CHENNAI: Chennai’s fourth theme park being developed in Illalur village in Kancheepuram district has reportedly violated the buffer zone of the adjacent reserve forest prompting foresters to intervene and halt the work. The Illalur reserve forest located near Thiruporur is a known habitat for endangered black buck, a Schedule-1 animal under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
The park, spread across 70 acres, is coming precariously close to the reserve forest. As per the Tamil Nadu Board of Revenue Standing Order, a buffer of 40 to 60 metres should be maintained from the reserve forest. But, workers were seen constructing the compound wall, which falls within 20 metres from the forest boundary.
Also, the Forest department has not issued a no-objection certificate (NOC) without which the Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) cannot issue layout approval. The Bengaluru-based amusement park developer is investing `350 crore and is expected to open with 45 signature land and water rides along with a few new marquee rides/attractions.
Kancheepuram District Forest Officer (DFO) Bhosale Sachin Tukaram confirmed to Express that work on compound wall abutting reserve forest had been halted. The park developer can’t construct anything within 40 to 60 metres from the forest boundary. “They can do whatever they want outside the buffer area. A couple of days ago, we noticed workers constructing about 60 metres of compound wall and our people immediately stopped the work.”
He also confirmed that the DTCP has not sought the NOC from the Forest department for the project. “The DTCP generally seeks NOC from the Forest department when a project is falling adjacent to a reserve forest, but in this case they haven’t. Also, the revenue standing order clearly says before assigning the land that steps should be taken to maintain the buffer area. Here, the land has already been assigned and so our contention is that nothing should be developed within the buffer.” the forest official said.
However, the DFO clarified that the area where the theme park is coming up is part of the 230-acre land parcel owned by a single owner. The park developer has acquired 70 acres and plans to build theme park in 30 acres. The land owner, about 8 to 10 years ago, had constructed the wall right next to the reserve forest. A portion of the compound wall got damaged and the workers tried to strengthen it, which was objected to by the department.
When asked whether theme park developer obtained the DTCP approval (without NOC from the Forest department), DTCP Commissioner Beela Rajesh refused to comment.Meanwhile, there has been mixed response from the residents of Illalur. Some are happy that land prices will shoot up and local economy will improve, but other feel it will cause more harm than good. “Any theme park requires a massive quantity of water when the rides are installed. Basic upkeep of the park can also put a strain on local water supplies,” said Prasanna, who has a farm in the village. Efforts to contact the corporate affairs official of the park developer went in vain.