MAP SHOWING URBANIZATION Image Source: World urbanization prospectus: https://population.un.org/wup/publications/Files/WUP2018-Report.

pdf

• Chennai is the fourth largest city with a populace around 7 million occupants, which has been developing consistently.
• Chennai metropolitan stretches around 1189km sq., is a low lying area,
• Urban development which happened at a very short period, has caused couple of issue.
• As the coastal city veers between floods and droughts with increasing frequency, the debate on its causes has focused on how uncontrolled urbanization and poor planning has caused its current
crisis. .
• The urbanization of Chennai has happened at the cost of the integrity of its hydrology.
• The physical and chemical characteristics of the rivers inside the city limit has also been changed in the course contributing to the worse situation.

BACKGROUND: URBANIZATION IN CHENNAI

 CHENNAI CITY LIMITS

SO2 - 16 ug / m3 SO2 - 14 ug / m3
NO2 - 21 ug / m3 SO2 - 13 ug / m3
NO2 - 18 ug / m3
RSPM - 89 ug / m3 NO2 - 19 ug / m3
RSPM - 85 ug / m3
RSPM - 31 ug / m3

MOUNT ROAD THE ISLAND, RIVER ESTURY KING INSTITUTE

KAPALEESHWARAR TEMPLE ADAMBAKKAM LAKE

VENETIAN VADAPALANI KATHIPARAI JUNCTION
SO2 - 15 ug / m3 SO2 - 21 ug / m3 SO2 - 16 ug / m3 SO2 - 21 ug / m3
NO2 - 20 ug / m3 NO2 - 28 ug / m3 NO2 - 20 ug / m3 NO2 - 25 ug / m3
RSPM - 65 ug / m3 RSPM - 68 ug / m3 RSPM - 60 ug / m3 RSPM - 70 ug / m3

MADRAS CLUB MARMELONG MOVEMENT TRIPLICANE ASSAMBLIES

SO2 - 13 ug / m3 SO2 - 20 ug / m3 SO2 - 16 ug / m3
NO2 - 19 ug / m3 NO2 - 23 ug / m3 NO2 - 23 ug / m3
RSPM - 31 ug / m3 RSPM - 121 ug / m3 RSPM - 150 ug / m3

BACKGROUND: EXISTING SCENARIO OF URBANIZED AREA WHERE ENVIRONMENT IS AFFECTED

 • The physical and chemical characteristics of these rivers has been changed over the time, not
CHENNAI suitable for drinking, facing Drought conditions
• Urbanization is affecting land and the water, the land is polluted and built with concrete that does
not allow percolation of water which results in flooding.
• Because of the urbanization the river gets polluted.
• Urbanization has been a threat to the ecology of the Rivers

MAP SHOWING TAMILNADU

R.KOSASTHALAIYAR

RIVER: KOSASTHALAIYAR

R.COOUM

RIVER: COOUM

RIVER: ADYAR
R.ADYAR

• A study by Centre for environmental studies, Chennai highlights a comparative

analysis on Pollution status of the Adayar & Cooum Rivers.
• The study concludes with effects of urbanization and the chemical and physical
components of the river is change at different landuse. Cooum River is more affected
than adyar, as it passes through the dense urban environments

MAP SHOWING CHENNAI AND ITS RIVERS Picture credits: author

CASE SELECTION: RIVERS OF CHENNAI

 Shortest classified rivers draining into the Bay of Bengal.
72 km in length, flowing 32 km in the city of
Cooum River in Chennai, the natural spine of the city has got contaminated due to rapid
urbanization and industrial edge.
Polluted due to the disposal of sewage and solid wastes.
Cooum is much more polluted than the Adayar River mentions a study Cooum urban surroundings
are denser with less free space along the Riverbanks compared to the Adyar River

R.COOUM

RIVER: COOUM

A study by Centre for environmental studies, Chennai highlights a comparative analysis on

Pollution status of the Adayar & Cooum Rivers.
The study concludes with effects of urbanization and the chemical and physical components of
the river is change at different landuse. Cooum River

