The Madras High Court today dismissed a PIL seeking to prevent officials of the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park from stopping fishermen from fishing in and around two islands in Kadaladi taluk, barring prohibited marine species.
A counter-affidavit filed on behalf of officials by the park's Wildlife Warden said the two islands -- Nalla Thanneer Theevu and Uppu Thanneer Theevu -- at S Mariyoor revenue village, were declared Marine National Park in 1986.
Therefore, as per the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, no fishing activity can be allowed anywhere near the islands, it said.
"It is not possible to allow the fishermen to fish anywhere near these islands, in order to protect the ecosystem," the counter said.
A division bench of the court's Madurai bench comprising justices S Nagamuthu and M V Muralidharan agreed with the stand taken by the warden.
When the issue was governed by the Wildlife Protection Act and the area declared as Marine National Park under it, the court could not issue a direction contrary to the implementation of the said Act, the bench said and dismissed the petition filed by a fisherman.
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