High Court admits NT report as PIL
Story Summary:
Senior official from the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) carrying out tests in River Sal to study the cause of death of shellfish, on Friday at Betul. Other members of the CMFRI team are also seen.
PANAJI: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has taken cognisance and registered a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) after considering a report titled ‘Pollutant in Sal destroys shellfish spawning ground’ which was published in The Navhind Times recently.
A division bench of the High Court comprising Justice Z A Haq and Justice F M Reis has observed that they have perused the newspaper report dated April 17, 2014.
“On perusal of the report, it appears that there are complaints, which have been lodged with the local village panchayat of Velim regarding some mysterious phenomenon that has totally destroyed the shellfish fauna in the river. The report further suggests that this appears to be on account of some kind of chemical poison, which has totally destroyed the full spawning growth of the shellfish. It is further reported that this phenomenon would affect the families of traditional fishermen. The duty to preserve the natural resources in pristine purity has been recognised. The public as such has a right to expect that the natural rivers and resources retain their natural characteristics. It is for the government to protect the natural rivers and resources for the enjoyment of the public in general. Allowing the natural rivers to deteriorate would cause an environment hazard, which has to be prevented. Considering the said report, we deem it appropriate to register a suo motu public interest litigation in connection with the allegations made in the said report in the newspaper,” says the division bench of the High Court.
It has directed the registry to register a suo motu PIL and appointed advocate Sudin Usgaonkar as the Amicus Curiae in the petition. The state government, Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority, the village panchayat of Velim and the Goa State Pollution Control Board are the respondents in the petition. The High Court has issued notices to the respondents.
It may be noted that the report, which appeared in this daily, said that the Velim panchayat has received over 150 complaints since March regarding the mysterious phenomenon that has totally destroyed the shellfish (tisreo) fauna. Over 250 traditional fishing families, especially from the areas of Bapsore and Ranglia in Betul say that their livelihood has come to an abrupt end due to the phenomenon destroying the flora and fauna in the river.
The report also said that during the February gram sabha of Velim, locals had objected to a proposal of cleaning the Sal by JAICA, the Japanese agent, and the over-extended dredging of the river, as both could affect the livelihood of the traditional fishermen. The report further said that it was decided at the gram sabha to fix a date for a meeting to resolve this problem. However, about 15 days after the gram sabha, the breeding ground of the shellfish was totally destroyed. The phenomenon started from the Cortalim waters and later reached Betul, the report mentioned.
http://www.navhindtimes.in/goa-news/high-court-admits-nt-report-pil
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