A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to construct a “Pen Monument” for former CM Karunanidhi as it may harm the marine life and effect the ecosystem.
The PIL filed by few state residents demanded that the Tamil Nadu government and the Ministry of Environment be ordered to reverse their decision to build a 134-foot-tall Pen Monument in honour of former chief minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader Karunanidhi inside the Marina beach and refrain from harming the environment.
According to the petition, the project was approved by the Tamil Nadu Public Works Department (PWD), and environmentalists have expressed concern that it may harm the coastal habitat.
The petition further pointed out that the government’s decision to build the statue inside the Marina beach close to the Muthamil Kalaignar Karunanidhi memorial has negatively impacted fishermen throughout coastal areas, particularly in Chennai of Tamil Nadu. This decision violated the Coastal Regulation Zones-CRZ-IA, CRZ-II, and CRZ-IVA and harmed Marina beach’s ecosystem and marine life.
“The project would affect the livelihood of fisherfolk and take a toll on the environment, and about 32 villages of fishermen will be impacted when it is constructed. And although there is ample land in Chennai to create the memorial around the city, but erect a monument inside the sea that will impact the marina ecosystem and marine life,” the petition reads.,” the petition claimed.
