No New Dev. Projects In Loktak Lake Without The Authorisation Of The High Court Of Manipur - Eastern Mirror
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No new dev. projects in Loktak Lake without the authorisation of the High Court of Manipur

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By Our Correspondent Updated: Aug 21, 2019 10:00 pm

Our Correspondent
Imphal, Aug. 21 (EMN): No new developmental projects can be taken up in and around Loktak Lake, the largest fresh water Lake in India’s Northeast without the authorisation of the High Court of Manipur until the progress with regards to preservation of the Lake is ascertained, according to legal sources.
A division bench of the High Court of Manipur comprising Chief Justice Ramalingam Sudhakar and Justice Kh Nobin issued an order in this regard on August 7 after the court takes up the suo motto petition on the basis of a letter of Registry of Supreme Court.

The concerned authorities including the Manipur State Wetlands Authority (MSWA), the Loktak Development Authority (LDA), Forest and Environment department and Water Resources department were also asked to file affidavits incorporating the present status on the actions taken by them so far.

Besides, the MSWA and LDA were also directed to file affidavits showing the details as to “how the money has been and is being utilised by them.”

During the court proceeding, the Advocate General stated that he had not received any copy of an order passed by the Court on July 17, 2019 in connection with the case for preservation of Loktak Lake and as such, the Court instructed registry to provide three copies of the order to the Advocate General.

Mention may be made that the High Court of Manipur took up the suo motto petition on the basis of directive issued by the Supreme Court to all the High Courts in April, 2017, to monitor the management of 26 sites identified in the Ramsar Convention of 1971 on wetlands till the sites has at least “some visible improvement.”

Considering that the Ramsar sites are “matters of international importance and heritage,” the Supreme Court issued the directive following an affidavit by scientist Dr A Duraisamy who is a member secretary of Central Wetland Regulatory Authority, stating that the funds for the preservation of 26 Ramsar Sites had been released and a sum of INR 8,6696 crore was released in respect of Loktak Lake.

The petition of the scientist was filed in the Supreme Court in 2001 with regards to the preservation of the wetlands in the country.

Subsequently, the High Court of Manipur has taken up the case on August 25, 2017 by appointing Amicus curiae to assist the court and has been adjourned from time to time.

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By Our Correspondent Updated: Aug 21, 2019 10:00:28 pm
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