🌿 NGT Steps In to Protect Chennai’s Last Wetland
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) – Southern Bench has ordered an immediate freeze on building and planning approvals in and around the Pallikaranai Marshland, one of Tamil Nadu’s last surviving wetlands.
This follows a suo motu case after media reports revealed illegal debris dumping and road-laying near Perumbakkam, threatening to block feeder canals and worsen flooding in South Chennai.
⚖️ What the NGT Said
In its September 24 2025 order, the bench led by Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana and Expert Member Prashant Gargava directed the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) to stop issuing all new approvals within the marsh’s Ramsar boundary and its zone of influence.
The tribunal clarified that previous approvals cannot justify new ones until the Tamil Nadu State Wetland Authority (TNSWA) completes a scientific delineation and Integrated Management Plan (IMP).
Read more about this in https://community.verified.realestate/article/national-green-tribunal-freezes-cmda-approvals-near-pallikaranai/
🏢 CMDA’s Follow-Up: Office Order No. 07/2025
Following the NGT directive, CMDA issued Office Order No. 07/2025, dated October 9 2025, officially banning all construction approvals within the Ramsar site and a 1-km influence zone.
All local bodies and planning units have been instructed not to process or sanction any developments in these areas.
The order, effective October 6 2025, includes a map marking the Ramsar boundary and 1-km buffer.
📍 Where the Ban Applies
The restricted zone covers major revenue villages:
Puzhuthivakkam, Madipakkam, Kulathur, Pallikaranai, Jalladianpet, Perumbakkam, Arasankalani, Semmancheri, Sholinganallur, Karapakkam, Injambakkam, Okkiyam Thoraipakkam, Seevaram, Perungudi, Velachery.
💧 Why This Order Matters
🌊 Flood Control: The marsh acts as a natural flood buffer, absorbing excess rainwater. Dumping and encroachments choke its drainage channels.
🕊️ Biodiversity: A Ramsar-notified wetland, it hosts migratory birds and unique ecosystems.
⚖️ Legal Precedent: For the first time, CMDA has recognised the 1-km “zone of influence” as an enforceable ecological buffer.
🏘️ Impact on Buyers & Builders
- 🚫 No new approvals within 1 km until the TNSWA completes its study.
- 🔍 Existing approvals stand, but will face stricter checks.
- ⚠️ Claims of “approval in process” = major red flag.
- 📏 Even plots outside the marsh boundary may be restricted if within the 1-km buffer.
🛠️ Next Steps by Authorities
CMDA says it will update GIS maps and the Third Master Plan once TNSWA finalises the wetland survey.
Earlier TNSWA inspections already found debris within 150 m of the Ramsar site and warned that altered storm-water inlets could worsen Chennai’s flood vulnerability.
🧭 Verified.RealEstate Advisory
Before buying or building near Pallikaranai, Perumbakkam, or Sholinganallur:
- 🗺️ Check land classification and CRZ restrictions.
- 📜 Review TNSWA’s official survey maps.
- 🤖 Use Verified.RealEstate’s AI map tools to view terrain, flood risk, geology, and legal zone data instantly.