HC seeks response on wetland preservation

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 31: The High Court today sought a reply from the concerned authorities over measures taken to preserve wetlands in the State.
Initiating suo moto proceedings as per the direction of Supreme Court, the High Court directed State Government to file a report on steps being taken for preservation of wetlands in the State within a period of one week.
Passing orders on a suo moto petition, a Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Tashi Rabstan granted week’s time to concerned authorities after Additional Advocate General, Asifa Padroo requested Court to grant more time for filing the report.
High Court has taken up this issue by filing a PIL, suo moto, after the Supreme Court on April 3, 2017 directed all High Courts to monitor the progress and management of wetland areas and to monitor public funds spent for this purpose by the Government. The Centre was also asked to take adequate measures for preservation of nearly 2 lakh wetlands in the country
Court had treated an order of the Apex Court in a writ petition Civil no. 230/2017 titled M K Balakrishanan vs Union of India as PIL, on its own motion on wetlands vs J&K State & others.
The apprehension of the petitioner, M K Balakrishanan and others, that there is a possibility that some of the wetlands may disappear with the passage of time, due to neglect and indifference by the authorities, who may connive at constant encroachment.
The Supreme Court in its order dated April 3, 2017, had said: “We have put it to the counsel for the petitioner that in so far as the Ramsar Convention sites are concerned, since they are matters of international heritage, it might be more appropriate if the concerned High Courts monitor the management of these sites at least till there is some visible improvement.”
Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. It is also known as convention on wetlands. It is named after the city of Ramsar in Iran, where the convention was signed in 1971.