Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules of 2017
For effective conservation and management of wetlands in the country, the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 supersede the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010.
The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017, changed the management of wetlands away from a central body and toward state-level organisations.
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The regulations outline the National Wetland Committee's advisory duty, which includes reviewing the development of integrated management of Ramsar Convention areas as well as advising state agencies on the wise-use concept when it comes to wetlands.
In order to assist State Governments and Union Territory (UT) Administrations in implementing the Rules, the Guidelines for the Rules have been developed.
They offer guidance on a number of different topics, including:
identifying wetlands for notification under the Rules
delineating wetlands
wetland complexes, and zones of influence
preparing a Brief Document
creating a list of activities to be regulated and permitted
addressing the structure and operational issues of the Wetlands Authority.
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The rules forbid activities like encroachment of any kind, the establishment and growth of industries, waste disposal, and the discharge of untreated wastes and effluents from businesses, cities, towns, villages, and other human settlements.
Once an area is formally declared as a wetland, land use will not change.
The move will also disallow encroachments or construction.
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However, traditional fishing activities will be permitted and the use of water by the locals, if required, will be allowed.
Once they are notified, the Wetland Rules will be enforced and strategies would be chalked out for conservation and judicious use.”
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Water Bodies in Puducherry
As many as five water bodies in Puducherry will soon be declared as wetlands under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules of 2017.
The identified waterbodies in the first phase are Oussudu Lake, Bahour Lake, Vadhanur tank, Katterikuppam tank, and Korkadu tank.
Of them, Oussudu Lake spread over 800 acres is a bird sanctuary and co-managed by Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
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