CHENNAI: Nearly 50 acres of green belt around the North Chennai Thermal Power Station (NCTPS) have been allegedly cleared to facilitate the construction of the third stage of the power plant. Activists fear that 140 more acres will be wiped out before any action is taken by officials.
The stage I and II of NCTPS were completed about a decade ago, while construction of stage III is underway. A few activists say the third stage is being built by clearing the green belt around the first two stages and fear that the destruction of this greenery may have long term consequences.
“A green belt is mandated around every thermal power plant to absorb the pollution it generates. The trees are the only barrier preventing fly ash and dust from affecting populated areas nearby,” said Nityanand Jayaraman, an environmentalist, adding that removing the green cover is illegal as TANGEDCO has not obtained the mandatory Consent to Establish under the Air and Water Acts for the ongoing work.
Despite the lack of consent, the construction that began last August has not been stopped. An RTI reply also reveals no site inspection was made by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) before the construction began.
NCTPS’ coal-fired thermal power plant is located at the southern tip of Kattupalli - a barrier island with vegetation-covered dunes which prevent intrusion of saline water into the fresh groundwater table.
“These inland aquifers recharge the groundwater that feeds nearly 120 MLD for Chennai Metrowater at Panjeti,” said Pooja Kumar, a researcher at the coastal resource centre. By clearing the vegetation and flattening the dune, one is inviting saline water to mix with fresh water, she added.
The area is rich in flora and fauna and the forest department discovered a micro-ecosystem using camera traps last year. One can find trees such as Surapazham, Kaarapazham, Cashew and other mangrove and reverain plants and shrubs too. The fauna includes deer, hares, mongoose, wild cats and several water and migratory birds.
A petition challenging the environmental clearance given to the project is currently pending in the National Green Tribunal.
Officials from TANGEDCO, Departments of Environment and Forest and TNPCB were unavailable for comments.