MAP SHOWING CHENNAI AND ITS RIVERS Picture credits: author

BACKGROUND CASE SELECTION: COOUM RIVER Source: Report on Analysis on Pollution status of Chennai rivers
 • DISAPPEARING RIVER STREAM
• DISAPPEARING TANKS ALONG RIVERS
• CHANGE OF THE FLOW
• ENCROACHMENTS
• CHANGE OF LAND USE
• Cooum has been an integral part of the socio-
economic and cultural life of the city.
• Early navigation route
• Played a pivotal part in the far-flung maritime
trade between the Roman empire, South India
and Sri Lanka. Cooum's proximity to the ancient
port of Manarpha or Mylapore added to the
river's strategic importance. Manarpha was
frequented by Roman merchants

U
R
B
A
MAP SHOWING COOUM RIVER Picture source: oldmaps.com
N
MAP SHOWING COOUM RIVER Picture source: old maps
I
Z
A
RIVER: COOUM T
I
O
N

MAP SHOWING COOUM RIVER Picture source: google earth

BACKGROUND: EXISTING SCENARIO OF URBANIZED AREA WHERE THE RIVER IS AFFECTED

 Source: Google earth

CHINTANDRIPET
THIRUMANGALAM AMINJIKARAI

MOORES ROAD
(NUNGAMBAKAM)

THIRUVERKADU

NAPIER BRIDGE
MADURAVOYAL PANTHEON ROAD

THIRUMANGALAM: Household sewage are

discharged into the Cooum river water
course at this location. Similarly plastic
industries and workshops pertaining to
automobiles may be the causes for the
pollution at this site. NUNGAMBAKAMI: The neighborhood is PANTHEON ROAD: The
abound with multinational commercial uncontrolled discharge of NAPIER BRIDGE:
establishments, important government sewage, garbage, and There are approximately 337
THIRUVERKADU: starting point where the AMINJIKARAI: Petrochemical offices, foreign consulates, sprawling industrial effluents into the outlets into the polluted part of
chemical properties of the water is changed. industries and workshops educational institutions, shopping malls, downstream of the river the river, mostly executed by
Slums on one side and industries on the pertaining to automobiles are sporting facilities, tourist spots, star Cooum, percolates through Chennai metro water. The river
other side. highly available in this location hotels, restaurants, and cultural centers. the soil and contaminates the mouth near the Napier bridge
Nungambakkam is also a prime residential Groundwater gets blocked most of the times,
MADURAVOYAL The sediment sample were area in Chennai. The river course near this sources. preventing the river water from
taken from here to determine the heavy site gets polluted with in Chennai city limits draining into the Bay of Bengal,
metal contamination generally bridges acts due to letting of sewage and drainage hence the sewerage disposed
as a barrier which allows sediment to waters by slum dwellers, private parties, etc into the river stays in the river
deposit on their river bed and also many and also some industrial partly treated or and makes it a foul smelling pool
number of developing industries(Mechanical untreated wastes.
and Automobile) are the real threats

DETERIOTING WATER QUALITY AS IT REACHES TO THE BAY OF BENGAL

IMPACTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT source: upstraeam-downstream contamination gradient of the fluvial urban system in chennai
 Source: Google earth

IMPACTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT source: upstraeam-downstream contamination gradient of the fluvial urban system in chennai
 Source: Google earth

STATISTICAL DATA OF THE CHEMICAL PROPERTIES source: upstraeam-downstream contamination gradient of the fluvial urban system in chennai
The quality of sewage water from cooum river in Chennai in tamilnadu carried out much effluent, The study reveals
that the water of the cooum river is destroyed very badly as a result of addition of urban waste, domestic sewage,
which enters the river from both the banks during its course through the heart of Chennai city.
Direct discharge of human and animal waste not only imparts the quality of water but also affects the health of the
people down stream of Chennai city where the same water is used for washing, bathing and sometimes for drinking
purposes after purifying. The urban runoff and continuous dumping of was materials especially sanitary waste are
affecting the water quality of cooum river. There is considerable need for better understanding of these small rivers so
that they can be managed effectively.
The sediments in waterways might be of alluvium from underlying alluvial basin, sediment transported by the
waterways from upstream, marine sediment transported across or into river mouths by along shore drift, runoff from
the city, direct discharges from industries and direct disposal of solid wastes. The littoral drift results in formation of
sand bar at the mouth of Cooum are solely due to the arresting of littoral drift by the construction of Chennai Harbor

