In Brief
M.K. Balakrishnan challenged the Union of India's delay in notifying the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2016 and protecting identified wetlands. The Supreme Court directed the Rules be notified by 30 June 2017. Pending this, the Court applied protective principles from the 2010 Rules to all 2,01,503 mapped wetlands, prohibiting reclamation, industrial activities, hazardous waste handling, and construction within fifty metres of mean high flood levels. The Central Wetland Regulatory Authority was ordered to finalize 1,683 wetland proposals by 31 March 2017. The Union was also directed to provide specific details on steps and fund utilization for 26 Ramsar Convention wetlands within four weeks.
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