March land encroachment case posted to Sept 9

The Madras High Court today directed various government departments to reply regarding the total extent of marsh area in Pallikarani near here, the extent of garbage dumped there, encroachers of the land and the action taken against them.
Justice N Kirubakaran also asked Chennai Corporation, Forest Department, Municipal Administration and Water Supply department why the marsh area was not demarcated on a petition by 62 encroachers challenging a government order transferring about 170 hectares of land to the Forest Department by Municipal and Water Supply Department.
They challenged the government December 24 government order transferring the land contending that they were occupying it for the past 30 years.

Stating that Pallikaranai is a fresh water swamp and it is one of the few surviving wetland eco systems which contains several rare and endangered species and is a breeding ground for several migratory birds, the judge in his order said "indiscriminate dumping of garbage containing toxic substances, discharge of sewage and mindless conversion of marsh lands as housing sites and constructing of many numerous educational institutions, I.T. Parks, hospitals shrunk the nature's gift".
Stating that over 300 acres of land is used for dumping garbage the Judge said "garbage is indiscriminately burnt causing pollution affecting the birds and rare species, fauna and human beings".

Directing the Forest Department to produce the original field measurement sketch of the marsh land of Pallikaranai, the judge posted the further hearing in the case to September nine.