Kerala High Court Raps State For Failure To Constitute Wetland Management Unit For Conservation Of Ashtamudi Wetland, Warns Of Contempt

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (06 January) expressed its displeasure over the State's failure to constitute a Management Unit for the conservation of Ashtamudi Wetland.The division bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Syam Kumar V M was considering a contempt petition by Advocate Boris Paul, former President of the Kollam Bar Association stating that the State has not complied with the directions laid down in the judgement dated July, 2025. The Court had directed constitution of a Management Unit within a period of 2 months, after issuing an official notification in this regard. It had also said that the Unit must have its first meeting within 2 months of the notification so as to decide on procedural formality for regulating its business.The Court noted that the composition of the specific management unit was provided by the State Wetland Authority itself by affidavits in the writ petition and the composition included primarily government officers and members of public authorities. “Even for issuance of notification for the constitution of this, no action has been taken by the State. If the order is not issued by tomorrow, the concerned Secretary shall remain present in the Court to explain why the contempt proceedings must not be initiated.” the court orally ordered. Yesterday, when the case was considered the government pleader submitted that the matter regarding constitution was before the Finance Department for approval. Today, when the matter was taken up, the Court stated that it is a mandatory order issued by the Court and thus does not require any approval. The Court further asked the State whether the notification was issued as directed by the judgment. The matter is posted tomorrow for further consideration. Case Title: Adv. Boris Paul v Seeram Sambasiva Rao IAS & OthersCase No: Con. Case (C) 3008/ 2025Counsel for Petitioner: Ajmal A, Ananya M G, Manoj Sreedhar, Dhanush C A, Priyanka Sharma M R, Priyanka Sharma M R, Bency M RajCounsel for Respondent: Prakash M P (SC- State Wetland Authority)Click Here To Read/ Download Interim Order

Kerala High Court Raps State For Failure To Constitute Wetland Management Unit For Conservation Of Ashtamudi Wetland, Warns Of Contempt

Anamika MJ

Tags