Destruction of mangroves: NGT notice to Centre, Gujarat

The National Green Tribunal Monday sought response from Centre and others on the allegation that Deen Dayal Port Trust in Gujarat's Kutch district was not executing the directions issued by it to protect the mangroves in its vicinity from destruction.

A bench comprising Justice Raghuvendra S Rathore and expert member Satyawan Singh Garbyal issued notices to Ministry of Environment and Forests, Gujarat government, Gujarat State Coastal Zone Management Authority and others while seeking their replies in two weeks.

The tribunal was hearing a plea filed by Gujarat based Kachch Camel Breeders Association seeking execution of September 11, 2019 order of the NGT.

"It has been submitted before us that none of the direction given in our judgment dated September 11, 2019 has been followed. Issue notices to the respondents by registered post/acknowledgement," the bench said.

The petitioner association had alleged rampant clearing of the mangroves in Nani Chirai and Moti Chirai areas of Bhachau Taluka in Kutch district by the Deen Dayal Port Trust.

"The destruction of mangroves not only violates the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and Coastal Regulatory Zone Notification, 2011, but also deprives the indigenous Kharai camel species of its major food source, thereby affecting the livelihoods of several hundred camel breeders of the region," the petition had said.

The petition, filed through advocate Sanjay Upadhyay, claimed that the "incessant destruction activities" of the respondents have diminished the cover of sparse mangroves found at the site and destroyed the habitat of the indigenous Kharai camels which has affected the livelihood of villagers dependent on the mangroves.

It said these activities carried out by the Deen Dayal Trust Port were without any CRZ or Forest clearance which was causing irreversible loss of mangroves.

The association had sought directions for the rehabilitation and restitution of the mangroves already destroyed and payment of a environmental compensation charge for the destruction.

The NGT had last year directed that there shall be no obstruction of any kind in the creeks (a stream or minor tributary of a river) and free and continuous flow of estuarine water in the creeks will be ensured.

The tribunal had ordered that Forest Department, Gujarat Coastal Zone Management Authority and revenue officials to jointly inspect the area to find out the persons who were responsible for obstruction of the creeks.

"If there has been any activity in the mangroves area which are in contravention of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 or any other law, the Forest Department will immediately take action in accordance with law," the NGT had said.