Doubt Clearance Thread: UPSC 2021

The provisions of Wetlands Rules apply to:

1. a)  Wetlands designated by the Government of India to the List of Wetlands of International Importance under the provisions of the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention). [Ref. Rule 3 (a) of Wetlands Rule]

2. b)  Wetlands notified under the rules by the Central Government, State Government and UT Administration. [Ref. Rule 3 (b) of Wetlands Rule]

4. All wetlands, irrespective of their location, size, ownership, biodiversity, or ecosystem services values, can be notified under the Wetlands Rules,except:

   1. a)  River channels;

   2. b)  Paddy fields;

   3. c)  Human-made waterbodies specifically constructed for drinking water purposes;

   4. d)  Human-made waterbodies specifically constructed for aquaculture purposes;

   5. e)  Human-made waterbodies specifically constructed for salt production purposes;

   6. f)  Human-made waterbodies specifically constructed for recreation purposes;

   7. g)  Human-made waterbodies specifically constructed for irrigation purposes;

   8. h)  Wetlands falling within areas covered under the Indian Forest Act, 1927; Forest

      (Conservation) Act, 1980; State Forest Acts and amendments thereof;

   9. i)  Wetlands falling within areas covered under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and

      amendments thereof;

   10. j)  Wetlands falling within areas covered under the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2011

       and amendments thereof.

   [Ref. Rule 2 (g) and Rule 3 of Wetlands Rules]

   
   

   
   

   (III)

   
   

   8. For wetlands falling within the criteria 3 (b) (supra), the exclusions mentioned at para 4 a) – 4j) shall applyonlyin cases wherein the entire wetland falls under the said category. In cases wherein areas falling within para 4 a) – 4 j) form a part of larger wetland or wetlands complex, and exclusion may result in impeded ecological contiguity and connectivity, such areas may beincludedwithin the boundary of wetland being notified. Regulations within the boundaries of areas mentioned at para 4 h) – 4 j) will, however, be as per the corresponding regulatory frameworks (Refer Illustration 1 and 2).