Madras High Court Halts Housing Project Near Pallikaranai Marsh Ramsar Site

• The Madras High Court has ordered an interim suspension of construction work on the Rs 2,000-crore Brigade Morgan Heights housing project near the Pallikaranai Marsh , one of Tamil Nadu’s most critical wetlands and a Ramsar-designated site . The decision came after a public interest litigation (PIL) raised concerns about ecological damage, flooding risks, and possible violations of environmental protection laws.

Court’s Interim Order and Case Details

• A division bench led by Chief Justice M.M. Srivatsava and Justice Arul Murugan passed the interim order while hearing a PIL filed by J. Brezhnev , a member of the AIADMK’s legal wing. The petition urged the cancellation of approvals granted to the project and sought a ban on new constructions within one kilometre of the marsh . The court has directed the Tamil Nadu government and the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) to submit their responses before the next hearing.

Environmental and Legal Concerns

• The petitioner argued that the project violates the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 , and India’s commitments under the Ramsar Convention . The Pallikaranai Marsh acts as a natural flood buffer , absorbing stormwater and replenishing groundwater, while supporting a rich ecosystem of migratory birds and aquatic life. The PIL highlighted ongoing threats to the wetland, including encroachments, garbage dumping, and rapid urbanisation , which have reduced its ecological capacity.

Government’s and Developer’s Stand

• State officials and the CMDA have defended the project, stating that it lies outside the officially notified Pallikaranai Reserve Forest and Ramsar boundaries. The government clarified that approvals were issued only for construction on private patta lands , not on wetland areas. Authorities also informed the court that the demarcation of the 1,248-hectare Ramsar site —comprising 698 hectares of reserve forest and 550 hectares of adjoining wetlands —is currently being verified by the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) .

Exam-Oriented Facts

• Pallikaranai Marsh is a Ramsar site of international ecological importance.

• The Madras High Court halted nearby housing construction in October 2025 .

• The case concerns the Rs 2,000-crore Brigade Morgan Heights project at Perumbakkam .

• Governed by the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 .

Public Reaction and Broader Impact

Environmental groups, including Arappor Iyakkam , warned that large-scale construction near the marsh could worsen flooding in Perumbakkam and Sholinganallur , especially during monsoon seasons. The High Court’s intervention has reignited debate over urban expansion versus ecological conservation , underscoring the urgent need to balance development with the protection of Chennai’s fragile wetland ecosystems.