As the State government initiates settlement claims for villages within Pulicat Birds Sanctuary, concerns over the sanctuary’s shrinking eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) loom large. The government’s plan to denotify a significant area of the sanctuary has sparked worries among environmentalists and wildlife experts. With proposals for industrial expansion projects and development within the ESZ, there’s a growing fear of irreversible damage to the delicate ecosystem of Pulicat.
Environmental collectives are petitioning the authorities, emphasizing the wetland’s significance in providing livelihoods, supporting wildlife, and acting as a crucial climate buffer for Chennai. Despite calls for conservation, the settlement of claims marks the first step towards denotifying the sanctuary, raising concerns about the future of this biodiversity hotspot.
Source: ChennaiOnline.com