Over 300 Land Plots Identified Within Chennai’s Protected Pallikaranai Marsh: Wetland Authority Flags Encroachments

At least 304 survey numbers several of which already have buildings are located in the Ramsar-notified Pallikaranai Marshland in Chennai, a report presented by the Tamil Nadu Wetland Authority to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) last week revealed.

The report, supported by satellite imagery and records of e-governance, was submitted in a hearing in a suo motu case filed by the NGT in July 2023. The case was filed on allegations of a private builder constructing illegally a road by filling up the Perumbakkam section of the marsh with debris and soil by heavy machinery.

These pieces of land cover seven revenue villages Perumbakkam, Sholinganallur-I, Pallikaranai, Perungudi, Jalladianpet, Injambakkam, and Okkiyam Thoraipakkam. Although the information is preliminary now, the Directorate of Survey and Settlement is yet to confirm it. This confirmation will be vital for the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) to incorporate Ramsar limits and their impact zones in its future Master Plan 2026.

Following an October 2024 CMDA meeting, a decision was made to geo-tag all relevant survey numbers in coordination with Anna University and the Tamil Nadu e-Governance Agency to prevent mismatches — as several survey numbers contain a mix of marsh and built-up land.

The tribunal also raised concerns about whether the CMDA updated its Master Plan after the Perumbakkam area was notified as a Ramsar site in July 2022. Notably, the existing Second Master Plan continues to classify it as a ‘Primary Residential Zone.’

Earlier, the builder’s counsel claimed the disputed land was filled only to facilitate an official survey. Nevertheless, the Wetland Authority in July 2024 did report that building material was used to construct a road along the side of the Ramsar site.

The NGT directed CMDA in April 2025 to give a detailed update about how it intends to alter its master plan considering the protected status of the wetland and set out measures to protect Ecologically Sensitive Zones.