STUDY OF COOVUM WATER SAMPLE STATISTICS

• The Cooum River originates in a village of the same name in Kadambathur union in Tiruvallur district, about 70
kilometres from Chennai.
• Flowing through Thiruverkadu, it enters the Chennai District at Arumbakkam after meandering for about 54
kilometres (34 mi).
• It then passes through some of the oldest residential areas for another 18 kilometres such as Choolaimedu,
Chetpet, Egmore and Chintadripet, where the river channel is about 30 metres (98 ft) wide.
• Close to Egmore, the river forks into two—the northern and the southern arms—both of which join again near the
Napier bridge, thus forming an island, known as the Island Grounds.
• The northern part of the Buckingham Canal joins the Cooum near the old Central Jail while the southern part of
the same canal emerges from the river, just behind the University of Madras campus. The river finally joins the Bay
of Bengal south of the Fort St George, just below the Napier Bridge.
• Once a fresh water source, it is today a drainage course inside the city of Chennai, collecting surpluses of 75 small
tanks of a minor basin.
• Once a fishing river, it has borne the brunt of the city's unplanned developmental explosion.
• The Kesavaram dam diverts the river into the Chembarambakkam Lake from which water is used for the supply of
drinking water to the city of Chennai.
• Thereafter, the flow of water in the river is much reduced.

STUDY OF COOVUM RIVER ORIGIN

 Source: Google earth

CHINTANDRIPET
THIRUMANGALAM AMINJIKARAI

MOORES ROAD
(NUNGAMBAKAM)

THIRUVERKADU

NAPIER BRIDGE
MADURAVOYAL

COOUM RIVER WATERSHED AREAS Picture credits: author

LAND USE: WATER SHED

• Commercial land use stretch along the poonamallee main road and informal settlements or small-scale industrial
activities on the riverside stretch. Commercial land use adjacent to the main road and residential land use on the
second layer. Major Junction of the city where the river meets commercial land use directly.
• Residential land use is the major use along the corridor but there is no connectivity along Few government structures
along the river with Islands ground on another side, part of the ground is used for exhibitions and trade fairs
• The densely packed multiple use of the lands along the river does not allow any water percolation. That leads to
severe flooding conditions.

COOUM RIVER WATERSHED AREAS Picture credits: www.cmdachennai.gov.inn

ISSUE: FLOODING AND DROUGHT

This is once fishingriver and boat racing ground has borne the brunt of the city’s population
explosion. The estimation of discharge plays an important role in planning and management of
water resources in the catchment area. Owing to intensive use of surface water upstream for
agriculture, indiscriminate pumping of ground water leading to reduced base flow in the river,
formation of sand bar at the mouth of the river, discharge of untreated sewage and industrial
effluents and encroachment along the banks, the river, especially the downstream, has been highly
polluted. Along with the ADYAR River trifurcates the city and separates northern Chennai from
central Chennai.

A. Digital Elevation Model (DEM) B. Land Use C. Soils Data D. Weather Data
Used to delineate the watershed and subbasins as The dominant categories are urban (57.37%) Major portion covers in this area is SWAT needs daily rainfall, maximum and
the drainage surfaces, stream network and longest and Agricultural land (generic) (11.75%). habitation (60%). minimum temperature for hydrologic simulation.
reaches. The topographic parameters such as terrain
slope, channel slope or reach length are also derived
from the DEM.
Watershed delineation is the process of identifying the
natural drainage pattern in the river basin for delineating the
streams, demarking the contributing watershed area and
subdividing a large river basin into small subunits called sub
basins. Based on these manually added outlets and the
natural topography, the watershed was divided into 29 sub
basins, based on the unique land use and soil type
combination, the sub basins were further subdivided into
HRU’s (Hydrologic Response Unit) for hydrologic
simulation. HRU represent a patch of land within the sub
basin with similar land use and soil. Hence, the individual
land parcels included within an HRU are expected to possess
similar hydrologic characteristics and can be simulated as a
Watershed delineation Hydrograph from the simulation single unit.
Hydrological Modelling of Cooum River Basin using GIS and SWAT Model (IJRASET),
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325474828
EVS ENVIRONMENT AROUND THE RIVER WATERSHED
 FISHES FISHES
MACROFAUNA
 
