NEWS ITEM PUBLISHED IN DAIJIWORLD MEDIA NETWORK-MANGALURU TITLED AS "SEA EROSION INCREASES AT UCHILA ENDPOINT HOUSES ON VERGE OF GETTING WASHED AWAY." vs

1 Item No.

04 Court No.

1 BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL PRINCIPAL BENCH, NEW DELHI Original Application No.

625/2023 In re : News item published in Daijiworld Media Network-Mangaluru dated 30.09.2023 titled “Sea erosion increases at Uchila Endpoint, houses on verge of getting washed away” Date of hearing: 17.10.2023 CORAM: HON’BLE MR.

JUSTICE PRAKASH SHRIVASTAVA, CHAIRPERSON HON’BLE MR.

JUSTICE SUDHIR AGARWAL, JUDICIAL MEMBER HON’BLE DR.

A.

SENTHIL VEL, EXPERT MEMBER Respondent(s): Mr.

S.

Janarthanam, Adv. for National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (Through VC) Mr.

H.K.

Vasanth, Adv. for Karnataka State Coastal Zone Management Authority (Through VC) ORDER 1.

This original application is registered suo moto on the basis of the news item dated 30.09.2023, published in the Daijiworld media, titled Mangaluru: “Sea erosion increases at Uchila Endpoint, houses on verge of getting washed away”.

2.

As per the said news item, sea erosion is on the rise at Uchila Endpoint, Someshwara Beach discloses that one house is on the verge of collapsing while more than 10 houses are also in the danger zone.

The houses under the limits of Talapady area also facing danger as sea erosion has taken away parts of the bank of Talapady river.

It is alleged that no temporary rock filling work has been done in this area till now.

The road got washed away two years ago when there was sea erosion in Uchila Battappady and that Uchila Endpoint is now damaged.

The report states that there are 200 houses facing danger on Talapady area on the other side of the river and concerned authorities are not taking any action.

2 3.

On the basis of advance notice, the report on behalf of the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) has been filed stating that high erosion rate of approximately 7 m/yr observed at Uchila Endpoint and its surrounding areas.

It is also stated that estimated percentage of high erosion and cumulative percentage of erosion are approximately 27. mately 27.09% and 57.40%.

It is stated in the report that the problem require to be studied in detail and suggestive measures are to be examined and three months’ time has been requested to undertake field survey and prepare a report.

4.

The news item and the report submitted before this Tribunal reveal that substantial issue relating to the environment is involved.

5.

Hence, we deem it proper to implead the following Respondents:- (i) Director, National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management; (ii) Director, National Institute of Ocean Technology; (iii) Director, National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Goa; (iv) Member Secretary, Karnataka State Coastal Zone Management Authority; (v) Secretary, MoEF&CC; and (vi) Principal Secretary, Public Works Department, State of Karnataka.

6.

The Respondent Nos.

1 and 4 are representing today.

Counsel for Respondent No.4 has sought time to file the report.

7.

Let notice be issued to Respondent Nos.

2, 3, 5 and 6.

8.

Since the matter relates to Southern Bench of the Tribunal, therefore, it is transferred to the said Bench for further action.

List the matter before the Southern Bench at Chennai on 09.01.2024.

3 9.

The original application is accordingly disposed of.

Prakash Shrivastava, CP Sudhir Agarwal, JM Dr.

Senthil Vel, EM October 17, 2023 Original Application No.

625/2023 JG