DO YOU KNOW – 12
You must have read about Wetlands. But are you aware about the new wetland rules adopted by India in 2017 ?
Here it goes :
It defines a wetland as an area of marsh, fen, peatland or water.
A wetland can be natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water.
It does not include river channels, paddy fields, human-made water bodies/tanks specifically constructed for drinking water purposes and structures specifically constructed for aquaculture, salt production, recreation and irrigation purpose.
It identifies 25 wetlands under Ramsar convention.
State governments and union territories would now have to form a wetland authority.
The state wetlands authority will be responsible for identifying wetlands to be notified which would then be forwarded to Centre.
It has done away with the earlier Central Wetlands Regulatory Authority (CWRA) entirely.
CWRA has been replaced by the National Wetland Committee, which has a merely advisory role.
It says that conservation and management would be based on the principle of ‘wise use’, which is to be determined by the Wetlands Authority
It does not spell out the list of activities prohibited in wetlands.
Note : Important for Prelims 2018
