Maharashtra HC asks to replace mangroves’ panel member In Jan. 2017, Bombay HC directed the state govt to reconstitute a committee that was set up to protect and preserve mangroves in Navi Mumbai, by replacing the senior forest officer, its ex-officio member secretary. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/hc-seeks-google-maps-to-find-out-wetland-damage/articleshow/57029332.cms (The Times of India, 18 Jan. 2017)
In the same month, the Bombay HC said the state govt must equally take care of citizens’ interests as it did of builders and ruthlessly stop destruction of wetlands near Mumbai. The court also sought old and latest Google maps “to compare the extent of damage to the environment by virtue of damage to wetlands and in the future to ensure it can be restored to its original state”. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/hc-seeks-google-maps-to-find-out-wetland-damage/articleshow/57029332.cms (The Times of India, 8 Feb. 2017)
HC pardoning wetlands illegalities? In a strange development, showing HC openly pardoning the wetlands violations, the court observed that: “I have no doubt that there are encroachments on wetlands. Nobody can deny that. The only thing that remains is, what the authorities are doing to prevent, restore and restrain such destruction in future,” the court said, while hearing a PIL. “Now, we cannot do anything in places where buildings have already been constructed on wetlands. However, in future, in places like Mira-Bhayandar and Panvel, we have to see to it that mangroves are saved. We should ruthlessly stop further destruction,” Justice Kanade said. There is no way the court can save the remaining mangroves if they refuse to take actions against illegalities already committed. http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/personal-finance/take-steps-to-stop-encroachmentwetlands-hc-to-maharashtra-government-1003136.html?utm_source=ref_article (Money Control, Feb. 2017)
HC asks Govt to set up panels on wetlands fast The Bombay HC in Oct. 2017 directed the state govt to constitute the authorities under the Wetlands Rules 2017, instead of waiting for the three-month timeframe allowed under the rules. The govt was also asked to inform the court on the progress in the matter. The court was hearing a PIL filed by NGO Vanashakti regarding non-implementation of Wetland Rules 2010 in Maharashtra. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/set-up-panels-on-wetlands-fast-hc-tells-state-govt/articleshow/60976981.cms (The Times of India, 7 Oct. 2017)
According to the new guidelines issued by the Bombay HC appointed wetlands grievance redressal committee, destruction of wetlands on private land in the state will now attract a penalty. The govt would confiscate the land if the owners fail to pay this penalty. The guidelines were decided during the committee’s last two meetings. The panel also setup a website (https://www.konkanwetland.com/ to track complaints. Members of the committee told that this year they received 17 major cases of wetland destruction. First-information-reports (FIRs) were filed and penalties were levied in 11 of these cases. The remaining 6 were pending and currently under inquiry. http://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/cough-up-fines-for-wetland-destruction-or-pay-with-your-land-says-bombay-high-court-panel/story-aiyoDGbg4asE9Pvk0fhfvL.html (Hindustan Times, 2 Nov. 2017)