Chennai, March 14 (BPNS)
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin has in a letter written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, March 14th requested his intervention to drop the proposed neutrino observatory project in Theni district of Tamil Nadu.
Stalin in the letter said that the request was made in the larger interest of conservation of the rich wildlife and biodiversity of the region as the slated project would cause irreversible damage to the fragile and sensitive ecosystem.
He said that the site of the proposed India Based Neutrino Observatory (INO) project falls in the Mathikettan- Periyar Tiger corridor as mapped by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister in the letter said that the tiger corridor has the critical function of maintaining the genetic flow which will be destroyed due to the activities of the proposed project.
He said that due to high-frequency blasts that would take place in the mountain area problems like rock bust and roof collapse will take place and that the proposals for blasting should be scrutinized using Geo-Technical studies for safeguards.
Stalin also mentioned that the Western Ghats, where the project is implemented is abundant in the rich biodiversity and abundance of flora and fauna including very rare species.
The Chief Minister said that other than Tigers several other mammals including the Ungulates are in abundance. The presence of a variety of reptiles and amphibians and rich diversity of species is there at the Western Ghats, he said.
He also said that the area also forms a significant watershed and water catchment for River Sambal and River Kottakudi. The Chief Minister in the letter mentioned that these watersheds are the lifelines of the local communities that inhabit the area including their livelihood and providing water for drinking and agricultural needs for the five surrounding districts of South Tamil Nadu.
The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu citing these issues, requested upon the Prime Minister to drop the Neutrino Observatory Project.
