Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017

The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017 are a set of rules that were enacted by the Government of India in order to conserve and manage wetlands in the country. The rules cover a wide range of topics, including:

  • The identification and notification of wetlands
  • The prohibition of activities that are harmful to wetlands
  • The management of wetlands
  • The monitoring of wetlands
  • The research and development of wetlands
  • The public awareness of wetlands
  • The capacity building for wetlands management

The rules are intended to ensure that wetlands are protected and managed in a sustainable manner. They are also intended to promote the use of wetlands for a variety of purposes, such as water supply, flood control, and recreation.

The rules are divided into the following sub-topics:

  • Preliminary
  • Definitions
  • Identification and notification of wetlands
  • Prohibition of activities harmful to wetlands
  • Management of wetlands
  • Monitoring of wetlands
  • Research and development of wetlands
  • Public awareness of wetlands
  • Capacity building for wetlands management
  • Offences and penalties
  • Repeal and savings
  • Schedules
    The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017 are a set of rules that were enacted by the Government of India in order to conserve and manage wetlands in the country. The rules cover a wide range of topics, including:

  • The identification and notification of wetlands

  • The prohibition of activities that are harmful to wetlands
  • The management of wetlands
  • The monitoring of wetlands
  • The research and development of wetlands
  • The public awareness of wetlands
  • The capacity building for wetlands management

The rules are intended to ensure that wetlands are protected and managed in a sustainable manner. They are also intended to promote the use of wetlands for a variety of purposes, such as water supply, flood control, and recreation.

The rules are divided into the following sub-topics:

  • Preliminary
  • Definitions
  • Identification and notification of wetlands
  • Prohibition of activities harmful to wetlands
  • Management of wetlands
  • Monitoring of wetlands
  • Research and development of wetlands
  • Public awareness of wetlands
  • Capacity building for wetlands management
  • Offences and penalties
  • Repeal and savings
  • Schedules

Preliminary

The rules apply to all wetlands in India, except for wetlands that are under the jurisdiction of the Union Government.

Definitions

For the purposes of the rules, the following terms have the following meanings:

  • “Wetland” means an area of land that is saturated with water or covered by water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances does support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions.
  • “Management plan” means a document that sets out the objectives, strategies, and actions for the management of a wetland.
  • “Monitoring” means the regular observation and recording of the condition of a wetland.
  • “Research and development” means the systematic investigation of the properties and phenomena of wetlands, and the application of the results of such investigations to the management of wetlands.
  • “Public awareness” means the dissemination of information about wetlands to the public.
  • “Capacity building” means the development of the skills and knowledge necessary for the management of wetlands.

Identification and notification of wetlands

The Central Government shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, identify and notify wetlands that are of national importance. The State Governments shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, identify and notify wetlands that are of State importance.

Prohibition of activities harmful to wetlands

No person shall undertake any activity that is harmful to a wetland, including, but not limited to, the following activities:

  • Draining or filling a wetland
  • Polluting a wetland
  • Destroying or damaging the vegetation of a wetland
  • Hunting or trapping animals in a wetland
  • Collecting or removing plants or animals from a wetland
  • Building or constructing any structure in a wetland

Management of wetlands

The management of a wetland shall be carried out in accordance with a management plan that has been prepared for the wetland. The management plan shall be prepared by the State Government or the Central Government, as the case may be.

Monitoring of wetlands

The Central Government and the State Governments shall monitor the condition of wetlands that have been identified and notified under the rules. The monitoring shall be carried out in accordance with a monitoring plan that has been prepared for the wetland.

Research and development of wetlands

The Central Government and the State Governments shall promote research and development on wetlands. The research and development shall be carried out in accordance with a research and development plan that has been prepared for the wetland.

Public awareness of wetlands

The Central Government and the State Governments shall promote public awareness of wetlands. The public awareness shall be carried out in accordance with a public awareness plan that has been prepared for the wetland.

Capacity building for wetlands management

The Central Government and the State Governments shall promote capacity building for the management of wetlands. The capacity building shall be carried out in accordance with a capacity building plan that has been prepared for the wetland.

Offences and penalties

Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of the rules shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees, or with both.

Repeal and savings

The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules 2010 are hereby repealed.

Schedules

The rules are accompanied by two schedules. Schedule I lists the wetlands that have been identified and notified under the rules. Schedule II lists the activities that are prohibited under the rules.
What are wetlands?

