Fisher village battles illness, inaction over illegal shrimp farm

The Hindu

a day ago

Recurring stomach pain, skin rashes, and kidney ailments have become alarmingly common among children in Kottaimedu, a tsunami-rehabilitation fishing hamlet in Sirkazhi taluk of Mayiladuthurai district.
Villagers attribute these health issues to the saline and contaminated groundwater, which they rely on for daily use. They allege that untreated chemical discharge and waste from a shrimp farm operating just 50 metres from their homes — violating the Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA) Act, 2005 — is polluting the nearby canal and groundwater sources.
Despite a clear directive from the CAA on June 3 instructing local authorities to cancel the farm's license, no enforcement action has been taken. The village, part of Thandavankulam panchayat, comprises around 300 families who were relocated here following the 2004 tsunami. Permanent housing, a government primary school, and an anganwadi centre were provided as part of the resettlement effort.
'Initially, there was only one shrimp farm near our village,' said Kannaiyan A., a community leader. 'In past decade several have emerged, with one operating just 50 metres away—well within the prohibited buffer zone of 300 metres from human settlements.'
With piped drinking water from Kollidam available only three days a week, villagers rely heavily on groundwater — which they say has become unusable. 'The groundwater has been contaminated by the nearby shrimp farm, and our village is suffering as a result. Officials show no concern for our health or livelihood,' said Pakkirisamy C., a senior resident.
'We have raised this issue with many government departments including the district administration over the past decade, but nothing has changed.'
Rajakumari T., whose 12-year-old son has been under treatment for kidney-related issues since he was nine, said doctors have attributed his condition to high salt levels in his system.
'We spend ₹5,000 every month on his treatment,' she said. Another resident, Chandrakala L, reported similar problems with her child.
T. Sathya and B. Vetriselvi, president and vice-president of the School Management Committee, said that while the school sources drinking water externally, tap water is occasionally used for cooking—often followed by complaints of stomach pain from students. A majority of students from the primary school, whom The Hindu spoke to, reported experiencing skin-related issues.
Following a case filed in the Madras High Court, the court directed the Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA) to review the matter in consultation with stakeholders. Based on its findings, the CAA issued an official order on June 3, signed by its Secretary Neetu Kumari Prasad, directing the cancellation of the shrimp farm's license.
The Hindu has accessed the order, which identifies a 1.15-hectare shrimp farm located in an ecologically sensitive buffer zone near Kottaimedu village, in clear violation of the Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act, 2005.
The order was sent to the District Collector, Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) of Sirkazhi, the Tahsildar, and the Fisheries Department. However, no action has been initiated so far. When contacted by The Hindu, officials from various departments acknowledged awareness of the issue but cited procedural delays.
An authority from the local government primary school said, 'We have reported the drinking water issue to the panchayat. The water we provide at school is sourced directly from the village, and we are unable to ensure separate treatment.'
Nathiya, the Village Health Nurse of Thandavankulam panchayat, said she had not yet received any complaints regarding skin allergies or stomach ailments. 'I will ask the Health Inspector to collect water samples. If required, we will coordinate with the nearby Primary Health Centre to organise a medical camp,' she said.
Murugan, the Village Administrative Officer, stated that he assumed charge only in March this year. 'I have heard about an order to halt shrimp operations, but I have not received any official communication or documentation,' he said.
Mohan Kumar, Assistant Director of the Fisheries Department, confirmed receipt of the CAA's directive. 'We have been instructed to cancel the shrimp farm's licence. However, the farm operator has made significant investments and is close to harvest. No action has been taken yet,' he admitted.