HC seeks cost estimate to fence Pallikaranai marshland

Seeking a cost estimate to fence the city's freshwater body Pallikaranai marshland, the Madras High Court today asked from the government a report on officials behind registration of 202 marsh property documents since 1990.
Justice N Kirubakaran gave the directions while hearing a public interest plea against the illegal encroachment of the marsh land and dumping and burning of garbage around it.
While seeking a report on the registration officials behind the fraudulent transfer of the property, the bench also sought the details of the beneficiaries of those property documents and the action taken against them.
The bench gave the order after noticing that a total of 202 property documents were registered since 1990 and slated the matter for next hearing on April 17.

On November 22 last, the judge had ordered the registration department to stop registering documents involving the Pallikaranai marshland properties in any form.
The court had given the order on the petitioner's allegation that the fraudulent transfer of property involving the marshland was being done by unknown persons / land grabbers with the help of some influential officials and the people with muscle and money power.

When the matter came up for hearing today, the judge also asked the officials of Forest Department, CMDA, Registration Department and Metro Water to convene a meeting within three weeks and submit a proposal on fencing of the remaining marsh land to prevent its further encroachment.

The authorities were also asked to give a cost estimate for fencing the marshland and submit a report on the issue of pattas for these lands.
While adjudicating the matter in 2015, Justice Kirubakaran had expressed shock over the shrinking of the Pallikaranai marshland and had asked the Tamil Nadu government to furnish details on encroachment, besides the dumping and burning of garbage around it and also the requisite measures for its protection.