Greeva Garg –
Published on: September 9, 2021, at 13:34 IST
The Madras High Court, with the view to preserve water bodies, forests and coastal regions of Tamil Nadu has ordered the State Government to take genuine steps, so that the future generations find the state habitable and can survive here.
The High court has directed the State Secretary to prepare a comprehensive report on steps should be taken for conserving state habitats.
“It cannot be a piecemeal solution pertaining to one matter or one area or one waterbody, though the aggregate has to take care of the individual,” the Court observed.
The Bench comprised Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice PD Audikesavalu made the observation while passing interim orders on batch of petitions, seeking to remove the encroachments on water ways, water bodies, lakes and in the forests.
The Court has noted that the orders passed in earlier hearing of the petitions, directing the State to remove largescale encroachments in Chitlapakkam lake, failed positive outcomes.
The Bench concerning in this regard has directed the State to re-visit the matter and file a fresh status report, indicating how the rampant encroachment has affected the habitats, how it would be removed and protected and justify the setting up of the incinerators within the area covered by the waterbody.
The Court further stated that, “It is not for the Court to interfere in the Executive functioning or direct the Executive to do this or that, but when reports abound complaining of what the Cooum river has now become or the Buckingham Canal has been reduced to, there has to be some concern shown by the State to take appropriate measures,” .
The Court observed that, it is imperative that humans coexist with nature and other plant and animal life. Therefore, the development into the matter has to be sustainable.
The Court has adjourned the matter till September 15.
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