Saving wetlands: Set up grievance cell within six weeks, HC tells state

snehal.fernandes@hindustantimes.com

Taking note of the unabated destruction of wetlands even after the interim ban on their reclamation more than two years ago, the Bombay high court directed the state to create a grievance redressal mechanism within six weeks.

The grievance redressal mechanism will receive complaints on wetland destruction through email, WhatsApp messages, toll-free numbers and online on a website.

“Even if anonymous complaints are received giving full particulars of the violation, the same shall be acted upon,” read the order by a division bench of justice AA Sayed and justice Abhay S Oka.

In March 2014, division bench of Justice VM Kanade and Justice Anil Menon impose an interim ban on reclamation and construction in wetland areas across the state.

The bench said, “We hope that even the state government has understood the importance of maintaining and preserving the wetlands in the state.”

The court was hearing the contempt petition filed by non-government organisation Vanashakti.

It directed that a committee, which will create the grievance redressal mechanism, be formed within three weeks and monitor the order’s implementation. The committee will be headed by divisional commissioner of Konkan division.

“The divisional commissioner shall either create a separate website or use the website of his office to receive online complaints on the destruction of wetlands in breach of orders of this court. Arrangements shall be made to provide for uploading photographs,” read the order.

The bench said the commissioner will also have to ensure restoration of wetland after the committee’s receives complaints.

The committee will comprise a representative from non-governmental organisation Vanashakti who is the petitioner, senior revenue officers, senior police officers, representative of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and an expert member decided by the state government. All planning authorities within the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966 in the districts of Konkan region will be represented on the committee.

In 2013, Vanashakti had filed a public interest litigation, stating rampant reclamation and destruction of wetlands and that Wetland Rules 2010 were not being implemented in Maharashtra.

OTHER DIRECTIONS

• The state government has been directed to publicise the creation of the grievance redressal mechanism and the court’s interim orders in local newpapers, television channels and radio channels, among others.
• Action taken will be reported on the especially created website or on the website of the divisional commissioner within two weeks of which the complaints are received.
• The state has to ensure that a police officer is made responsible at taluka level to assist tehsildars and other revenue officers for taking action in case of violations.