Chapter XI Environment
Chapter XI, Environment, issued by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, sets environmental policies and planning measures for the Chennai Metropolitan Area. It identifies sensitive areas for protection and provides for land and building use regulations, greener development, conservation of natural assets and coordinated pollution control.
What the chapter covers
Chapter XI, Environment, treats the environment as both natural resources, including air, water, land, forests and open spaces, and the built habitat, including water supply, sewerage and waste disposal. It records problems affecting the Chennai Metropolitan Area, including polluted waterways, vehicle and industrial emissions, solid and hazardous waste, plastic waste, excessive noise, limited declared green cover and climate change risks.
The chapter reports that the Cooum, Adyar, Buckingham Canal, Captain Cotton Canal, Otteri Nallah and Mambalam drain carry substantial sewage. Monitoring by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board found the monitored city waterways polluted and unsuitable for designated uses.
Who may be affected
Chapter XI, Environment, is relevant to property owners, developers, local bodies, public agencies, residents and businesses across the Chennai Metropolitan Area. Buyers and professionals should pay particular attention where land is near beaches, coastal areas, waterways, wetlands, forests, parks, playgrounds, heritage precincts or other environmentally sensitive locations shown on the annexed map.
The chapter does not provide individual property details. However, its environmental protections and proposed land and building use regulations can affect how land is planned, developed or conserved.
Key policies and planning measures
Chapter XI, Environment, provides for:
- Designating the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board as the nodal agency for environmental matters in the region.
- Strict enforcement of Coastal Regulation Zone regulations.
- Long term environmental conservation and enhancement plans from development agencies and local bodies.
- Reduction of pollution in Chennai waterways and progressive improvement of water quality.
- Encouragement of grey water recycling and harvesting.
- Traffic, public transport and enforcement measures to reduce vehicle emissions and noise.
- Tree planting along roads and within public premises, with local participation.
- Maintenance of existing parks and playgrounds, creation of new ones and preparation of a related database.
- Conservation of heritage buildings and precincts through incentives and Development Regulations.
- Land and building use regulations intended to achieve green building parameters and increase greenery in developments.
- Protection of natural assets, including beaches, coastal areas and the Pallikkaranai swamp.
- Stronger community based environmental improvement projects in local body areas.
Monitoring
Chapter XI, Environment, provides for a Land Use and Environment Committee with government, non-government, stakeholder and expert representation. The committee is intended to monitor implementation, initiate studies and collect the information needed for environmental planning and review.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Does this chapter say whether my individual property is environmentally sensitive?
No individual property details are provided. The plan identifies environmentally sensitive areas, and an annexed map shows eco-sensitive and other conservation areas.
Can these environmental policies affect a building proposal?
Yes. The plan incorporates land and building use development regulations intended to achieve green building parameters and increase greenery in developments.
What does the plan say about coastal property?
It calls for strict enforcement of Coastal Regulation Zone regulations and provides for conservation of coastal areas, including beaches.
Who is responsible for regional environmental coordination and monitoring?
The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board is identified as the nodal agency for the environment sector. A Land Use and Environment Committee is also proposed to monitor implementation of the policies and strategies.
