Pollution
7 events, 1982 to 2023; 1 marked as turning points.
1982
Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board established
The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board was set up as the state body to monitor and control pollution.
2001
Kodaikanal mercury thermometer factory shut
Protests forced the closure of Hindustan Unilever's mercury thermometer factory at Kodaikanal over contamination.
2017
Ennore oil spill after tanker collision
Two tankers collided off Kamarajar Port in Ennore, and the resulting oil spill spread along the north Chennai coast.
2018
Thoothukudi anti-Sterlite police firing
Police fired on protesters marching against the Sterlite copper smelter in Thoothukudi, killing 13 people; the state ordered the plant closed.
2019
Tamil Nadu bans single-use plastics
The Tamil Nadu government's ban on plastic carry bags and other single-use plastic items came into force on 1 January 2019.
2023
Cyclone Michaung floods Chennai
Very heavy rain from Cyclone Michaung flooded large parts of Chennai and neighbouring districts.
Ammonia leaked from a subsea pipeline of a fertiliser plant at Ennore, sending dozens of residents of fishing villages to hospital.
