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Now, states can identify and manage their own wetlands -Vishwa Mohan

-The Times of India

NEW DELHI: Seeking to protect over 2 lakh wetlands across the country, the Centre has come out with rules to identify and manage these ecologically fragile areas which play an important role in flood control, groundwater recharge, preserving plant varieties, supporting migratory birds and protecting coastlines.

The new rules, notified by the environment ministry on Tuesday, decentralise wetlands management by giving states powers to not only identify and notify wetlands within their jurisdictions but also keep a watch on prohibited activities.

It also indirectly widens the ambit of permitted activities by inserting the 'wise use' principle, giving powers to state-level wetland authorities to decide what can be allowed in larger interest.

The notification says, "The wetlands shall be conserved and managed in accordance with the principle of 'wise use' as determined by the Wetlands Authority." Though it lists prohibited activities, the 'wise use' principle may invite criticism from environmentalists who had earlier objected to it when the ministry put out the draft rules in public domain in March last year.

Many conservationists had pointed out then that the 'wise use' principle would lead to arbitrary decisions on the basis of selective understanding of critical issues around the ecologically fragile areas. The ministry, in its gazette notification, noted that the "suggestions and objections" received in response to the draft rules were considered in consultation with state governments and UT administrations.

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