Court orders authorities to prevent any construction in protected areas and expedite Ramsar Site designation process within three months.
In a significant environmental ruling, the Kerala High Court has directed local authorities to halt all new construction activities within the Kottooli wetlands, as steps to designate it a Ramsar Site are underway. The ruling came in response to concerns raised by the Sarovaram Prakrithi Samrakshana Samiti, emphasizing the critical need to preserve the ecological balance of the area.
The Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M., heard the petitions filed by environmental groups against the Ministry of Environment and Forests and Climate Change. The court acknowledged the ongoing efforts to designate Kottooli wetlands as a Ramsar Site and stressed the importance of preventing any construction that could undermine this conservation initiative.
The judgment highlighted that any new constructions within the prohibited area would not only violate the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 but also potentially render the Ramsar Site designation efforts futile. Authorities, including the District Collector and Kozhikode Corporation, have been ordered to ensure compliance with the prohibition on new constructions in the protected area.
Further, the court directed that the procedures for the Ramsar Site designation be completed within three months. It urged the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, alongside the State Government of Kerala, to expedite all necessary steps to secure this international recognition for the wetlands, vital for ecological preservation.
The court also mandated that adequate publicity of these restrictions be provided to inform the public, ensuring no unauthorized constructions occur. The decision underscores the judiciary's role in safeguarding environmental interests and upholding statutory provisions aimed at conservation.
The case will be revisited on May 21, 2026, to assess compliance with the court's directives.
Bottom Line:
Wetland Conservation - Direction to ensure no new construction activity within the prohibited area under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, while steps for designation as a Ramsar Site are underway. Authorities instructed to expedite the process for declaring Kottooli wetlands as a Ramsar Site within three months.
Statutory provision(s): Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017