 
Acentrogobius neilli Day Magolops cyprinoides (Broussonel)
Mollusca
Ambassis miops Gunther Megalops cyprinoides 
Anisus (Diplodiscus)
Amblypharyngodon microlepis (Blkr.) Microphis brachyurus (Bleeker)
Hyptocylos (Bensen)
Amblypharyngodon mola Hamilton Microphis cuncalus (Ham.)
Pilaglobosa (Swainson)
Anguilla bengalensis Gray Mugil cephalus (Linnaeus)
Pilavirens (Lamark)
Anguilla bicolor Mc Clelland Mugil microlepis (Smith)
Planorbis exustus (Deshayes)
Awaous gutum (Ham.) Muraena sp.
Vivipara sengalensis
Channa orientalis (Bloch & Schn.) Mystus gulio (Ham.)
 
Channa punctatus (Bloch) Mystus vittatus (Bloch)
CRUSTACEA
Channa striatus (Bloch) Mystus vittatus (Bloch)
 
Chela cachius (Ham.) Oligolepis acutipennis (Val.)
Macrobrachium javanicum (Heller)
Clarias batrachus (Linnaeus) Oreochromis mossambica (Peters)
Macrobrachium lamarrei (H. Milne Edwards)
Colisa fasciata (Schneider) Oryzias melastigma (Mc Clelland)
Macrobrachium rosenbergi (de Man)
Eleotris fusca (Sch.) Oxygaster bacaila Hamilton
 
Elops machnata (Forskal) Parluciosoma daniconius (Ham.)
INSECTA
Engraulis purava Puntius amphibia (Valencienes)
 
Esomus dandricus (Hamilton) Puntius amphibious (Val.)
Anisops nivea Fieber
Etroplus maculatus (Bloch) Puntius sophor (Hamilton)
Diplonychus indicus
Etroplus suratensis (Bloch) Puntius vittatus Day
Gerrid sp.
Glossogobius giuris (Ham.) Rasbora daniconius (Hamilton)
Hydrometra sp.
Labeo calbasu (Ham.) Salmostoma bacaila (Ham.)
Laccotrephes sp.
Lates calcarifer (Bloch) Terapon jarbua (Forsskal)
Limnogonus fossarum fossarum
Leiognathus aculeatum (L.) Tilapia mossambica (Peters)
Micromecta punctata (Fieb)
Leiognathus sp.  
Nepa sp.
Lepidocephalus thermalis (Val.) AMPHIBIA
Ranatra sp.
Liza macrolepis (Smith) Rana hexadactyla
Sphacrodema annulatum Fabr.
Macrognathus aral (Bl. & Sch.) Rana syanaphlyctis Schneider
 
Macrognathus pancalus Ham. Rana limnocharis Boie
 
Macrognatus aculeatum (Bloch)  
  REPTILES
Natrix sp.

EVS FAUNA SPECIES OF COOVAM RIVIER STATISTICS

 TRANSFORMATIONS OF RIVERFRONTS:
When compared to the past, the present status of riverfronts has transformed or deteriorated because of one main invasion which is “urbanization”. By definition,
change means to give a completely different form or appearance to, but progress suggests forward movement or advancement. Many of these changes are fine, as long
as it means progress but in vain.

CAUSES FOR TRANSFORMATION:

When the natural process of the river water cycle is altered it results in lots of transformations in the river and also on the riverfront.
• When the natural terrain is altered (encroachments on the water catchment area) – water flow is interrupted and so water stagnates.
• Percolation of water does not occur because of non permeable surfaces in the urban zone.
• Excessive tapping of water and less percolation rate reduces the water table in the river.
• Desire and high demand to accommodate more buildings.
• Illegal sewage outfalls; illegal dumping of building rubble, debris; open air defecation
• Population growth; densification; slum development
• Lack of political will, co-ordination among institutions, inability to solve environmental problems, improper/ inadequate management, poor planning, lack of public
awareness and knowledge.

