Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Thursday directed the Maharashtra government and the State Wetlands Authority to submit details of the steps taken to protect Ramsar Convention sites in the state.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice M.S. Karnik asked the authorities to file affidavits explaining the action taken for “ground truthing” and “ground demarcation” of the three Ramsar-designated wetlands in Maharashtra.
The HC took cognisance of the issue on January 10, following a Supreme Court order dated December 11, 2024, directing all high courts to initiate proceedings for the protection of Ramsar sites across the country.
Ramsar sites are wetlands of international importance, designated under the Ramsar Convention, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. India has 85 such sites, three of which are in Maharashtra—Lonar Lake in Buldhana district, Nandur Madhameshwar in Nashik district, and Thane Creek.
The HC, while issuing notices to the Union and State governments and the Maharashtra Wetlands Authority, appointed senior advocate Janak Dwarkadas as amicus curiae (friend of the court).
On Thursday, Dwarkadas referred to the Supreme Court order, which noted that, according to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), India had 2,01,503 wetlands larger than 2.25 hectares before 2017. By 2021, the number had risen to 2,31,195.
Although the number has increased, actual on-ground verification—called “ground truthing”—has not been carried out. “The next step after identification of wetlands is ground truthing, which involves verification by a designated team. This process has been neglected by all States,” Dwarkadas said. This is followed by ground demarcation to protect the sites.
As per the SC order, the entire process was to be completed within three months of its issuance last December. Dwarkadas urged the court to direct the State to expedite the process.
The HC has now directed the State and the Wetlands Authority to share data related to the identification and inspection of these sites with the amicus curiae. The matter will be heard next on June 16.
Meanwhile, a PIL regarding the preservation of Lonar Lake was filed before the Nagpur bench of the High Court. The bench has now directed the high court registry to transfer the records to the principal bench.
