Thangam Thennarasu with Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav and others.

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu finance and environment minister Thangam Thennarasu met with Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav in New Delhi to discuss various environmental projects and clearances for the state. The meeting focused on securing approvals and funding for several crucial initiatives in the state.
During the meeting, Thennarasu acknowledged the Union ministry’s recent notification exempting environmental clearance for industrial sheds up to 1,50,000 square metre, a move that came following chief minister M K Stalin’s request to facilitate industrial development in the state.
A key agenda item was the reconstitution of the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and the State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC), whose current tenure expires in April 2025. The state has proposed establishing an additional SEAC to expedite clearances for growing infrastructure projects.
The Tamil Nadu govt sought approval for a Rs 27.53crore project under the National Action Plan on Climate Change and Green India Mission, aimed at creating a green shield in Tuticorin district to prevent coastal erosion through nature-based solutions.
Another significant proposal discussed was a Rs 74.4crore project submitted to CAMPA for relocating Thengumarahada village from the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve’s buffer zone, addressing human-wildlife conflict concerns in the Nilgiris District.
Bhupender Yadav assured full support for Tamil Nadu’s environmental initiatives. The meeting was attended by senior officials.