Wetlands are areas of land that are saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally. They include swamps, marshes, bogs, and fens. Wetlands play an important role in the environment, providing habitat for wildlife, filtering water, and storing carbon.

What are the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017?

The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017 are a set of rules that were enacted by the Government of India in order to conserve and manage wetlands in the country. The rules cover a wide range of topics, including:

  • The identification and notification of wetlands
  • The prohibition of activities that are harmful to wetlands
  • The management of wetlands
  • The monitoring of wetlands
  • The research and development of wetlands
  • The public awareness of wetlands
  • The capacity building for wetlands management

The rules are intended to ensure that wetlands are protected and managed in a sustainable manner. They are also intended to promote the use of wetlands for a variety of purposes, such as water supply, flood control, and recreation.

What are the benefits of conserving wetlands?

Wetlands provide a number of benefits, including:

  • They provide habitat for wildlife.
  • They filter water and improve water quality.
  • They store carbon and help to mitigate climate change.
  • They provide flood control and storm protection.
  • They are a source of recreation and tourism.

What are the threats to wetlands?

Wetlands are threatened by a number of factors, including:

  • Development
  • Pollution
  • Drainage
  • Overexploitation
  • Invasive species

What can be done to conserve wetlands?

There are a number of things that can be done to conserve wetlands, including:

  • Identifying and protecting wetlands
  • Regulating activities that are harmful to wetlands
  • Promoting the sustainable use of wetlands
  • Raising public awareness about the importance of wetlands
  • Providing financial incentives for wetland conservation

What are the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017 doing to conserve wetlands?

The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017 are doing a number of things to conserve wetlands, including:

  • Identifying and notifying wetlands
  • Prohibiting activities that are harmful to wetlands
  • Managing wetlands in a sustainable manner
  • Monitoring wetlands
  • Promoting research and development on wetlands
  • Raising public awareness about wetlands
  • Building capacity for wetlands management

What are the challenges to implementing the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017?

There are a number of challenges to implementing the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017, including:

  • Lack of awareness about the rules
  • Lack of resources to implement the rules
  • Lack of political will to implement the rules
  • Conflicts between different stakeholders
  • Lack of coordination between different government agencies

What can be done to address the challenges to implementing the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017?

There are a number of things that can be done to address the challenges to implementing the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017, including:

  • Raising awareness about the rules
  • Providing resources to implement the rules
  • Building political will to implement the rules
  • Resolving conflicts between different stakeholders
  • Improving coordination between different government agencies
  • The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017 were enacted by the Government of India in order to:
    (A) Conserve and manage wetlands in the country.
    (B) Promote the use of wetlands for a variety of purposes, such as water supply, flood control, and recreation.
    (C) Ensure that wetlands are protected and managed in a sustainable manner.
    (D) All of the above.

  • The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017 cover a wide range of topics, including:
    (A) The identification and notification of wetlands.
    (B) The prohibition of activities that are harmful to wetlands.
    (C) The management of wetlands.
    (D) The monitoring of wetlands.
    (E) The research and development of wetlands.
    (F) The public awareness of wetlands.
    (G) The capacity building for wetlands management.
    (H) All of the above.

  • The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017 are intended to:
    (A) Ensure that wetlands are protected and managed in a sustainable manner.
    (B) Promote the use of wetlands for a variety of purposes, such as water supply, flood control, and recreation.
    (C) Both (A) and (B).

  • The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017 are divided into the following sub-topics:
    (A) Preliminary.
    (B) Definitions.
    (C) Identification and notification of wetlands.
    (D) Prohibition of activities harmful to wetlands.
    (E) Management of wetlands.
    (F) Monitoring of wetlands.
    (G) Research and development of wetlands.
    (H) Public awareness of wetlands.
    (I) Capacity building for wetlands management.
    (J) Offences and penalties.
    (K) Repeal and savings.
    (L) Schedules.

  • The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017 are intended to ensure that wetlands are protected and managed in a sustainable manner. This means that the rules are intended to:
    (A) Protect wetlands from activities that could harm them, such as pollution, development, and over-exploitation.
    (B) Manage wetlands in a way that ensures their long-term health and productivity.
    (C) Promote the use of wetlands for a variety of purposes, such as water supply, flood control, and recreation, in a way that does not harm the wetlands.
    (D) All of the above.