Initiate measures to restore mangroves in Kannur, HC tells govt. agencies

The Kerala High Court has disposed of a public interest litigation (PIL) that was filed seeking action against the destruction of mangrove forests in Kunhimanagalam, Kannur, and directed the stakeholders concerned to initiate measures to restore the mangroves.

The PIL was filed by Kunhimanagalam native P.P. Rajan. Referring to the role of mangroves in protecting biodiversity, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji said they also helped prevent floods. It is therefore the statutory duty of the government authorities to prevent the destruction of mangroves by real estate stakeholders and others who have allegedly dumped construction debris and other materials atop the mangroves, and even constructed roads through the area in violation of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.

Apart from CRZ notifications, the acts were also in violation of the Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016, and other statutes. In this situation, the officials concerned must conduct periodic site inspections, submit reports to the District Collector, and initiate action against those violating the rules. In addition, local bodies, the Forest department, and the State and Central government agencies concerned must clear the dumped waste and take steps to restore the mangrove cover by initiating a replanting drive within three months. Measures should also be put in place to enable citizens to report any threat to the mangroves, the court said.