SHILLONG: With an objective to mainstream full range of wetland biodiversity and ecosystem service values in sectoral development planning and decision making based on integrated management approach, the Government of India has published the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, dated March 31, 2016 to regulate various activities within the wetlands in the country. This was informed by the Deputy Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Forests and Environment department.
In the notification issued, the Government of India stated that many wetlands are seriously threatened by reclamation and degradation through drainage and landfill, pollution (discharge of domestic and industrial effluents, disposal of solid wastes), hydrological alterations (water withdrawal and inflow changes) and over exploitation of the natural resources resulting in loss of biodiversity and disruption in goods and services provided by wetlands.
As a result, the government felt that it is the duty of every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife and to have compassion for living creatures.
Any persons desirous of making any objections or suggestions with respect to the said draft rules may forward the same, within the specified period of 60 days, to the Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Indira Paryavaran Bhavan, Jorbagh Road, New Delhi-110003 or e-mail to b.sikka@gov.in, ram.jindal@nic.in and c.singh@nic.in
