Central control out, subjective aspects in: why new wetlands Rules are different: 

Central control out, subjective aspects in: why new wetlands Rules are different: 

Context:

• The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate has rolled out new Wetlands Rules 2017.
• The new rules will dilute the rules of 2010 version.  

What are Wetlands?

• Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, or is present either at or near the surface of the soil all year or for varying periods of time during the year, including during the growing season.
• Wetlands may support both aquatic and terrestrial species.
• Wetlands vary widely because of regional and local differences in soils, topography, climate, hydrology, water chemistry, vegetation and other factors, including human disturbance.
• It is to be noted that there are 115 wetlands officially identified by Central Government and of those 26 are identified as wetlands of international importance under Ramsar Convention.

How are wetlands important for the ecosystem?

1. Wetlands important for primary products such as pastures, timber and fish and support recreational and tourist activities.
2. Wetlands help reduce the impacts from storm damage and flooding, maintain good water quality in rivers, recharge groundwater, store carbon, help stabilise climatic conditions and control pests.
3. Wetlands reduce the risk of flooding by slowing down the movement of floodwaters along rivers and releasing water over time.
4. Wetlands support agricultural activities by providing a source of water for irrigation and livestock and for domestic consumption.
5. Wetlands also support sustainable forestry.

Wetlands(Conservation and Management Rules), 2017:

1. According to the new rule, the wetlands has a different definition.

• It is described as an area of marsh, fen, peatland or water; whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres, but does not include river channels, paddy fields, human-made water bodies/tanks specifically constructed for drinking water purposes and structures specifically constructed for aquaculture, salt production, recreation and irrigation purposes.

2. As per the new rules, the court said that 2, 01,503 wetlands in the country would continue to be protected by the government.

• These wetlands had been identified using ISRO’s satellite imagery, after which the apex court had asked the Centre to inventories, protect and notify them in consultation with state governments.

3. The new rules stipulate in setting up of State Wetlands Authority in each State/UTs headed by State’s environment minister and include range of government officials.

How are the new Rules different from the 2010 rules?

1. The 2010 Rules listed six points describing protected wetlands but the new Rules have done away with them.

• The new Rules instead state that wetlands are limited to and do not include wetlands under forest and coastal regulation zones.
• They apply to (a) wetlands categorised as “wetlands of international importance” under the Ramsar Convention and (b) wetlands as notified by the central government, state government and UT administration.

2. Restriction on activities in wetlands now no longer includes reclamation.

• The Rules provide no timelines for phasing out solid waste and untreated waste from being dumped into wetlands.

3. Under ‘Restrictions of activities in wetlands’, the new Rules say conservation and management would be in accordance with the principle of ‘wise use’ as determined by the Wetlands Authority.

• This ‘wise use’ is nothing but the maintenance of ecological character, achieved through implementation of ecosystem approaches, within the context of sustainable development.

4. The 2010 Rules said that any person aggrieved by the decision of the Authority (CWRA) may prefer an appeal to the National Green Tribunal within a period of sixty days from the date of such decision. This provision does not exist in the 2017 Rules.