NGT directs Coastal Aquaculture Authority to curb illegal shrimp hatcheries in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, 29/09/2022
Judgment of the National Green Tribunal (Southern Zone, Chennai) in the matter of Tribunal on its own motion Suo motu based on the News item in The Indian Express Newspaper Edition Dt. 20.12.2020, “Shrimp hatcheries along ECR have no CRZ clearance” dated 29/09/2022.
The Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA) was directed by the NGT to undertake a detailed survey of all aquaculture hatcheries along the coast line of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. CAA should ensure compliance of CRZ Notification, 2011 and other applicable Acts including CAA Act, 2005, the Air Act 1981 and the Water Act 1974.
All the aquaculture (shrimp hatcheries) farms which are operating in the CRZ area as defined under the CRZ Notification, 2011 and 2019 should obtain CRZ Clearance from the Coastal Zone Management Authority (CZMA) apart from obtaining the registration under the CAA Act, 2005, the NGT order, September 29 said. Further, those hatcheries which are operating within the prohibited zone should be removed by the CAA and prosecution should be initiated and compensation assessed for past violations.