The Gujarat High Court on Wednesday imposed a stay on the illegal destruction of mangroves cover along the coastline near the villages of Victor, Pipavav, Behrai, Karthivadar, Datardi, Khera, Chanch, and Patva, of Amreli district by private companies.
The stay was granted by the division bench of Acting Chief Justice AS Dave and Justice Biren Vaishnav during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by a certain Ajay Shiyal. The court also sought a reply from the state government, as well as two companies — Om Sai Navigation Private Limited and Gujarat Heavy Chemicals Limited, which have allegedly cut down a large number of mangroves, by February 18.
According to the petitioner, the destruction of mangroves will have a severe impact on the local ecology. He submitted that around 1.4 lakh mangroves were grown during the period between 2005 and 2017. The main purpose behind growing the mangrove cover was to stop the sea water from entering into the villages and to decrease soil salinity. It also helped in protecting the shoreline from storms, tides, etc by preventing soil erosion.
The petitioner has submitted that several industries have set up their operations in Rajula taluka of Amreli district for commercial activities and are illegally destroying the mangroves to meet their additional land requirements. He contended that he also made representations before the district authorities about the same but, in vain. He has claimed that the destruction of mangrove cover by companies for ro-ro service, shrimp culture, and salt production is in gross violation of the Coastal Regulation Zone norms laid down by the Centre. Shiyal through his advocate Rajesh Gidiya has sought strict action against the companies involved in the illegal act and has sought? a direction from the court to the authorities to impose a complete ban on the destruction of mangroves for commercial purposes.
