CHENNAI: It has always been an open secret, discussed and debated after the December floods last year. As concrete replaced the shrublands and dry lake beds, the built-up area increased. The areas where the water bodies were encroached, some institutionally, included Tambaram, Perungalathur, Vandalur, Ramapuram, Manappakkam, Valasaravakkam, Ambattur, Alandur and Adyar. One of the key features of this legislation was powers vested in the state machinery to determine the "wise" use of water bodies. This May, Tamil Nadu set up wetland authority to protect the water bodies.

Source: Times of India September 05, 2016 02:04 UTC