அகத்தீ-- காலநிலை நீதிக்கான பயணம்
Climate Justice Tour (Toxic tour)
13/07/25
Growing up, visits to my grandparents in North Chennai were filled with a certain acceptance of our surroundings. The fine layer of coal dust in the air from the port and the smokestacks of thermal power plants painting the skyline were just "normal"—the unquestioned signs of development. I, like many, was a silent spectator, assuming it was the price of progress.
Climate Justice Tour, however, shattered that illusion. Standing at Ennore Creek, seeing the degraded wetlands, I was confronted with a starkly different reality. The tour, expertly guided by @YFC Prashanth CCAG (Chennai Climate Action Group (CCAG)) and @Bharathi Kannan tholar peeled back the layers of "development" to reveal the devastating cost beneath.
This new perspective has left me with burning questions:
* Why is the life expectancy of my grandparents and relatives in North Chennai lower than those in less industrialized areas? Is this the silent health crisis we've chosen to ignore?
* Why are unsustainable, profit-driven projects allowed to decimate the environment, threaten the livelihoods of fishing communities like Nallathani Odai Kuppam, and destroy the very ecosystems that protect us from floods?
* How have we allowed the slow annihilation of our precious coastal commons—the rivers, creeks, and dunes—in the name of corporate greed?
- Madhavraj
Last 10 years of my journey with nature (Rock, Sand, Plants, Animals, Birds, Fish and Human) was awesome and every journey teach many things but this trip has taught many things in half a day. The questions what is still lingering is...
1. What is development?
2. What and Whose cost we do the development?
3. Why people to die for corporate profit?
4. What is democracy and what the democratic government is doing against the welfare of people?
5. Why people has to seek court to sustain their place of living ... Right to good air and water
6. How we are also part of the crime in killing the mother earth?
7. Why we all become so greedy and suffer?
God or Almighty or One Consciousness what ever way we call it will not leave us for the injustice we do it for our future generation.
- Sankar
Last Sunday was not the regular one. We as family were ready by 4.30 am to be a part of ‘Journey to justice for climate change' கால நிலை நீதிக்கான பயணம் organised by Agathi and Chennai Climate Action Group(CCAG). Previously called as toxic tour!
Mr. Prasanth from CCAG joined us and enlightened us by making us think and discuss the issues. We covered important spots from Marina to Ennore-Kattupalli region to understand the coastal erosion, history of Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) in Ennore, resettlement colonies, environmental degradation due to TPPs, function of river mouth, importance of wetlands, floodplains and sand dunes.
First we stopped at Kasimedu Fishing Harbour and discussed about the difference between a port and harbour.Then We visited Naneer kuppam which is no where now. We could see only a Temple which was once a western entrance of the kuppam.The place is completely under water now.
On the way from Marina to Ennore we noticed the length of the sand shore is decreasing. We understood its because of the port which interupts the natural flow of sediments. To prevent the erosion loads of stones are laid on the ocean at definite intervals.
At Burma nagar playground we could a see a line of Housing board flats built very near to Thermal plant which is not in operations now.The air in this region is toxic because of emissions from TPP’S and other industries. People living in this area are facing severe breathing issues .Increasing number of cancer patients are also reported because of air and water pollution.
At Ennore creek bridge we could smell the toxins in air and could feel mild irritation also.The main pollutants from Thermal power stations are ash and hot water.We could a see large area covered by ashes up to 8feet.The land has become completely barren not even karuvelam tree is growing there.We could see dried karuvelam stems there.
Prasanth told us about Adani port expansion of about 3000 acres in sea and 3000 acres in land. This will affect the mangrove forest and sand dunes in land which may lead to severe floods during rains. Because of L&T port Kattupally residents are provided new space which is away from the sea and doesnt have direct acess to sea.Also they were promised for permanent jobs but they still work on contract basis for low wages.We also saw local women catching prawns by walking in the river bed. What will happen to their livelihood if port expansion happens? .I was left with so many questions,
1. Is it only the problem of North Chennai people?
2. Does not the toxins from North Chennai comes to us?
3. What are we going to give our children (next generation) without good air to breath and good water to drink? Is it not the Right of every human being?
4. Is this the development/growth which we are all aiming for? If yes then for whom is the development?
- Subha
Toxic Environmental Tour
Kasimedu port
Nallathanni kuppam
Thiruvottriyur
Kamarajar port
Athipattu
Kattupakkam
L&T Adani port
Buckingham canal and Kottravai river joining in Bay of Bengal point.
Got a clear clarification for the below questions.
1.why Marina beach alone has sand, kasimedu nearby harbour area don't have.
2. How fishermen community evacuated from seashore village (kuppam)
3. Past - Present - Future. Of Chennai. Can be imagined.
4. Chennai will be expanded upto Villupuram in future. So what will be the role of corporate in demolishing nature and natural resources.
5. The damages caused by power stations, fertilizer companies in Thiruvottriyur.
- Kailash
In this trip we covered the important spots from Marina to Ennore-Kattupalli region to learn, understand and discuss the coastal erosion, history of Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) in Ennore, resettlement colonies, environmental degradation due to TPPs, function of river mouth, importance of wetlands, floodplains and sand dunes.
The following are the stops:
- Nallathani Odai kuppam
- Burma nagar playground
- Ennore Creek Bridge
- Seppakkam
- Kanni Kovil
- Chintamani Eshwar temple dunes
- Karungali river mouth
Next tour date will be updated.
Join us.
To join our AGATHI WhatsApp group
Comments
Post a Comment