HC seeks info on wetland authority

Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 28: Observing that protection of wetlands are concern of the Court, the High Court today sought information for constitution of State wetland authority.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Alok Aradhe hearing a suo-moto cognizance on the instructions of Supreme Court has issued notice to Ministry of Environment and Climatic Change through its Secretary to inform the Court on the issue of constitution of State wetland Authority.
Court has been informed by the amicus that the Central Government has identified 2 lakh wetlands in the country and Supreme Court on the concern of wetlands under “Ramsar Conservation Sites” directed to all the States for new wetland rules and expressed the urgency for the management of wetlands and till date nothing has been done by the J&K State Government in this connection.
Court has been further informed that as per the ‘Atlas Ecology and Remote Sensing’ of the State, there are 1230 wetlands identified in the State under ‘Ramsar Conservation Sites’.
Reference of Rule 5 of the rules, Court has been informed, it provides that the authority has to be in place for management of wetlands and on asking to the State Counsel no convincing answer are given to the Court.
Court in this view said it is necessary that Ministry of Environment be made party to the petition so that proper information be brought before the court.

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