more-inNoting that since 1990 parts of marshlands in Pallikaranai in Chennai have been transferred to individuals and commercial establishments violating law, Justice N. Kirubakaran has asked the State government to provide details of the officers involved in the illegality, its beneficiaries and action taken if any against those officials. In an attempt to prevent further encroachment of the marshlands, the judge directed the State Forest Department, the CMDA, and the Chennai Corporation to give a proposal on the feasibility of fencing the entire area by April 17. The issue was brought to light by the court on October 28, 2015 while granting conditional anticipatory bail to two persons, who apprehended arrest in connection with a case relating to fabricating documents to claim property measuring 66.70 acres in Pallikaranai marshlands. On November 18, 2015, the judge issued a blanket ban on registering the marshlands anywhere in the State.

Source: The Hindu March 27, 2017 19:18 UTC