The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Assurance to court on Adyar Creek

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Aug 03, 2007
ePaper

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Assurance to court on Adyar Creek

Special Correspondent

State says nothing will be done that will affect its ecological condition

No permanent construction will be taken up
Existing building to be used as an interpretation centre

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Government on Thursday assured the Madras High Court that nothing would be done in respect of the Adyar Poonga, which would affect the ecological condition of the Adyar Creek. It also said that no permanent construction would be taken up in the area.

An undertaking to this effect was given by Additional Advocate-General P.S. Raman, when a petition filed by the Secretary of the Municipal Department, seeking suitable direction from the court for the implementation of the Adyar Poonga Trust Project, came up for hearing before the First Bench of Chief Justice A.P. Shah and Justice P. Jyothimani.

The Government filed the petition to inform the court that the project would restore the ecology of the Adyar Creek.

It proposes to restore/replace the existing building at the site, and to use it as an interpretation centre to create awareness among the public of environmental and ecological issues through exhibitions, library with documentation and audio-visual presentation facilities.

“Wetland will be hit”

However, objecting to the proposal, the Citizen, Consumer and Civic Action Group filed a counter-affidavit, stating that the project would adversely affect the estuarine wetland.

Instead of adopting sustainable methods to protect eco-sensitive areas, the Government has embarked upon an unsustainable project that will ensure the destruction of the Adyar Creek area, it said.

The petitioners have transferred the land to the Adyar Poonga Trust without approaching the High Court, the counter contended.

The matter has been adjourned to August 9 for further proceedings.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail