CHENNAI: Pulling up the State government for its inaction in removing invasive Kakka Aazhi (Charru Mussel) from Kosasthalaiyar, the southern bench of the National Green Tribunal directed it to submit scientific studies to corroborate whether freshwater kills the species.
While hearing a case about the invasion of the alien species on Monday, the government advocate informed the tribunal that the removal of Kakka Aazhi could be done after the northeast monsoon in January, as freshwater during the rains would kill the mussels. Not convinced by this, the bench had sought scientific evidence to support this claim.
The bench pointed out that none of the reports submitted by Dr MGR Fisheries College and Research Institute, the Tamil Nadu Dr J Jayalalithaa Fisheries University, the Central Institute of Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), and the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) had stated that freshwater could kill mussels.
Recalling that directions were given in November 2023 to take action, the bench asked why the government had not mentioned the suggestion that freshwater would kill the species in the past one year. Was it not raining in Chennai last year, questioned the bench comprising judicial member Justice Pushpa Satyanarayana and expert member Satyagopal Korlapati.
Directing the State government to submit scientific studies to support their claim, the tribunal adjourned the next hearing to October 3.
During the hearing, the government advocate also informed the bench that the Water Resources Department officials had inspected Kosasthalaiyar and found that dredging was required immediately at three locations — Athipattu, Puzhuthivakkam, and Kattupalli — to ensure free flow of water. Otherwise, the dredging could only be done after the northeast monsoon, the officials had informed.
In the last hearing, the NGT had rejected the government's proposal to conduct a fresh study on the invasive species before taking action and directed it to prepare a plan of action by using already completed studies.