Archive of Vol. XVI No. 13, October 16-31, 2006
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Reg. No. TN/PMG (CCR) /814/06-08 Licence No. WPP 506/06-08 Registered with the Registrar of Newspapers for India under WE CARE FOR MADRAS THAT IS CHENNAI R.N. 53640/91 INSIDE Short ‘N’ Snappy A winner from Chennai MADRAS The greening of Chennai The Sisters as neighbours MUSINGS Cheetahs, rugby champs Rs. 5 per copy Vol. XVI No. 13 October 16-31, 2006 (Annual Subscription: Rs. 100/-) THE ADYAR CREEK OVER THE YEARS 985 WWF-Indias Tamil Nadu State Office asks the State Adyar Creek and Estuary. Directed by the High Court, on 1 Government of Tamil Nadu to declare the Adyar Creek 2.4.1998, the State Department of Environment issues specific and Estuary a Protected Area. The State Government feels a directions to different agencies to expedite the declaration of the ban on hunting would suffice. area as protected under the Wildlife Protection Act. 1993 The Government of Tamil Nadu decides to construct 2001 The High Court dismisses the appeal filed by the State an auditorium and memorial for Dr. Ambedkar on five acres in Government, and the Division Bench upholds the directions to the Adyar Creek. Environmental groups in Madras challenge the the State Government to remove the sands spread on the west- decision in Court. In a landmark judgement, Justice Kanakaraj ern side of the said five acre plot and restore the said area to its allows construction of the memorial to an extent of only 1.5 acres original position The entire lowlying wetland shall be main- at one end of the identified site. Even though restrained from tained and preserved as low-lying wetlands. constructing an auditorium or any other type of building in the 2004 The Commissioner, Corporation of Chennai, confirms Isnt my Grandpa really cute? area, the State Government appeals to the Division Bench and goes ahead with the construction of the Dr. Ambedkar Memorial to CAG, on request, that an eco-park was being developed in New Age anyone? on 0.75 acre, utilising the remaining 0.75 acre for provision of the area in conformity with the Madras High Court order. On lawns and landscaping. September 13th, representatives of some NGOs and public-spir- 1994 The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority ited individuals met the Commissioner and sought more details. Newpapers recently carried The group, after a detailed analysis, presented a proposal to the reports about a certain (CMDA) comes up with a proposal to develop the Creek into a Wooded Area. It budgets Rs.7.50 crore for developmental Corporation on how the sensitive Adyar Creek and wetland area former Ruler of the Free could be restored to its original position. The Commissioner World (Who comes up works consisting of various concrete constructions and artificial ponds for boating, etc. On the Consumer and civic Action sought a proposal from an Auroville environmentalist, a with these titles, anyway?!) foreigner, who held discussions with the local group and has now celebrating his 60th birthday. Groups (CAGs) suggestion, the CMDA withdraws the Wooded Area proposal in April 1997 and confirms that it is taking steps prepared a proposal. Very nice except that, appar- to hand over the land to the Forest Department. 2006 The Commissioner tells the Press ecological restora- ently, in these unsettled 1997 Noticing further construction activity, over 3000 tion of the Adyar Creek is being taken up with an enhanced times, 60 is the new 40. Chennai residents from various environmental groups embark on outlay provided. This is a definite shock. a signature campaign against the repeated destruction of the S.M. There you were, all set to greet the now-definite signs of ageing with a welcoming whoop, looking forward to The Adyar Creek: Whats its flab, endless TV, and the sheer fun of offering un- wanted opinions and then taking refuge behind the age future? factor (you can still get away with that in these parts). (by Shobha Menon) And now youre being told he Chennai Corporation ning. Thereafter, there was si- it aint over yet. Trecently announced that it lence on all sides except for an There is too much pressure on is taking up the ecological res- Auroville environmentalist metro-zens to earn the You toration of the Adyar Creek drawing up plans for the by- dont look it at allaccolade, with inputs from conservation- then protected (with a wall) when their age is revealed. ists based in Auroville near Creek, after discussions with You can no longer sink gently Pondicherry. Stating that the the citizens group. into distinct non-achieve- original outlay of Rs.50 crore for The Corporation is now talk- ment, refuse to dress for an the project has been increased ing of developing