By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 1: The government has informed the High Court of Meghalaya that while the state has 225 different types of water bodies, none meet the criteria to be designated as a Ramsar site—a status accorded to wetlands of international importance.
A report submitted by the Chief Conservator of Forests stated that the wetlands in Meghalaya include 66 lakes and ponds, one oxbow lake, six riverine wetlands, 18 waterlogged areas, 100 rivers and streams, nine reservoirs and barrages, and 25 tanks and ponds.
The report confirmed that albeit the “ground truthing” or field verification of these wetlands had been completed, none of them qualified for recognition under the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.
The High Court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed last year following a Supreme Court directive asking all states and union territories to identify and preserve potential Ramsar sites.
These sites are to be maintained in line with the resolutions of the global convention.
After reviewing the report, the division bench of Chief Justice JP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh accepted the findings.
The High Court also directed the Registrar General to file an affidavit with the Supreme Court on behalf of the State, detailing the report’s conclusions.