Protection – direction to constitute expert committee – submit report to court within six weeks - Kumarakom.
“ The concern of the petitioner in this Original Petition is for the protection of mangroves in the Kumarakom areas in Kottayam District. Third and fifth respondents categorically stated that they are also interested in the protection of mangroves in the State. As there was unanimity in the statement, there should be a Monitoring Committee appointed by the State Government and the Ministry of Environment and Forests. The suggestion appears to be reasonable.
We, therefore, direct the State to constitute a Committee consisting of officials of Ministry of Environment and Forests and persons of eminence in the field of botanical and allied fields. The composition of the body shall be the discretion of the State. It would be appropriate if the body is constituted as early as practicable. The body when constituted would do well to invite suggestions from persons who can contribute their suggestions in the matter. The body would periodically submit their report to this Court preferably at six months intervals. First report would be submitted on completion of six months of its constitution. “ [ A.K.Sadasivan vs State of Kerala .O.P.No. 6398 of 1997 . Dated 3-3-2000 . Arijit Pasayat (CJ) & K.S.Radhakrishnan(J)]