COMMON ORDER

(Common Order of the Court was made by M.M.SUNDRESH, J.) W.P.(MD)No.11982 of 2020 has been filed challenging the draft Notification of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, New Delhi, while W.P.(MD) Nos.17277 and 17415 of 2020 and 925 of 2021 are filed laying a challenge to the final Notification. Accordingly, all of them are taken up and disposed of by this common order.

2.Kanniyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary forms part of the Western Ghats housing a minimum of 40 types of mammals, 120 species of birds, including 14 species of migratory birds and rich diversity of fishes, reptiles and amphibians and there are more than 2272 species of flowering plants recorded here apart from 62 species of orchids and 91 species of ferns with the existence of animals like Asian Elephant, Indian Gaur, Sambar Deer, Wild Boar, Wild Dog, Tiger, Leopard etc., Thus, the bio-diversity of the area is rather rich. Kanniyakumari District is unique, as it is sandwiched between the sea and the forest with the human population in between.

3.Indian Board of Wildlife in its Wildlife Conservation Strategy-2002, contemplated Eco-fragile Zone. Accordingly, Eco-sensitive Zones are perceived