Kochi: Kerala High Court on Wednesday held that 'prior clearance' of the ministry of environment and forest in terms of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 1991 is compulsory for construction on a reclaimed land if the project cost was above Rs 5 crore.
Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice P.R. Ramachandra Menon issued the order while closing a petition filed by Padashekhara Samrakshana Samithi challenging the illegal reclamation of paddy land or wetlands in connection with setting up of a resort involving crores of rupees in Kochi.
The company proposed to construct an eco-friendly resort conforming international standards in the property having a total extent of nearly 28.61 acres at Udayamperoor in Kochi.
