BRIEF RESPITE
Aquafarmers in the country got a breather when the Supreme Court recently stayed till April 30 its earlier order for closure or demolition of shrimp farms by March 31. The court granted the stay after hearing petitions from the government of India which pleaded that the demolition would affect the livelihood of lakhs of people. Following the ruling, the Centre adjourned consideration of a bill seeking to set up an aquaculture authority. The apex court had in december 1996 ordered all aquaculture farms set up in the coastal regulation zone within 500 metres of the sea to be demolished by March 31.