Wetlands in TN converted into layout prior to 2011 likely to get stamp of approval

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

The wetlands in the state that were converted into layouts prior to January 2011 are likely to get a stamp of approval, according to Directorate of Town and Country Planning sources.

This comes after government introduced section 47 A of Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act 1971  to regulate the development in the non planning area and with a view to conserve wet lands in the state and also to regulate the conversion of wet lands into other uses.

Since this amendment came into force on January 1, 2011, officials feel the unapproved layouts that prior to 2011 have a chance to get approval.

Sources also added that if the unapproved layout was formed after January 1, 2011 without following the procedures laid down in section 47 A then NOCs prescribed in Section 47 A shall be insisted upon.

Interestingly, the proposal is before the government, sources added.

However, the proposal has a strong opposition from the civil society. M G Deivasahayam, Managing Trustee of the Chennai-based Citizens Alliance for Sustainable Living (SUSTAIN) says this will set an example that those who flout the law can go unscathed.

Urging the government to think twice, he said if the unapproved layouts on wetlands get approval, it could mean the planning of various bodies have been flawed and town planning officials have failed to maintain any checks on such layout.

As per figures available with Express, the city has 29 major water bodies initially having total area of 98,78,277 square metres. Interestingly, they have been reduced to 50,42,082 square metres, almost half, reducing the storage capacity to only 20 per cent due to encroachment.

The town planning is totally flawed and the land use plan in Master Plan is often being tinkered by officials, he says. The Second master Plan is for 2026 but officials have already been tinkering with the land use plan now, says Deivasahayam.

Interestingly, the government is taking efforts to study the conservation programme for wetlands, which include studying the hydrological and socio-economic characterisation of wetlands in Chennai Metropolitan Area, analyzing the wetland complexes of CMA, prioritizing the wetlands for their ecosystem services besides recommending site specific protection and conservation development of comprehensive management plans.