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HỘI THẢO QUỐC TẾ ATiGB LẦN THỨ CHÍN - The 9 ATiGB 2024 225

BALANCING PROGRESS &PRESERVATION:

THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ON INDIGENOUS

FISHING COMMUNITIES ALONG

THE KOSASTHALAIYAR RIVER CREEK, ENNORE

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2
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Mervin Joseph Catchirayar , Nived Narendran , Dr.N. Jothilakshmy
1 Student 1; mervunjoseph1005.scad@saveetha.com
2 Head of the Department 2; nivednarendran1@gmail.com
3 Principal 3; jothilakshmyn@gmail.com
Abstract: The Kosasthalaiyar River Creek in Ennore, pollution control measures, environmental restoration
India, is vital for indigenous fishing communities, but rapid programs, and employment initiatives. Importantly, the
industrialization and urbanization have led to severe approach must involve indigenous communities in decision-
environmental degradation, threatening their livelihoods. making processes to ensure their rights and needs are
Industrial activities have caused significant pollution, prioritized. By fostering collaboration among stakeholders
compromising air and water quality, disrupting the marine and adopting sustainable practices, it is possible to achieve
ecosystem, and leading to a decline in fish stocks and a harmonious coexistence between industrial growth
increased waterborne diseases. The encroachment of and environmental conservation along the Kosasthalaiyar
industries has also resulted in the loss of traditional fishing River Creek.
jobs, exacerbating the socio-economic challenges faced by Keywords: Kosasthalaiyar River Creek; industrialization;
these communities. To address these issues, a balanced environmental degradation; indigenous communities;
approach is needed that integrates economic development pollution control.
with environmental preservation. This includes stringent
1. INTRODUCTION Existing regulations and pollution control
The Kosasthalaiyar River Creek in Ennore, India, measures are outdated and inefficient to overcome
stands as a poignant example of the intricate interplay pollution, and therefore a sustainable approach to
between industrial progress and environmental address the environmental woes plaguing the
conservation. This region, once a haven for Kosasthalaiyar River Creek is a necessity. By
indigenous fishing communities and Mangrove advocating more efficient pollution control measures,
forests, reptiles and turtles, has witnessed profound sewage treatment facilities,efficient waste management
transformations over the years (Jayaprakash et al., practices and pollution control measures this approach
2005), characterized by rapid industrialization, urban seeks to strike a balance between economic progress
expansion, and mounting environmental degradation. and environmental preservation, fostering a harmonious
The burgeoning industries and urban settlements coexistence between industrial expansion and
along the riverbanks have significantly heightened ecological conservation.
pollution levels, posing dire threats to the delicate Through a nuanced examination of the challenges
aquatic ecosystem and the livelihoods of the facing the Kosasthalaiyar River Creek and its
indigenous fishing villages, who have been the indigenous fishing communities, this study aims to
original stakeholders of the region (Kumar, Jaikumar catalyze meaningful dialogue and concerted action
and Robin, 2013). towards achieving a sustainable and inclusive
development paradigm in Ennore.
Against this backdrop, this study explores the
profound impact of industrialization, urbanization, 2. UNDERSTANDING THE HISTORY AND
and improper solid waste disposal on the IMPACT OF INDUSTRIALIZATION IN ENNORE,
Kosasthalaiyar River Creek and its adjacent KOSASTHALAIYAR RIVER
indigenous fishing communities in Ennore(R. and Ennore, located in the northern part of Chennai,
Govindarajulu, 2023). It sheds light on the intricate India, is home to several indigenous communities
web of environmental challenges confronting these whose livelihoods are closely tied to the
communities, emphasizing the urgent need for Kosasthalaiyar River. At one point in time, the region
sustainable solutions to mitigate pollution and is said to have had 18 fishing communities, but now
safeguard the ecosystem. the communities have become segregated into 33
divisions due to internal disputes and conflicts. Some
of the communities include fishing villages such as
ISBN: 978-604-80-9779-0