6 months ago
1
The Tamil Nadu State Wetland Authority (TNSWA) has reported a hold successful the effort to region the invasive charru mussels from Ennore Creek, with the ₹90-crore dredging task inactive connected clasp owing to the hold successful releasing the required funds.
In a caller study to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), it confirmed that contempt aggregate follow-ups, the funds needed to statesman the enactment had not been approved.
Srinivas R. Reddy, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force) and TNSWA Member-Secretary, submitted the report, stating that the dredging task connection was developed aft a gathering successful precocious July 2025, wherein officials of the Water Resources and Fisheries Departments came unneurotic to code the increasing mussel infestation. However, the required funds had not been sanctioned.
In its earlier order, the NGT expressed vexation implicit the delay, noting that respective weeks had passed since the connection was enactment forward, but the funds had not been released.
At a gathering convened connected September 17 this year, the Chief Secretary directed the departments and institutions acrophobic to taxable the last reports and initiate coordinated tract interventions for power and eradication of the invasive species.
According to the last study submitted by the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) connected October 22, invasive mussels were recovered successful 40% of the 249 sampling sites in Ennore Creek. The complaint of infestation was the highest adjacent bridges, mangroves, and concern discharge points, indicating the power of ballast h2o and pollution. The penetration had degraded habitats, displaced autochthonal bivalves, and reduced fishers’ monthly income from ₹30,000-₹50,000 to ₹5,000-₹10,000, forcing galore to wantonness freshwater fishing, the study said.
It recommended identifying and isolating hotspots, incentivising community-led manual removal earlier the monsoon, and utilizing controlled freshwater flushing to forestall recolonisation. It besides called for continuous monitoring, value-added usage of removed biomass, and coordinated efforts among probe bodies, section communities, and authorities departments. It noted sampling limitations owed to unseasonal rainfall and stressed the request for year-round monitoring.
