‘Steps being taken to check pollution on Ennore creek wetlands’

Directives given to Tangedco, says Union Minister Harsh Vardhan

Harsh Vardhan

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Harsh Vardhan on Tuesday said steps were being taken to check pollution on the wetlands of Ennore creek.

In reply to MP Kanimozhi’s question in Parliament, Mr. Vardhan said the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) had issued directions to Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited to take immediate action to remove the ash slurry deposited in the Buckingham canal and Kosasthalayar River area and in the vicinity of Seppakkam village area adjacent to the ash pond.

‘Submit action plan’

The board had also asked Tangedco to furnish a time-bound action plan for the removal of ash slurry.

Ms. Kanimozhi had sought to know whether the government was aware of the large-scale pollution and dumping of flyash and construction debris on the wetlands of Ennore creek. She also wanted details about the measures taken by the government to protect the wetland from pollution and encroachments.

The Minister also said that the TNPCB had received complaints with regard to dumping of flyash on the wetlands of Ennore creek and an application had also been filed before the National Green Tribunal (South Zone), Chennai. He also detailed the measures being taken by the Centre to protect wetlands.