Supreme Court directs states to physically verify and demarcate wetlands and file compliance affidavits within four months

The Supreme Court has directed all states and Wetland Authorities to carry out physical ground-truthing and demarcation of wetlands and other water bodies, observing that water bodies, as a source of drinking water, are precious and fall within the right to life. A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and Vipul M. Pancholi said the court cannot remain a mere spectator while water bodies stay unprotected, and noted that the exercise remains incomplete nine years after the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017. After senior counsel Shekhar Naphade sought six to nine months for the extensive work, the bench granted four months to complete the exercise, with compliance affidavits detailing the mode and method adopted. The direction came in a PIL by bird enthusiast Anand Arya, advocate M. K. Balakrishnan and NGO Vanashakti. Sources: The Hindu, Deccan Herald, Mathrubhumi. (The Hindu, Deccanherald, English)

• The Supreme Court has directed all states and Wetland Authorities to carry out physical ground-truthing and demarcation of wetlands and other water bodies, observing that water bodies, as a source of drinking water, are
• A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and Vipul M.
• Pancholi said the court cannot remain a mere spectator while water bodies stay unprotected, and noted that the exercise remains incomplete nine years after the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017.