Wetlands: Delhi
This is a collection of articles archived for the excellence of their content. |
2016
The Times of India, Jun 01 2016
Jayashree Nandi
Wetland norms: No clarity on conservation
New wetland rules are a much watered-down version of the 2010 norms, which could make identification and conservation of such ecosystems more difficult, if notified. Green experts and lawyers have communicated their concerns to the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF).Monday was the last day for submission of comments on Wetland Rules, 2016. These rules were expected to be more stringent in the aftermath of the Chennai floods last year, but they have taken a turn for the worse. To begin with, it's not clear why the new rules have been drafted at all, especially when the 2010 norms haven't been implemented by most states yet. The most ambiguous clause in the new rules is the bit about restrictions of activities.
While the 2010 guidelines clearly categorised what is completely restricted and what is regulated, the new rules use vague terminologies, said experts. They have a “wise use of wetlands“ clause for the maintenance of their ecological character and call for an “ecosystem approach“.
While the new rules prohibit reclamation or conversion of land-use, they don't specify if dumping of waste, dredging, discharge of untreated waste and other activities are prohibited on wetlands. Further, the norms say that in exceptional cases, such prohibitions can be changed with prior approval of the Centre.The revised guidelines have done away with the Central Wetland Regulatory Authority (CWRA) that is responsible for appraising notification on new wetlands. Instead, they suggest setting up of state wetland authorities that will develop an integrated management plan for water bodies and get them notified by the state government.
The rules have no mention of how communities or people can ensure conservation of wetlands. They have no provisions for carrying out environment impact assessment (EIA) for projects on wetlands either. “The new rules draw upon the idea of sustainable development as the basis for which wetlands need to be protected. However, sustainable development is a contentious concept and can mean anything and everything,“ said Kanchi Kohli, legal research director at Namati. “If decisions are based on the `wise use' clause, they can be arbitrary and lead to a selective understanding. In this light, the 2016 draft is far from being an improvement from the 2010 rules.“
Several organisations, in cluding Yamuna Jiye Abhiyan (YJA), EIA Resource and Response Centre, Legal Initiative for Forest and Environment (LIFE), Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and many birders as well as wildlife enthusiasts have sent their feedback to the ministry .
Interestingly , the National Green Tribunal (NGT) is still hearing two petitions on nonimplementation of Wetland Rules, 2010 filed by Anand Arya and Pushp Jain. In the 12 responses received from various states and UTs, no wetlands have been notified.“NGT had recently ordered states to complete the process of identification of wetlands in five to 10 districts depending on the size of the state by July 22. Why change the rules when the issue is sub-judice? This is really bizarre,“ said Arya, a birder.
