ Petition No. 30237 of 2018 and Writ Miscellaneous Petition No. 35289 of 2018
Main Reasoning/Decision of court
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Whether criminal law was used against protestors:
Reported Details of the Violation:
Date of Violation
Location of Violation
Nature of Protest
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco)
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:
Local fisherfolk
Image Credit:
Image Credit: