Paper: GS-III, Subject: Environment and Ecology, Topic: Wetlands, Mangroves and Corals, Issue: Protecting Wetland Conservation Reserves from Mining
Context
Recently, the Supreme Court clarified that mining within ten kilometres of notified wetland conservation reserves requires prior wildlife clearance. The direction extends the protective approach adopted for Uttarakhand’s Asan Wetland Conservation Reserve to similarly placed reserves.
Explanation
Key Developments and Implications
- In 2024, the Supreme Court required mining projects within ten kilometres of the Asan Wetland Conservation Reserve to secure prior wildlife permission.
- The Court has clarified that comparable safeguards should apply to other notified wetland conservation reserves across India.
- This direction does not impose an absolute mining ban; instead, it requires additional ecological scrutiny.
- The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife or the Union Environment Ministry must examine affected mining proposals.
- The decision recognises that activities outside a wetland boundary can disturb water flows, wildlife habitats and migratory bird routes.
Challenges and Limitations
- Ramsar recognition alone does not create a uniform statutory buffer or automatic mining prohibition around every listed wetland.
- Protection varies according to wildlife status, forest classification, wetland notifications, environmental clearances and site-specific judicial orders.
- Unclear boundaries and inaccurate distance measurements can create disputes regarding the permissions applicable to particular mining projects.
- State-level implementation may remain uneven because technical capacity, monitoring systems and enforcement priorities differ considerably.
India’s Initiatives and Government Measures
- The Wetlands Rules prohibit reclamation, waste dumping, permanent construction and other activities damaging notified wetlands.
- State Wetland Authorities identify wetlands, define their zone of influence and list regulated or permitted activities.
- Mining may separately require environmental clearance, forest approval and wildlife clearance, as each addresses different ecological concerns.
Way Forward
- Authorities should scientifically demarcate wetland boundaries and their surrounding zones of influence.
- Cumulative environmental assessments must consider mining, transport, groundwater extraction, pollution and habitat fragmentation together.
- Local communities should participate in monitoring because their livelihoods and knowledge are closely connected with wetland health.
- India needs a consistent national framework for regulating harmful activities near important wetlands.
Conclusion
The clarification strengthens protection for wetland conservation reserves without treating every Ramsar site identically. Effective conservation requires clear boundaries, scientific assessment and coordinated enforcement, while permitting only ecologically sustainable development.
Source: (The Hindu)
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