By Sampath Kumar BBC correspondent in Madras

Protesters fear women's education will suffer a blow

Buildings of historical and archaeological importance are protected under the ruling which prohibits their demolition or reconstruction.

The order came as courts decide the fate of a women's college in Madras, built under the British Raj.

Students, environmentalists and political parties have been protesting against plans by Tamil Nadu Government to demolish the century-old Queen Mary's College in Madras.

A high court verdict is expected to be delivered soon on a petition against the demolition plans.

The ban has been imposed by the Central Environment Ministry.

Face-lift

Ministry officials say the ban is intended to prevent the destruction of mangroves, the depletion of ground water and other activities which might damage the ecology.

Madras has many historic buildings

The state government intends to use the area to house its secretariat.

It has already announced that the Marina Beach, where the college stands, would be given a face-lift and high-rise building complexes would be built to accommodate multinational corporations and diplomatic offices.

There was a public outcry in the city over the government plans and several groups have objected to the move to demolish the women's college.

Protests were also raised by environmentalists who said the project could also affect the beauty of the fragile coastal stretch of the beach.

The Madras high court has already put the demolition of the college on hold.

Earlier this month the son of a former chief minister of Madras was arrested while supporting students hoping to save the college.

MK Stalin was charged with trespassing when he entered the college to join other protesters.