Tamil Nadu: Karunanidhi Pen Memorial Receives Clearance From Union Environment Ministry’s Expert Appraisal Committee

The Union Environment Ministry’s Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) has cleared the proposal to construct the Pen Memorial for former chief minister M Karunanidhi. The issue was taken up during the meeting conducted on 17 April.

The 2.11-acre monument, which includes a pen, pedestal, pedestrian walkway, lattice bridge, and underground museum, needs Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance as it lies in CRZ IV(A), CRZ I(A), and CRZ II areas.

On 5 April, the Tamil Nadu State Coastal Zone Management Authority (TNSCZMA) had approved the project but with some stipulations.

The conditions set include not allowing any pillars to be erected in the CRZ I(A) region. This was to ensure clear passage for all marine fauna, especially turtles, to reach sandy areas.

Construction activities are to be prohibited during the turtle nesting period, and there should be no illumination in the CRZ I(A) and CRZ IV(A) areas during this time. These prohibitions are to apply throughout the project's construction and operation phases.

While the total project area would cover 8,551.13 square metres, about 2,263 square metres of sea area would have to be reclaimed for building the monument.

Among the other conditions mentioned by the EAC are that the National Centre for Coastal Research should monitor erosion and accretion in the area, a no objection certificate from INS Adyar that is stationed in the area.

The CRZ clearance would be subject to the final order of the National Green Tribunal, Southern Zone.

Environmental activists say that the project site is a prime fishing ground and land reclamation required for the project could damage the coastline.

Poovulagin Nanbargal, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) that works for environmental protection, says that the Statue could instead be built on land within the already existing Karunanidhi memorial.