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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Centre issues wetland conservation guidelines

Centre issues wetland conservation guidelines

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published Published on Dec 2, 2010   modified Modified on Dec 2, 2010

Rules restrict construction, dumping of untreated waste, industrialisation

Harvesting, dredging can be carried out in wetlands with permission from authorities

The Union government on Thursday notified rules for conservation and management of wetlands that restrict harmful activities such as construction, dumping of untreated waste, and industrialisation, to prevent damage to these sensitive ecosystems with high biodiversity values.

The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010, are aimed at ensuring better conservation and preventing degradation of wetlands.

Over one-third of the country's wetlands had been wiped out or badly damaged.

Under the rules, wetlands have been classified for better management and easier identification. Wetland regulatory authorities and appraisal committees were set up at the central, State and district levels to ensure proper implementation of the rules.

Apart from necessary government representatives, each of these bodies has experts.

The rules specify activities that are harmful to wetlands and prohibit them. Other activities such as harvesting and dredging could be carried out with prior permission from the authorities concerned.

Describing the move as a positive step, Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh said: “This is the first time that legally enforceable rules are being notified for such eco-sensitive areas in our country. This will go a long way in protecting our wetlands, which are under severe threat.”

Wetlands are critical for human development and well-being, especially in India, where a large number of people are dependant on them for drinking water, food and livelihood.

Despite their immense importance, wetlands are one of the most degraded ecosystems globally. Over-exploitation of fish resources, discharge of industrial effluents, fertilizers and pesticides and uncontrolled siltation and weed infestation, among other reasons, have taken the toll on these important water bodies.

“We have also approached the ISRO [Indian Space Research Organisation] and other institutions to undertake a comprehensive mapping exercise delineating all the wetlands in the country,” Mr. Ramesh said, adding that the legal framework for the preservation and management of wetlands was in keeping with the suggestions from the public.

India is a signatory to the Ramsar Convention for the conservation and wise use of wetlands, which includes in its ambit a wide variety of habitats such as rivers and lakes, coastal lagoons, mangroves, coral reefs, and numerous man-made wetlands like ponds, farm ponds, irrigated agricultural lands, sacred groves, salt pans, reservoirs, gravels, pits, sewage, farms and canals.

The Union government had identified 25 wetlands for conservation and management under its conservation programme and provides financial and technical assistance to the State governments and Union Territory administrations for this purpose.


The Hindu, 3 December, 2010, http://www.hindu.com/2010/12/03/stories/2010120351592000.htm


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