The flood way and the flood plain is the area next to the river channel, which floods during monsoon and also When the riparian zone is altered because of people’s intervention in the
known as riparian zones. name of development and urbanization, without proper knowledge of the
ecosystem, then it is harmful to such ecosystem.

Source: KAVITHA. A. Impact of urbanization on rivers of Chennai, International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, Volume 4, Issue 5, May-
2013

EVS ENVIRONMENT AROUND THE RIVER EFFECTS

RIVER WATER-HYDROLOGICAL CYCLE
A river which is nourishing in terms of its hydrological cycle enriches the The River Cooum, once a fresh water source is today a drainage course collecting
3 main ecosystems namely the aquatic (water ecosystem), riparian (water surpluses of 75 small tanks of a minor basin. The length of the river is about 65
and land and the upland (land). km, of which 18 km, fall within the Chennai city limits. This was once a Fishing
River & boat racing ground and now has borne the “gift” of the city's unplanned-
ignorant exploitation. The upper catchment area which lies in the rural zone
(32km) is still utilized for agriculture and for water supply. Whereas the peri urban
(24 km) and urban zone (16km) suffer in great water pollution through solid waste
dumping and encroachments.
In a dry season, the river is found contaminated with polluted water discharged by
Chennai water Board (from ETP) and by a large number of surrounding industries
- About 30 per cent of the untreated sewage gets into the Cooum river.

DIFFERENT ECOSYSTEMS ALONG THE BANKS OF A

RIVER
A river which is nourishing in terms of its hydrological cycle enriches the
3 main ecosystems namely the aquatic (water ecosystem), riparian (water
and land and the upland (land).

Cooum river estuary – cooum mouth has become a deposit creating

breeding ground for mosquitoes and dangerous diseases

Source: KAVITHA. A. Impact of urbanization on rivers of Chennai, International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, Volume 4, Issue 5, May-
2013

EVS ENVIRONMENT AROUND THE RIVER EFFECTS

RESULTS OF TRANSFORMATION:

When compared to the past, the present status of cooum has transformed a lot during the course of time, the major transformations are …
The ill effects of transformations are,
• CHANGES IN WATER QUALITY – potable water into toxic and non potable.
• CHANGES IN WATER USAGE – waterways turned into sewage dumps.
• CHANGES IN AESTHETICAL QUALITY – now as an eyesore.
• LAND USE CHANGE – when river fronts are not user friendly.
• Increase in POLLUTIONS – sewage, sullage etc.
• Leads to many HEALTH HAZARDS.
• SLUM DEVELOPMENT AND ENCROACHMENTS along the banks of the river.
• INCREASE IN INDUSTRIALIZATION decreases the alertness towards protecting the natural beauty.
• A river stretch which was once considered as the “REACHING SALVATION”, NOW ACTS AS A DRAINAGE DITCH.
• Once LEISURE BOATING activities took place but now it is unpleasant to even imagine boating there.

PROBLEMS IN URBAN ZONE:

• Basically an urban sewer -Acts as an eyesore within the city limits.

• Illegal encroachments along banks of the river.
• Non –coverage by the sewerage system of approx. 30% of the population along the banks of the cooum.
• Flooding and overflowing during monsoon; slow flow and stagnation (dry season
• Blockage by sandbar resulting from littoral drift at the mouth, no free flow to the sea. The river bed level at mouth is below mean sea level.(#-1.0m)
• Heavy pollution load- high BOD, low or nil DO, high SSC.
• Illegal sewage outfalls; illegal dumping of building rubble, debris; open air defecation
• Population growth; densification; slum development
• No tourism and recreation- no walkways, lawn, gardens, parks: unsafe for pleasure boating, bathing, swimming, fishing; denial of sustainable tourism asset.
• Lack of political will, co-ordination among institutions, inability to solve environmental problems, improper/ inadequate management, poor planning, lack of public
awareness and knowledge.
• Land values near cooum are depressed.

