Interim zone of influence around Pallikaranai marshland can be restricted to 36 survey numbers, State Wetlands Authority tells Madras High Court
The Tamil Nadu State Wetlands Authority has proposed a restricted 'Zone of Influence' around the Pallikaranai marshland to the Madras High Court. This move aims to resolve a construction ban that has affected numerous property owners, with real estate developers expressing support for the new, more limited scope.
Why it matters
This development balances environmental conservation efforts with the economic interests of property owners and the real estate sector in Chennai.
In a major relief to hundreds of property owners affected by a construction ban imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) within a radius of one kilometre around the boundaries of Pallikaranai marshland in Chennai, the Tamil Nadu State Wetlands Authority (TNSWA) on Monday (October 12, 2026) came up with an interim Zone of Influence (ZoI) without affecting much of the private patta lands.
Appearing before the first Division Bench of Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan, Additional Advocate General P.V. Balasubramaniam said, the TNSWA had identified land parcels in 36 survey numbers covering an approximate extent of 128.19 hectares which could be declared by the court as interim ZoI until the notification of final ZoI after undertaking an elaborate process.
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