Cuttack: The PIL over threat to ecology of Bhitarkanika National Park and Chilika Lake has entered a decisive phase with Orissa High Court setting September 3 to start hearing for actions that should be taken for clearing illegal prawn dykes from the two important wetlands of the state.
Dykes are areas encroached upon for illegal prawn cultivation inside the wetland area.
The Supreme Court had issued a direction on April 3, 2017, to the chief justices of high courts in 15 states to take up the issue of conservation of ecology of important wetlands. Of the 26 major wetlands located in the 15 states, two are in Odisha.
The high court had taken up the issue by suo motu registering a PIL in September last year for restoration of the ecology of the two wetlands - Bhitarkanika National Park and Chilika Lake - in pursuance of the Supreme Court direction.
Subsequently, the high court had appointed Mohit Agarwal as amicus curiae to assist it.
As part of the adjudication process, the amicus curiae had filed a report with a set of suggestions. The report had raised various issues taking into consideration the affidavits filed by the collectors of the concerned districts in pursuance of high court direction.
The details by the collectors of four districts - Kendrapara, Khurda, Puri and Ganjam - had identified areas illegal prawn dykes within the prohibited areas of Bhitarkanika and Chilika.
The matter had come up on Monday. Taking stock of the progress of adjudication, the division bench of Chief Justice K.S. Jhaveri and Justice B.R. Sarangi posted the matter to September 3 for hearing on the report of the amicus curiae.
As part of adjudication of the PIL, the identification of the illegal prawn dykes had been completed with the submission of the affidavits by the collectors of the four districts.
The court is now expected to start hearing on the question of demolition of such illegal dykes, eviction of illegal occupants and then simultaneous lodging of criminal prosecution against the offenders. The issue of restoration of ecology of the area will be taken up after that.
