Environment | Citizen Matters, Chennai

COVID-19 WhatsApp hoax threatens Illupai trees across Chennai

April 23, 2020 T D Babu

Indian flying foxes visiting Illupai trees at night to feed on the fruits is a common scene in Chennai. A fake message linking these creatures with the novel coronavirus has led to many residents contemplating felling these trees. But here’s what you must know.

மீண்டும் ஒரு பசுமைப் புரட்சி – சென்னையில் வளர்ந்து வரும் மாடித்தோட்டங்கள்

March 19, 2020 Vadivu Mahendran

Terrace gardens are a growing phenomenon in the city. In this Tamil article, Vadivu Mahendran gives us some tips on how to set up and maintain a terrace garden and the many benefits it brings.

We must ensure that environment conservation is as exciting as a TV Show: Arun Krishnamurthy, EFI

February 28, 2020 Aruna Natarajan

The Environmentalist Foundation of India (EFI) is one of the key organisations engaged in water bodies restoration in Chennai. In an interview with Citizen Matters, founder Arun Krishnamurthy talks about the process and how invested volunteers can help transform the city’s water bodies.

பள்ளிக்கரணை சதுப்பு நிலத்தை காக்கவல்ல சர்வதேச குறியீடு

February 26, 2020 Laasya Shekhar

The Pallikaranai marshland has shrunk in size due to encroachments and dumping of waste. Read the Tamil translation of our article that looked at whether a Ramsar tag could help save Pallikaranai.

Why Chennai’s young bird watchers are much more than just that

February 5, 2020 Laasya Shekhar

By introducing more and more people to the larger eco-system that the city shelters, and educating them about the importance of water bodies critical to its sustenance, these birders are giving a boost to environmental conservation at large.

How an international tag can help save the Pallikaranai marshland

January 29, 2020 Laasya Shekhar

From 13,500 acres in 1972, the Pallikaranai marshland has shrunk to a mere 1,500 acres due to rampant encroachment and continuous dumping of municipal waste. While the Corporation plans to biomine the area to restore the wetland, citizen activists are pinning hopes on Ramsar recognition for the site.

அழிவை நோக்கி மெல்ல செல்லும் கொரட்டூர் ஏரியை நம்மால் மீட்க முடியுமா?

January 21, 2020 Laasya Shekhar

Water bodies across the city have suffered the impact of encroachment and discharge of sewage and effluents. The fate of Korattur Lake is no different. Read the Tamil translation of our article on the slow demise of this vital water body.

Could Chennai see a repeat water crisis in 2020? Hear what Tamil Nadu Weatherman has to say

January 20, 2020 Aruna Natarajan

We catch up with Tamil Nadu Weatherman, Pradeep John, to hear his analysis of the north east monsoon this year, and if the city will have enough water to tide over the summer.

How clean is litter-free Bessie beach, really?

January 10, 2020 Laasya Shekhar

Three days after the Chennai Corporation declared Besant Nagar Beach litter free, we spoke to a few visitors to gauge the ground reality.

ஆக்கிரமிப்பினால் காணாமல் போன வட சென்னையின் ஏழு நீர்நிலைகள்

January 6, 2020 Laasya Shekhar

Water bodies in North Chennai have disappeared over the last three decades to rampant commercialisation and encroachment. Read the Tamil version of our reportage on the issue here.

The slow killing of Korattur Lake: Can it be reversed?

January 3, 2020 Laasya Shekhar

Water crisis is not in the news now. But in two months, fifty thousand houses surrounding Korattur lake are likely to be struggling for water because the lake is polluted yet again, and the concerned authorities do not seem to be looking at long term solutions seriously.

Missing! How six ponds in North Chennai have disappeared in the face of rampant commercialisation

December 27, 2019 Laasya Shekhar

There was a time when children went fishing, women drew water at these ponds and senior citizens took walks around them every evening. Today, the water bodies have been replaced by largely barren plots with small scattered pools of water.

71 done, 139 in progress: Efforts to restore Chennai water bodies show promise

December 12, 2019 Nina Varghese

Out of 3,000 water bodies in Chennai city, 210 have already been taken up for restoration. The work entails desilting as well as removing water hyacinth and garbage in the water bodies. Here are more details about the same.

Let’s go to Spring Potato beach; sorry, we mean Besant Nagar beach

December 8, 2019 Mahesh V

Besant Nagar beach is unrecognisable to old timers, thanks to over a hundred Spring Potato shops. What do they sell? Do they get any customers? Don’t they need permission to operate in a public space? What’s it doing to the beach? Many questions, few answers..

Fishermen contest charges of encroachment in Thiruvanmiyur

December 3, 2019 Sukriti Vats

Recent construction of some shanties and a road for better access and mobility by the fishing community has been labelled as encroachment after complaints from residents in nearby locations. However, the community rebuts charges and enjoys the support of environmental activists.

No waiting for the government, friends of Kotturpuram Tree Park begin replanting

November 20, 2019 Meenakshi Ramesh

Tired of waiting for PWD to fulfil its promise, volunteers sourced and planted saplings in an effort to restore the tree cover at Kotturpuram Tree Park.

Parrots in Chennai? This man knows thousands of them…

November 14, 2019 Lata Ramaseshan

Meet the indefatigable Sekar, the birdman of Chennai, who feeds thousands of parrots on his rooftop. The birds keep their appointment with him every single day!

‘Smart’ T Nagar among top five polluted neighbourhoods in Chennai: Report

November 11, 2019 News Desk

The spike in pollution levels has been drawing public attention in Chennai over the last one week. But a study from Health Energy Initiative and Doctors for Clean Air-Tamil Nadu shows that poor air quality in the city is neither an isolated nor a seasonal incident.

Pollution red alert: Chennai’s Delhi moment is almost here

November 8, 2019 Mahesh V

Are you aware that on the afternoon of Nov 7th, the Air Quality Index (AQI) level in Velachery stood at 271, only marginally better than Delhi’s (282) at the same time? Both data from monitors and snapshots from different areas in the city show why we need urgent action on air pollution.

How industrialisation has rung the death knell for Ennore’s ecology

October 29, 2019 Laasya Shekhar

Environmental degradation at Ennore due to industrialisation has resulted in the loss of livelihood for many fishermen. How was this locality twenty years ago? We spoke to several local residents as they take a trip down memory lane.