The Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed the state government to use modern technology such as satellite imagery to protect mangroves and wetlands.
The Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed the state government to use modern technology such as satellite imagery to protect mangroves and wetlands.
A division bench of Justice Naresh Patil and Justice A S Gadkari said, "The use of modern technology will help the authorities ascertain the nature of destruction, if any." Justice Patil cited a case that he had heard while presiding in an Aurangabad bench of the HC, where trees were cut and the court had ordered the state to replant them. The court had then told the government to provide satellite images of the planted trees to ensure proper compliance with its order.
Wednesday's directions came during the hearing of a public interest litigation filed by NGO Vanashakti, which has alleged damage to large tracts of mangrove and wetlands across the state.
Government pleader G W Mattos said, "The state committee has been working on this front and six reports have been submitted detailing the steps taken." Questioning the state if that was enough, the court said why couldn't the government use modern technology. It also directed the Centre to list steps taken to protect wetlands.
The HC then directed the government to submit a report on action taken against people who encroach upon wetlands.
A year ago, an inspection by forest officials had found massive dumping of debris and unauthorised construction, including a temple, on two mangroves patches in the last decade. The inspection report also stated that fresh dumping of mud and debris around a water body in another place along with expansion of slums into the wetland was going on.
The report was submitted after directions from the HC while hearing the Vanashakti's PIL. The PIL sought directions to the authorities to ensure proper implementation of wetland rules and stop ongoing mangrove destruction as verified by the report.
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