Benisha B M

Art | Architecture | Envirnmentalist | Campaigner

[Smitha T K @smitha_tk]

Here is all that the MLA, Narayanan anna & hydrologists working with the state on environmental assessments:

https://t.co/wPfWSLPkyD

Since this article, MLA & fishers have met. But the people allege they aren’t being heard & there’s a lack of science in some of WRD’s findings.

[Smitha T K @smitha_tk]

Narayanan is a fisherman from Nemmeli. He calls me often to ask: ‘how to make reels? What’s @CMOTamilnadu address on Instagram? Apparently, this is the only way to reach him.’

The man is desperate to save his home & safeguard the wetland. Wants to go viral to be heard. Seen.

[Smitha T K @smitha_tk]

contrary to what we expected, most of the newly elected #TVK leaders of the state have not been responding to questions on individual issues. However, Vijayaraj B. Thiruporur MLA spoke to us in detail. Said is discussing with WRD the risks of flooding & compensation for fishers.

[Smitha T K @smitha_tk]

So I went through the #MamallanReservoir project’s environmental impact assessment (EIA) to understand if there was merit in these allegations. Here is what hydrologists and fishermen had to say:

https://t.co/wPfWSLPkyD

[Smitha T K @smitha_tk]

‘Who are we to change the contours drawn by nature?’ asks Narayanan, a fisherman.

For those who fish deep in the sea and the tidal pools, it is losing the only world they‘ve ever known. This wetland under the WRD @CMOTamilnadu has been also a seasonal habitat & flood buffer.

[Smitha T K @smitha_tk]

What’s happening is the state is converting the coastal wetland in Kovalam-Nemmeli backwaters into Chennai’s 6th drinking water reservoir. But fishermen & scientists have raised alarm that it isn’t ecologically viable. Will affect the natural flood barriers. Disrupt livelihoods.

[Smitha T K @smitha_tk]

Definitely the most talked environment issue in #Chennai in 4 months. Articles, Sunday beach marches, open mics,protests, releasing a regional wildlife book, roping in scientists, hydrologists and fishermen. Today, the people have started up a storm.

#ScrapMamallanReservoir

[NityanandJayaraman @NityJayaraman]

Kovalam wetlands host 15k birds during monsoons: Citizen Matters

@CMOTamilNadu Save Eurasian Spoonbill

#ScrapMamallanReservoir

[NityanandJayaraman @NityJayaraman]

Kovalam’s brackish waters are nurseries for prawn & fish: a source of nourishment for humans & non-human life.

@CMOTamilNadu why would anybody destroy this akshayapatram?

#ScrapMamallanReservoir

[NityanandJayaraman @NityJayaraman]

The only way Mamallan Reservoir will bring water to OMR is by aggravating flood risk.

@CMOTamilNadu save our natural flood buffers

#ScrapMamallanReservoir

[NityanandJayaraman @NityJayaraman]

Wetlands are not empty land, available for 'development'. Safeguard the right of water to flow and of wetness to remain in the lands.

[NityanandJayaraman @NityJayaraman]

When expert reports perform scientific hit jobs, science, and citizens suffer. @iitmadras's report on Mamallan reservoir done in just 3 days; forgets to account for the sea.

@CMOTamilNadu Read this & decide https://t.co/oCgPltmExo
#ScrapMamallanReservoir

[NityanandJayaraman @NityJayaraman]

If Chennai is water-scarce, stop inviting H2O-intensive industries like data centres. Don't sacrifice our living wetlands in Kovalam.
@CMOTamilnadu Listen to the people. #ScrapMamallanReservoir https://t.co/dZjqM9Als8

[NityanandJayaraman @NityJayaraman]

Kovalam-Nemmeli salt marshes are livelihood spaces, breeding & nesting grounds for birds, & nurseries for fish, prawn, crabs.

@CMOTamilnadu Don't bulldoze the space where life is made. #ScrapMamallanReservoir

[NityanandJayaraman @NityJayaraman]

Kovalam’s wader (shorebirds) diversity reflects water depth variation: TOI, E-Bird, Science Direct

@CMOTamilNadu Protect Chennai’s wetlands

#ScrapMamallanReservoir

[NityanandJayaraman @NityJayaraman]

Kovalam wetlands host 15k birds during monsoons: Citizen Matters

No world-class city without birds. @CMOTamilnadu
#ScrapMamallanReservoir

[NityanandJayaraman @NityJayaraman]

மணல் கொள்ளை. கோவளம் சதுப்பு நிலத்தை அடைக்க, மூன்று நிமிடத்திற்கு ஒரு லார்ரி லோட் மண். இந்த மண், எந்த மண்? எங்கிருந்து வந்த மண்? ஆய்வுகள் எங்கே? @CMOTamilnadu

[NityanandJayaraman @NityJayaraman]

Fools venture where angels fear to tread.

@CMOTamilnadu Don't ignore the warnings of real scientists. #ScrapMamallanReservoir

[NityanandJayaraman @NityJayaraman]

Water for fish, birds and people, not data centres.

@CMOTamilnadu Please #ScrapMamallanReservoir now.

[NityanandJayaraman @NityJayaraman]

Govt of Tamil Nadu's "Build first; plan later" policy is a recipe for disaster. Scientific study would've revealed project to destroy Nemmeli salt marsh as foolhardy.

@CMOTamilnadu Please #ScrapMamallanReservoir