EVS ENVIRONMENT AROUND THE RIVER EFFECTS

 • LOCAL AUTHORITY
• CHENNAI METROPOLITIAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (CMDA)
• CHENNAI METROPOLITIAN WATERSUPPLY AND SEWERAGE BOARD (CMWSSB)
• CHENNAI RIVERS RESTORATION TRUST (CRRT)
• NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
• TAMILNADU URBAN HABITAT DEVELOPMENT BOARD (TNUDB)
• PWD

RIVER DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS:

• Integrated Cooum River Eco-Restoration Plan

• Chennai City River Conservation Project (CCRCP) 2017

EVS AUTHORITIES AND RIVER DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AUTHORITIES

CHENNAI CITY RIVER CONSERVATION PROJECT

Government of Tamil Nadu jointly with Ministry of Environment and Forest (National River Conservation Directorate), Government of India undertook a comprehensive
study examining the cause of pollution of the water ways and its impact on the environment and formulated "Chennai City River Conservation Project".

Chennai City has six waterways viz. Adyar, Cooum, Buckingham canal, Otteri Nullah, Captain Cotton Canal and Mambalam Drain.

Essentially these river functions as a flood carriers and have flows for about 2 months during monsoon. During the remaining part of the year the flow is mainly due to
discharge of treated, partially treated and untreated sewage through about 311 out falls meant for storm water discharge, resulting in accumulation of large volume of sludge
and formation of sand bar in the mouth of rivers. These overflows have created significant problems for flood protection system, storm water drain net works and public
health leading to over all environmental degradation. Hence, long term objective of the project is to holistically improve the waste water or sewage disposal network so as to
prevent noxious substances from reaching the water ways.

The project aims to provide the following.

• Interceptor sewers along River banks.
• Increasing Pumping Potential of Sewage Pumping Stations.
• To achieve 100% effluent Standards of Sewage Treatment Plants as per the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board's norms.
• To increase the coverage of Agro-Forestry with treated sewage.
• To set up nursery of saplings of Agro-Forestry at Sewage Treatment Plants.
• Moreover, the capacity of the existing sewer system has become grossly inadequate and is in need of major improvements, if the discharge of untreated and partially
treated sewage into the City Water Ways is to be prevented.

The components pertaining to interception, diversion and treatment of sewage costing Rs.720.15 crores (prevention of raw and untreated sewage flow to water courses) would
be implemented by CMWSSB and supported by the Govt. of India, Ministry of Environment and Forests, National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD) on the following
funding pattern:

1. Grant from NRCD - Rs.491.52 Crores

2. Internal generation by CMWSSB - Rs.228.63 Crores

This comprises of "Interception, Diversion and Treatment of Sewage" in all the five zones and providing additional 264 mld capacity of sewage treatment plants in four
locations. The works are planned to be executed in 16 Packages.

Out of the total CCEA approved cost of Rs.491.52 crores, the works were taken up under 16 Packages at an estimated cost of Rs.382.24 crores with a savings of Rs.109.28
crores.

Subsequently, NRCD has approved the Additional Works amountings to Rs2215.78 lakhs for expansion capacity and strengthening of sewerage system covering the necessary
stretches utilizing the savings of Rs.109.28 crores under CCRCP. The project cost of these additional works has to be shared by the Government of India and Government of
Tamilnadu in 70:30 ratios repectively.

EVS CHENNAI CITY RIVER CONSERVATION PROJECT POLICIES AND INATATIVES

The same year, an expert committee was set up to recommend flood mitigation measures, and the chennai metropolitan development authority (cmda) appointed a foreign firm
to prepare the chennai metro flood relief/storm water drainage master plan for the city. After conducting simulation model studies, the firm has submitted its report. Its main
recommendation is removal of encroachments.

Encroachments and obstructions to the waterways are indeed the main causes for floods in the city, and clearing the encroachments will no doubt provide relief. The level of
encroachment has increased manifold between 1985 and 2005. Arual of the ngo pasumain thayagam, which works on protecting urban waterbodies, says, "before 1985, it was
small huts on the banks of the river. Now, many private institutions and apartments have sprung on the riverbanks." He says it is unjust to only blame poor slum dwellers and
relocate them 30 km from the city. The construction of mass rapid transport systems on the cooum and the buckingham canal has affected the river's flow.

