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PWD dumps debris into Perumbakkam
large amount of debris, which had been dumped in Perumbakkam near Pallikaranai marshland has blocked all the rainwater channels that lead to the marshland, posing a grave threat to the migratory birds known to visit the marshland at this time of the year. While residents are fearful that the blockage might cause flooding in the locality, bird watchers are concerned over the impact on the avians.
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migrator
migrator
Chennai
Both alleged that the Water Resources Department of the Public Works Department (PWD), despite repeated requests, has turned a deaf ear. KVRK Thirunaranan, a bird watcher and founder of The Nature Trust, said, “The Perumbakkam wetland remains as a main feeder to the Pallikaranai marshland. However, PWD officials have dumped debris inside
the Perumbakkam land, after creating a new canal and subsequently, many trucks dumped the garbage in the same place, blocking the water to the marshland.” This posed heavy threat to the resident and migratory birds, which are expected to arrive soon, he added.
Officials in the Forest department, which maintain the Pallikaranai marshland, said that they had already communicated the matter to PWD officials, who have promised to act on it within a week. PWD officials said that waterbody would be desilted soon.
Mahendrakumar, Junior Engineer, PWD (WRD) said, “We are working on the ‘Formation of Micro and Macro Drainage’ project near Perumbakkam road at the cost of Rs 9 crore. Although some debris is getting dumped near Perumbakkam wetland, we are gradually desilting. We will clear all the debris soon.”
Speaking to this newspaper, S Ashokan, District Forest Officer (DFO), Chennai, said “Since PWD officials had taken up a new channel near Perumbakkam, the amount of debris began to mount.
However, we have informed the concerned PWD officials to desilt soon.” Rainwater in the marshland has started receding and expectation is running high among the Forest officials and bird watchers that more number of migratory birds would arrive soon, he added.
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