The Hindu 19.09.2013
Corpn. acts to protect Srinivasapuram beach
The National Green Tribunal, Southern Bench, on
Wednesday closed an application demanding effective measures to prevent
the dumping of debris on the beach near the Adyar Estuary in
Srinivasapuram, after the Chennai Corporation spelt out the preventive
measures it has put in place.
Disposing of the
application, the Bench said, “A perusal of the report of the preventive
measures and also the photographs are clearly indicative of the fact
that sufficient preventive measures have been taken.”
The
Tribunal also made it clear that the dumping of debris should not
reoccur. At its last hearing, the Tribunal had warned of serious action
against officials if no constructive action was taken within a week.
Corporation
Commissioner Vikram Kapur detailed the measures in a counter-affidavit
before the Bench, comprising its judicial member Justice M. Chockalingam
and expert member R. Nagendran. The Bench was hearing an application
filed by K. Saravanan, a city resident, against the construction of an
illegal road by dumping of construction debris on the eco-sensitive
Srinivasapuram beach near the Adyar Estuary.
In his
reply, Mr. Kapur said that all along the edge of the road, a
400-metre-long trench had been dug to prevent the entry of vehicles.
Casuarina poles had also been erected at eight-foot intervals. This
barricade would prevent temporary unauthorised movement into the beach
area.
“A closed circuit camera has been installed to
record the activities on the beach and it will act as a deterrent to
wrong-doers. A security guard will be there 24 X 7 and a cabin has been
provided for him,” Mr. Kapur added.
Four boards to
caution the public against unauthorised waste dumping have also been
installed at prominent locations on the beach.
The
Corporation has also requested TN Minerals Ltd to supply boulders from
its quarry in Vellore district. The Commissioner said, “Once the
boulders are received, they will be placed along the edge of the beach
to prevent heavy vehicles from entering the sandy area to dump debris,
without affecting the movement of the beach-goers/public. The zonal
office XIII staff will keep a constant vigil in the beach area to
preserve its pristine status.”