Among the recommendations made by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) , were expansion of the storm water drain networks and enactment of a law on flood plain
zones, on the lines suggested by the center. “The CMDA should not allow development along water bodies, without ensuring ameliorating measures taken by developers, to
prevent the impact of such developments,”. Explaining the post-floods scenario, it said the government conducted a special drive, evicting 4,531 of the 23,840 slum families
along the margins of the Adyar and Cooum rivers. “Greater Chennai Corporation, in 2016-17, took up works to construct 292 kms of SWD, by earmarking Rs 463 crores. The
expenditure increased by 159 per cent,”.

STUDENTS VOW TO KEEP RIVER COOUM CLEAN

student of three public schools were senitized on the restoration od cooum river by the Chennai Rivers Restoration Trust(CRRT) in an awareness programme held at the
Corporation High School, Subbarayan Street in Shenoy Nagar. As part of community educating measures taken by CRRT, such drives are being organized a institutions located
within 2km radius of the Cooum river that is being restored currently. Using outreach programs, CRRT reaches out to resident welfare associations, students and slum dwellers
to educate how each person plays a vital role against pollution.
Source:https://m.timesofindia.com/city/chennai/students-vow-to-keep-river-cooum-clean/articleshow/67462566.cms?frmapp=yes

INTEGRATED COOUM RIVER ECO-RESTORATION PROJECT

The intervention for Cooum river basin under the CCRCP, was proposed form Cooum river mouth to Koyambedu
fir a distance of 18km only, whereas in the proposed Integrated Cooum River Eco restoration Plan, the
interventions are propose from Paruthipattu to the Cooum river mouth for a distance of 32km.
The project implementation proposal was prepared in consultation with all the Line Departments, NGOs and the
public and detailed discussions were carried out at every stage.

The main objective of this project is:

• To ensure abatement of pollution and protection of the river by adopting a sustainable approach, promoting
inter-sectoral co-ordination through comprehensive integrated planning and management.
• To improve and maintain flood carrying capacity of the river.
• Riverfront development plan. Stakeholders involved

Source: Chennai River Restoration Trust

EVS CHENNAI CITY RIVER CONSERVATION PROJECT POLICIES AND INATATIVES

CRRT
When DMK first came to power in Tamil Nadu in 1967, an attempt was made to
clean up the Cooum River at a cost of Rs.22 core. It proved abortive, despite good
intentions, reasonable continuity in government policy, and a sizeable spending
over the past 55years, Chennai waterways have gone from bad to worse. The
formation of the Chennai River Restoration Trust (CRRT) in 2006 has not mase
desired impact.

“The corporation is taking action to relocate all such dwellings at the earliest so
that the CRRT works can also be taken up early,” the commissioner told TOI.
Removal of the Radhakrishnan Nagar encroachments was one of the first drives
carried out by the corporation in July after the DMK government took charge in
May. While about 90 families were evicted during the first drive, it was met with
strong protests by the residents as they did not want to go to Perumbakkam, which
is about 30 kilometres away from the city Source: K Ashok Vardhan Shetty / TNN / Updated: Mar 18, 2022,  ..
tp://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/90299458.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

Alternative Housing
PWD
The public works department will soon begin
widening the bunds of the Cooum at
Radhakrishnan Nagar in Arumbakkam, from
where more than 400 families were evicted and
relocated in the past week. The relocation was
carried out as part of the Chennai river
restoration project
PWD will do the river bund strengthening work
after demolishing of buildings

At least 8,000 families along the Cooum and Residents evicted from the Cooum banks in Houses being demolished at Radhakrishnan Nagar in Arumbakkam
Adyar are yet to be given alternative housing. Arumbakkam given allotment paper for tenement in KP
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/soon-cooum-bunds-to-be-widened-in-
Park
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/143-families-relocated-from-cooum-bank/ arumbakkam/articleshow/90886494.cms
articleshow/90629639.cms

