Volunteers join in rally to save wetlands

The rally, organized by Save Chennai Wetlands, as part of the ‘Chennai Climate Strike’ initiative saw many school students, youngsters and NGOs who walked 1.3km at Besant Nagar. Several women also took part in the rally, holding placards with slogans like “Women hold the key to climate future”.

“This rally was the first step to focus on the critical environmental issues that the city is facing now — water scarcity, encroachment of wetlands and to stop Adani mega port at Kattupalli. Wetlands are important. They are not wastelands. No more carbon should be extracted from the soil,” said Niraj Bhatt, a researcher at Citizen, Consumer and Civic Action Group, an NGO.

The group has also filed a petition to the Chief Minister regarding the issue of water security and the significance of coastal eco-system. “We demanded the government to step in and make sure that Kattupalli port does not take away the wetlands,” said Niraj.

“Youngsters, nowadays, are not requesting the government but are demanding to step in and take action to secure their future, which is the right way to do. There were so many petitions filed, and protests were done against Adani port. But nothing has changed. We hope the government will take steps at least after this rally,” said Nitiyanand Jayaraman, an environment activist.