Kochi: The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Chennai bench has asked Southern Railways not to undertake construction or any non-forest activity at Mangalavanam where the Old Railway Station is situated until further orders. The bench also asked state to file necessary affidavit to show as to whether the state has proposed the Ecologically Sensitive Area in respect of Bird Sanctuary which is an extant of 2.7 hectares as Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary and also what steps the state has taken in this regard.
Of the said extant of land .79 hectares is Railways Poramboke land. When the government has declared these lands as forming part of bird sanctuary, certainly the Railway cannot carry on any non-forest activities to preserve the same as it is. The NGT bench comprising Justice P. Jyothimani and P.S. Rao passed the order while considering a batch of petitions.
The bench observed that the State Forest Department has clearly stated that the disputed land with naturally grown trees and adjoining Bird Sanctuary is to be protected for the better and proper maintenance of Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary. The proposed of the Railways was to renovate the station and make it the hub of suburban services. Railways is also yet to take a final call in the issue.
