Photos

Kattupalli is an island 25 kms north of Chennai. Measuring about 125 sq kms, this island has 10 hamlets and 10 fishermen colonies. The unique feature of Kattupalli is its natural permanent sand dunes and the availability of fresh subsurface water almost everywhere. The sand dunes support plenty of greenery. Other crops are casuarina, cashew, coconut and rice. This green spot is now gravely threatened.

Recently, the state government has given permission for the construction of a Port, a shipbuilding yard and a Petro Park at Kattupalli. Ecologists fear that these plans will turn this pristine area into an ecological wasteland.

I went to Kattupalli recently to photograph the area before the hand of man caught up with it. Unfortunately, some damage appears to have been done even before the government gave its formal approval for the 'development'.

I found this ancient cart in a village headman's house…