Plea challenges notification issued by Centre

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday ordered notice to the Centre on a public interest litigation petition that challenged a 2020 notification issued for exempting constructions / activities for ‘blue flag’ certification from CRZ notification and permitting them from a distance of 10 metres from the high tide line.

A Division Bench of Justices N. Sathish Kumar and M. Jothiraman was hearing the petition filed by G. Joseph of Ramanathapuram district. The petitioner, secretary of Ramanathapuram Fishworkers Trade Union, said the notification resulted in serious damage to fragile coastal ecosystems by concretising and commercialising coastal commons, which are not only important livelihood spaces for fishers but a sensitive, productive ecosystem serving as nesting grounds for turtles etc.

The Centre has issued the notification to permit constructions and activities in CRZ area which are otherwise prohibited / strictly regulated under the CRZ Notification, 2011 and has ‘exempted’ activities from the purview of the CRZ Notification, he said.