NGT lacks jurisdiction to deal with coastal aquaculture units, rules Madras High Court

The Madras High Court has ruled that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) lacks jurisdiction over environmental issues concerning coastal aquaculture units, specifically shrimp hatcheries, because the Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA) Act of 2005 is not listed as a scheduled enactment under the NGT Act of 2010. The High Court set aside an NGT order that had directed shrimp hatcheries to obtain Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) clearances and pay compensation. Instead, the High Court decided to suo motu adjudicate whether these units must adhere to CRZ notifications.