CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court on Monday directed the office of the Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister to file an affidavit along with the letter which had sought to interfere in demolition of illegal prawn gheris in Chilika lake. When the bench of Chief Justice Vineet Saran and Justice BR Sarangi HC took up hearing on the matter relating to protection of Chilika and Bhitarkanika wetlands, Advocate General of the State appeared to defend the case and produced a letter of Ganjam Collector mentioning that the Minister’s office was not interfering in the matter.
The bench expressed its dissatisfaction as to how could the Collector of Ganjam file a response on behalf of the Minister’s office. It also expressed displeasure over why the letter was not produced before the court. Earlier, the HC had sought information on interference of the Minister’s office in the demolition of illegal prawn gheris and directed the Minister’s office to file an affidavit along with the letter.
Amicus curiae in the case Mohit Agarwal submitted before the court that the letter issued by the Minister’s office and the minutes of the meeting held as per the letter be also filed. The court accepted the suggestion of the amicus curiae and directed the State accordingly.
The Collector of Ganjam was specifically directed to remove all encroachments within 30 days. The matter was posted to July 16 for further hearing.Last month, The Express had carried a report mentioning the letter issued by the office of Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister to Collectors of Ganjam and Puri for a meeting basing on representations filed by prawn gheri owners. Even now, large earthen bunds and embankments in both Krushna Prasad (Ganjam) and Brahmagiri (Puri) blocks continue to exist near Chilika. In Krushna Prasad block, Poisana, Tichhana and Morada creeks are encroached by such embankments whereas in Brahmagiri, Dahikhia, Sidua and Tata gheries continue to exist despite orders for demolition.