Pulicat Wetland Faces Threat Amidst Settlement Claims

As the State government initiates settlement claims for villages within Pulicat Birds Sanctuary, concerns over the sanctuary’s shrinking eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) loom large. The government’s plan to denotify a significant area of the sanctuary has sparked worries among environmentalists and wildlife experts. With proposals for industrial expansion projects and development within the ESZ, there’s a growing fear of irreversible damage to the delicate ecosystem of Pulicat.

Environmental collectives are petitioning the authorities, emphasizing the wetland’s significance in providing livelihoods, supporting wildlife, and acting as a crucial climate buffer for Chennai. Despite calls for conservation, the settlement of claims marks the first step towards denotifying the sanctuary, raising concerns about the future of this biodiversity hotspot.