In Brief
The Supreme Court reviewed the Union of India's expenditure of Rs. 945.95 crores on wetland management and Ramsar Convention sites. The Court found that despite substantial spending, visible ground-level improvements were lacking and accounting transparency was questionable. Rather than continuing central supervision, the Court directed that the expenditure affidavit be sent to 16 designated High Courts to monitor Ramsar sites as matters of international heritage through suo motu proceedings. High Courts were requested to appoint amici curiae if needed. The Union was directed to file a comprehensive audited affidavit within six weeks, with the matter relisted for July 2017.
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