STATEMENT OF FACTS

Background: Union of Sindia is the second most populated country in the world. It is a major
member of SAARC and other international organizations. Of late it has become proactive in
areas of preservation of environment and sustainable development. It hosted the World
Sustainable Development Summit in April, 2019. It has also signed the 17 Sustainable
Development Goals under the United Nations Development Program. It is also an active member
of United Nations Security Council.

Geographical Features: Sindia is primarily a coastal country with approximately 7300 Km long
coastline covering almost 9 states and union territories. It shares maritime border with many
countries, as a result of which it faces issues like unstable neighbor and illegal immigration.
Large parts of Sindia are covered with fertile soils. Fishing is an important activity of people
living in coastal areas. Other sensitive features of Sindia include coral reefs, mangroves, sandy
beaches, etc. These features make Sindia a preferred beach tourism site and therefore tourism
also accounts for 9% of the GDP.

Hamantha Island: Hamantha is a group of Island in Bay of Engal which is also a union
territory. There are many indigenous tribal groups in Hamantha, most of which are very remote
in nature and therefore lead a very deprived way of life. Coral reefs are abundant in the island
which makes it a popular tourism site and also confers to it a status of ecologically sensitive area.
National Democratic Party is the ruling party in both Hamantha Island and Union of Sindia. It
recently came into power and the most anticipated change was brought by it to the Coastal
Regulation Zone Policies.

Protest: Protests were started by student association of Hamantha Island which soon turned into
a mass unrest. It was launched against decisions of government regarding modifications of CRZ
norms on the ground that the said amendments would lead to disturbance to the ecology.

PIL Filed: The petition filed in form of PIL has been issued against Special Regulations 2.5 and
5.4.1 to make changes in the CRZ limits and for granting more powers to government for both
developmental activities as well as for the protection of environment. It has also raised certain
other issues relating to protection of environment and provisions for providing excessive
jurisdiction to the government.