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Time for some wetland news from namma #Chennai - You have probably heard of the plans to dredge the #Pallikaranai Marsh
We are here to tell you why this is a bad idea and we hope @chennaicorp @CMOTamilNadu reconsider this at the earliest
Thread https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/greater-chennai-corporation-plans-to-dredge-pallikaranai-marshland/articleshow/79484144.cms
We are here to tell you why this is a bad idea and we hope @chennaicorp @CMOTamilNadu reconsider this at the earliest
Thread https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/greater-chennai-corporation-plans-to-dredge-pallikaranai-marshland/articleshow/79484144.cms
The key to understanding #Pallikaranai is to understand its hydrological character
The Marsh acts like a sponge -- This means that it soaks up water during peak spells and releases it during dry spells.
Dredging will disturb this characteristic
The Marsh acts like a sponge -- This means that it soaks up water during peak spells and releases it during dry spells.
Dredging will disturb this characteristic
#Pallikaranai also plays a critical role in groundwater recharge, especially for the South Chennai Aquifer which runs from South of Adyar to Kovalam
#Chennai #groundwater
#Chennai #groundwater
In light of these functions, dredging #Pallikaranai will make #Chennai vulnerable to flooding due to storm surges
This is a vulnerability the city cannot afford to handle in its current state given the existing stresses on its #wetlands
This is a vulnerability the city cannot afford to handle in its current state given the existing stresses on its #wetlands
It doesn't stop here !
Dredging also carries other risks such as increased saltwater intrusion
It has the potential to make #Chennai a semi-arid zone by drying out the landscape
Dredging also carries other risks such as increased saltwater intrusion
It has the potential to make #Chennai a semi-arid zone by drying out the landscape
But what about the waterlogging in South Chennai ?
Waterlogging has to be handled by draining the marsh and not flushing it.
Draining is the slow discharge of water. Flushing is rapid like .... flushing the loo
Waterlogging has to be handled by draining the marsh and not flushing it.
Draining is the slow discharge of water. Flushing is rapid like .... flushing the loo
Onwards to the #biodiversity of #Pallikaranai
It has a recorded
167 species of birds
100 species of fish
141 species of plants which includes 29 species of native grasses
It has a recorded
167 species of birds 100 species of fish 141 species of plants which includes 29 species of native grasses
The #Pallikaranai Marsh is the habitat of the Greater Flamingo and to other species like the Glossy Ibis and the Pheasant Tailed Jacana
The bird migratory season coincides with post-monsoon months when wetlands are full. In this time, #wetlands of #Chennai serve as a nesting + breeding ground for both transboundary & local migrant species.
#Pallikaranai is one of the best sites for feeding, nesting and breeding
#Pallikaranai is one of the best sites for feeding, nesting and breeding
Concerned citizens have started raising their voices against this plan and we can only hope that the awareness on this grows
@SundarrajanG @NityJayaraman https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/dredging-pallikaranai-marsh-will-turn-groundwater-saline-experts/articleshow/79505759.cms
@SundarrajanG @NityJayaraman https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/dredging-pallikaranai-marsh-will-turn-groundwater-saline-experts/articleshow/79505759.cms
Once again we urge @CMOTamilNadu @EPSTamilNadu to reconsider and withdraw this scheme
@chennaicorp - Let's work together in building evidence based flood mitigation strategies for #Chennai
@chennaicorp - Let's work together in building evidence based flood mitigation strategies for #Chennai
