THULASIDAS, J. :- We heard these Original Petitions together since common questions are involved.

2. W.P. (Civil) No. 664 of 1993 was filed by the Indian Council for Enviro Legal Action, a registered voluntary organisation, before the Supreme Court seeking orders or direction regarding the protection of ecology and for preventing irreversible ecological damage of the coastal areas of the country. The main grievance was that the Notification dt. 19-2-1991 which regulated the activities in coastal regulation zones had not been implemented or enforced, that has resulted in continued degradation of ecology in coastal areas. There was also a challenge to the validity of the Notification dt. 18-8-1991, whereby the earlier notification dt. 19-2-1991 was amended resulting in relaxation of certain provisions, which it was said, would defeat its scope and purpose. It was alleged that coastal areas have abundance of natural endowments, are highly complex and have dynamic eco-systems sensitive to development pressures if unchecked would cause serious irreversible damage of the flora and fauna, public health and environment. Several other grounds were also urged, which have been dealt w