the wall-pro- occasion, or let midriffs cre- ate their own identities. to Rs.100 crore, the Corpora- tected Creek area into a recre- tion spoke of developing a ational space. Various ecolo- Incidentally, with answers be- world-class aquarium, a park gists and citizens of Chennai coming so layered, all those nosy official documents and a host of additional facili- who had earlier been consulted need to be informed that ties, including boating. by the Corporation have, since more space is required next All this is at variance with (Continued on page 2) Business as usual inside the market. to the column marked Age. what the Corporation discussed The next time you inadvert- with a group of eco-citizens in Another Luz landmark endangered ently wander into a restau- 2004. The subsequent proposal rant clearly inappropriate submitted to the Corporation nother Mylapore land- (by A Staff Reporter) this property is and what proof for your age and natural by the citizens group for eco- A mark is likely to be soon time ago is trying to get the he has. It may, however, safely hair-colour, just stare right restoration of the entire Creek wiped out. Thaneerthurai Mar- hawkers at the market to va- be assumed that the hawkers back at the beardless young- area was significant for two rea- ket in Luz, a neighbour of the cate. Though half of them have staying on will also move out if ster giving you the censori- sons it attempted to imple- they can negotiate a decent ous eye, and snap: Dont Sri Anjaneyar Temple on vacated their business space ment the orders of the Madras Royapettah High Road, is living after being paid some compen- compensation. Which is pos- you give me attitude. Ac- High Court in letter and in sible as the buzz is that a huge cording to Those Who its last days. The bulldozers are sation, about 40 others have Know, Im just a few years spirit, and to present a localised just waiting for the signal to raze taken the issue to court. A law- commercial complex is to come older than you. Which plan developed by citizens that what has been the most yer for the hawkers says that he up here. places you somewhere be- would breathe life into the 74th favoured market for three gen- got a court injuction that the Thaneerthurai Market grew tween the crib and a high Constitutional Amendment erations of Mylaporeans. hawkers should not be dis- out of the landing trade that chair. that focusses on decentralised A person claiming to have turbed. He says that it is still not took place in this area some 150 and participatory urban plan- Ranjitha Ashok purchased this property some clear who the rightful owner of (Continued on page 7) CMYK 2 MADRAS MUSINGS October 16-31, 2006 ADYAR CREEKS Campaigns that care FUTURE? (Continued from Page 1) floods and tidal waves (storm surges). Suffice it to say that the not for the citizen the announcement, been ex- area is a highly sensitive ecosys- pressing their concern. tem justifying classification un- hey have emerged sud- This involves convoys of MMM is delighted to hear T. Murugavel, Co-ordinator der CRZ-I and warranting ur- Tdenly and are now visible autorickshaws blaring out mu- this and only hopes that the Projects , Environment Moni- gent protection, as an endan- all over the State. Reports of sic, with party flags stuck at all rest of the city too would gear toring and Action Initiating gered metropolitan wetland. their presence are coming in odd angles and giant cutouts of up to become truly interna- (EMAI), says, Its good to learn Naturalist S. Theodore Bas- from such far off locations as the candidates and their sym- tional by way of civic ameni- that the Government has plans karan urges the entire ecosys- Tirumalarayasamudram and bols. This motley collection ties. to develop a Nature Park at tem to be left alone. Natural Narthamalai. They lurk in takes to the streets and blocks Mosquito menace the Adyar Creek. However, it is geographical features should street corners in groups and all other traffic. The rest of the not clear what they mean. not be meddled with. Estuaries rise together as soon as they roadusers are forced to follow hikungunya, which has Adyar Creek and Estuary are and waterfalls have evolved sight an unwary passerby. Dur- the convoys which take their Cbeen taking a heavy toll ing the day they collect in gangs own time in moving. Public unique ecosystems. The Gov- over millions of years. Deepen- in the city and the rest of the ernment should treat them as ing for boating facilities will and target specific neigh- meetings are held at street cor- State, appears to be a hot elec- bourhoods where they go from ners where, to the complete tion issue. There are charges fragile ecosystems and not as definitely drive away the waders house to house.