Madras High Court seeks Google map of marshland
13 Sept 2015 10:53 AM IST13 Sept 2015 10:53 AM IST
Court has also directed the authorities to produce field measurement sketch and Google map of the marshland
Madras High Court
Chennai: Not satisfied with the reply of the state forest department in connection with the protection and preservation of Pallikaranai marshland, the Madras high court has directed authorities to file counter affidavit answering queries raised by the court before September 22.
The court has also directed the authorities to produce field measurement sketch and Google map of the marshland, On September 2, Justice N. Kirubakaran, directed the authorities to submit various details relating to Pallikaranai marshland.
He also posed 10 questions to authorities relating to total extent of marsh land, encroachments and burning garbage around the ecologically threatened lake. The marshland had been sold by land-grabbers using fake documents.
In the petition, residents of Quaid-e-Milleth Nagar, Pallikaranai, challenged transfer of 170 hectares by municipal administration and water supply to forest department through a GO in December 2012. When the matter came up, the Kancheepuram district forest officer filed a counter stating that the area under the control of the forest department now was 690 hectares and that another 240 hectares were in possession of other departments. The Pallikaranai marsh is 931-hectare expanse as on today.
Over 680 encroachers were occupying 10.21 hectares of the marshland and revenue department had the details of encroachers. A complaint had been lodged with the police commissioner for action against those who had registered the marshland in their names. The department denied dumping and burning garbage in land under the control of forest department.
The department also informed the court that a compound wall had been built for about 1,500 metres. The department was taking all steps to preserve the area from encroachers and safeguard the flora and fauna. Two non-governmental organisations were entrusted with the task of safeguarding the marshlands. Not satisfied with the response of the forest department, Justice Kirubakaran said the compliance report of the DFO was not in accordance with September 2 court order. "Proper answers have not been given to the queries raised by this court in the order. Hence, all authorities should file their replies to the queries raised by this co-urt on or before September 22," the judge added.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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