India’s wetlands, crucial for biodiversity, water security, and flood mitigation, are vanishing at an alarming rate. Despite the introduction of the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules in 2010 and their revision in 2017, these ecosystems face unchecked urban encroachment, pollution, and poor enforcement of conservation laws.
Persistent Challenges in Wetland Protection
Judicial interventions, including directives from the Supreme Court, have repeatedly emphasized the significance of wetlands. In 2017, the court imposed a Rs 50,000 penalty on the government for failing to address deficiencies in wetland conservation proposals. However, systemic obstacles persist, leaving many of them vulnerable.
Conservationists Manu Bhatnagar and Vikrant Tongad recently filed a plea to include smaller wetlands under legal protection. These seasonal water bodies, vital for ecological balance, are often excluded, accelerating their degradation. The plea also advocates documenting wetlands’ monsoon spread for official recognition.
Gaps in State Accountability
State governments are primarily responsible for protecting wetlands but often fail to act effectively. For instance, in July 2024, the Supreme Court directed Uttar Pradesh to investigate the illegal filling of water bodies in Bijnor district. Similarly, Tamil Nadu’s Pulicat Bird Sanctuary remains at risk from unchecked land-use changes.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has also played a crucial role in addressing wetland violations. In Jammu and Kashmir, the NGT ordered action against encroachments and waste dumping in Hokersar Wetland and Wular Lake. Yet, inconsistent enforcement undermines such efforts, leaving conservation policies ineffective.
Bridging the Policy-Action Gap
Experts stress the need for comprehensive legal recognition of all wetlands, irrespective of size or seasonality. Robust conservation plans, waste disposal prohibitions, and effective monitoring mechanisms are vital. Authorities at district levels must enforce wetland protection rules, but many lack the necessary infrastructure or fail to convene regularly.
Call for Decisive Action
India’s wetlands are disappearing under the dual pressures of urbanization and neglect. While judicial interventions have spurred some progress, governance and enforcement challenges threaten these ecosystems’ survival. Immediate, sustained efforts are required to protect wetlands and ensure ecological balance.
Balancing development with conservation is crucial to preserving India’s natural heritage. The time to act is now.
Reference- Down To Earth article, National Geographic, BBC, DW, Wetlands of India Portal, Facebook