New Delhi, 26 May (H.S.): The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Central Government while hearing a petition challenging the constitutional validity of the definition of wetlands. A bench headed by Chief Justice Justice Suryakant directed the Centre to file its response by August 10.

The petition has been filed by biologist Ravindra Sinha and others. During the hearing, senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for the petitioners, argued that under Rule 2(g) of the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, wetlands are defined as marshes, swamps, peatlands, or any area of water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary.

He further submitted that the Wetlands Rules have weakened the protection earlier available to wetlands, resulting in a large number of ecologically sensitive sites being deprived of regulatory safeguards. He stated that out of 99 identified sites, regulatory protections have been removed from 44 locations.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar