SIMMERING DIFFERENCES
The Supreme Court (SC) verdict and the Aquaculture Authority Bill (ABB)
SC: Government of India shall constitute an Authority under the Environment protection Act, 1986. The Authority should be constituted before January 15, 1997 and have powers necessary to protect the ecologically fragile coastal areas, seashore, waterfront.
ABB: Legislates that after it is passed all decisions of courts and tribunals in relation to the aquaculture farms are nullified.
SC: No shrimp culture farm can be set up within the Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ) as per the CRZ Notification dated February 19, 1991 issued by the Union ministry of environment and forests.
ABB: Seeks to amend and relax the CRZ Notification dated February 19, 1991, whose objective is to protect the coastal areas. Section 24, of the AAB seeks to undo the Notification.
SC: Aquaculture farms, that do not meet the criteria of traditional and improved traditional, shall be closed and demolished before March 31, 1997.
ABB: All shrimp culture industries would continue, provided they apply for a license within six months of the enactment of the law to the authority created by it. The farms can continue so long as the license, which they have sought for, has not been refused. The license can be renewed every five years.
SC: No shrimp culture will be permitted within 1000 metres of the Chilka Lake and Pulikat Lake, including bird sanctuaries of Yadurappattu and Nellapattu.
ABB: The protection given by the Supreme Court judgement to the Chilka and and Pulikat lakes has been removed.