Be that as it may, though Marina forms part of the 12-km long stretch of sea and sand, starting from Napier’s Bridge and running up and beyond Thiruvanmiyur, it is generally perceived as limited to the beach up to the Adyar estuary. Now it seems to be shrinking more to the portion up to the Lighthouse, which is being artificially ‘beautified’ at a cost of Rs 17 crore while the other part up to the estuary is left to rot with filth!

Decades ago Marina used to be described thus: “Longest beach of India, comprising golden sand, white surf and a shimmering clean blue sea. Two rivers – Cooum and Adyar - flow into the sea, the latter forming an estuary of islands, ponds and mangroves attracting multiple varieties of migratory birds. Adjacent to this is the Theosophical Society and the largest banyan tree. Truly a sight to be seen and cherished.”

No longer. Today the same Marina is a long stretch of litter-land meeting the staid waters of the Bay of Bengal. The erstwhile estuary is now an ugly expanse of slums, garish high-rise structures and atrophied ponds. One can only hope that the belated efforts to establish the ‘Adyar Poonga’, an eco-restoration project of the estuary, would bear fruit soon. Provided it stands up to the monstrosity called ‘beach elevated highway’, proposed to run from Marina to Kottivakkom.

Some years ago, this waterfront from Lighthouse to Adyar estuary was sought to be developed as a most-modern enclave of tall towers and hotels. Dwarfing them all would have been the most magnificent ‘New Government Secretariat’ on the ‘beach drive’ overlooking the walker’s promenade on which the Queen Mary’s College stands. It was the concentrated efforts of students and society that saved the beach and college.

Such marauding efforts can be put to an end only by recognising the Marina waterfront as an eco-system and protecting it under Coastal Regulation Zone-I which is defined thus: “Areas that are ecologically sensitive and important, such as national parks/marine parks, sanctuaries, reserve forests, wildlife habitats, mangroves, coral/coral reefs, areas close to breeding and spawning grounds of fish and other marine life, areas of outstanding beauty/heritage areas…”

Marina ecosystem ideally fits into this definition: (a) It influences the weather, temperature and pollution levels of Chennai and provides much-needed evening breeze; (b) It is a place where the six million population of the growing city can get outdoor lung space to escape from the sweltering heat; (c) It has two rivers flowing into the sea through which intense interaction between land and sea takes place; (d) Adyar estuary is a fragile and bio-diverse eco-subsystem of great natural beauty consisting of unique flora, fauna and mangroves and (e) A breeding and nesting ground for Olive Ridley turtles.

The structures facing the promenade form a valuable heritage asset, which has been recognised historically as well as in planning. These include the University of Madras, Senate-House, Chepauk Palace, Presidency College, PWD Office, Ice House, Lady Willingdon College, Queen Mary’s College, DGP building and Santhome Cathedral. These structure stand testimony to how immortal nature and mortal humans could live in perfect harmony.

Neither the government of Tamil Nadu nor the hyperactive Union Ministry of Environment & Forest has done anything to preserve and enrich this metropolitan eco-system. It is high-time they did so. Environmental activists should take this up as a mission.