EVS CHENNAI CITY RIVER CONSERVATION PROJECT POLICIES AND INATATIVES

 Residents along the Cooum have seen eviction drives by the PWD and Slum Clearance Board as part of the river restoration project. Pic: Christian Huemer A resettlement colony in Perumbakkam.
Pic: Korah Abraham

CMDA Is The Authority Looking After  The Regulation And Enforcement Of Planning And Construction In Chennai

As per the TNCDBR the permission granted by the competent or an executive authority shall not mean that the builder has gotten clearance
on the following aspects:
•Title or ownership of the site or building
•Structural Reports, Structural Drawings and structural aspects. The Registered Architect or Registered Engineer and Structural Engineer on record as
the case may be, shall be responsible for defects in the design
•Workmanship, soundness of structure and materials used
•Quality of building services and amenities in the construction of building
•Other requirements or licenses or clearances required for the site or premises or activity under various other laws.
Authorities responsible for areas of special character

•Continuous Building Areas (CBA)

According to the TNCDBR, buildings in continuous building areas, without setback
space on the sides which are to be constructed, have to get an approval from the
Directorate of Town and Country Planning or Government, depending upon the situation
of the case.
•Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ)
Developments in these areas shall be regulated with reference to the CRZ classifications
and the regulations notified by the Government of India from time to time under section
3 of the Environment (protection) Act, 1986 (Central Act 29 of 1986).

Some of these violations can also have severe impacts on the environment such as the “heat
island effect,” which means, higher temperature in areas where there is high density of
buildings. Pic: Padmaja Jayaraman

Sourcehttps://chennai.citizenmatters.in/illegal-construction-in-chennai-cmda-rules-and-complaint-mechanism-35973

EVS CHENNAI CITY RIVER CONSERVATION PROJECT POLICIES AND INATATIVES

COOUM TO GET 4.5 LAKH SAPLINGS FOR ECO-RESTORATION, FLOOD
MITIGATION
CRRT
Flood preparedness is set to improve in residential areas
along the Cooum banks, with the start of riverine
plantation. Chennai Rivers Restoration Trust will plant
4.53 lakh saplings of 108 species along the 30-km stretch
from Napier Bridge to Paruthipattu.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/cooum-to-get-45-lakh-saplings-for-eco-restoration-flood-mitigation/article33489335.ece

AFTER THE LATEST SPELL OF FLOODS, FOCUS SHIFTS TO WATERWAY

CRRT WIDENING
Due to flooding in more than 700 locations in city and protests by
residents in waterlogged areas have shifted the civic body’s focus to
waterways restoration projects. The Cooum and Buckingham Canal
are expected to be widened for carrying more floodwater from
various parts of the city. A series of meetings with the Water
Resources Department and the Chennai Rivers Restoration Trust
(CRRT) was conducted by the Greater Chennai Corporation recently,
focusing on flood mitigation initiatives along Cooum, Adyar,
Kosasthalaiyar and Buckingham Canal.
The Corporation has proposed to create multiple outlets along the
Buckingham Canal to drain excess floodwater from the city. Several
drains have already been linked to the canal under the Jawaharlal
Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and World Bank
funds in the past few years.
Over the course of the project, in the Cooum, close to 90,000 tonnes
of debris and over 15,000 tonnes of garbage have been removed by
the Corporation. Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/after-the-latest-spell-of-floods-focus-shifts-to-waterway-widening/article37744219.ece

EVS CHENNAI CITY RIVER CONSERVATION PROJECT POLICIES AND INATATIVES

 REFERENCES
Aswathy.M, Kuma, G., & Thakur, D. K. (2017). Analysis of Sewage Water from Cooum River In Chennai. Chennai:
International Journal of Pure and Applied Mathematics.
Bai, M. M. (1993). Ecological Studies on the river cooum with special reference to pollution. Madras: Southern Regional
Station, Zoologizal Survey of India.
Marriappan, N., Jacintha, G. A., & Batvari, P. D. (2017). Water Quality Studies of Cooum Sub Basin, Chennai. Chennai:
Nature environment and pollution Technology.
 

EVS CHENNAI CITY RIVER CONSERVATION PROJECT REFERENCES