CHENNAI : The State Government would initiate urgent measures to safeguard the Pallikaranai Marsh, Minister for Environment T.P.M. Mohideen Khan told the Assembly on Friday.

Responding to a Calling Attention Motion moved by K. Arumugam (Pattali Makkal Katchi), Mr. Khan said he would shortly hold discussions with officials of the Pollution Control Board (PCB), Corporation of Chennai, Tamil Nadu Water and Drainage Board and Alandur Municipality in this regard.

Necessary steps would be taken soon in consultation with Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and Local Administration Minister M.K. Stalin to evolve an action plan after conducting required tests.

Raising the issue during the zero hour, Mr. Arumugam said dumping of garbage and discharge of sewage on the roads by tankers in suburban areas at Pallikaranai and Velachery had caused hardship to the people.

Experts had described the Pallikaranai Marsh as a boon to the locals, he said, adding that pollution of the air and water had badly affected them and urgent measures were needed to save the marsh.

Mr. Khan said in a detailed report tabled in the House that illegal dumping of solid waste and sewerage in the marsh and along the roads had resulted in environmental problems.

Effluents containing toxic material released from the dumping yard polluted ground water.

He also recalled measures taken by the PCB to protect the environment in the area. Notices had been served on the Chennai Corporation and Alandur Municipality asking them to take steps to separate the waste at source and convert the biodegradable wastes into manure. Recycling of waste and safe disposal of non-bio-degradable wastes were other suggestions made by the PCB.

Though the board had asked the local bodies to release the sewerage after treating it at the treatment plant installed by the TWAD Board at Perungudi, both solid and liquid wastes were illegally dumped.

It had also been advised that the sludge released from the plant should not be dumped in the area as it could be used as manure, he said.

During surprise checks, the PCB had taken action against eight tankers used for illegal dumping of the wastes last year, he pointed out.

Smoke emanating from the dumping yard from burning of the solid waste also added to the woes of the locals, he said.

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