In Brief
Swacch Association, an environmental NGO, challenged recreational constructions at Futala Lake in Nagpur, arguing the lake is a protected wetland under the Wetlands Rules. The Supreme Court held that Futala Lake, constructed in 1799 for irrigation and drinking water, is a man-made waterbody excluded from the statutory definition of 'wetland'. The Court found the installations (floating restaurant, viewer's gallery, parking plaza, artificial Banyan Tree) were temporary, removable structures that do not violate environmental rules. Notably, the Court extended the public trust doctrine to man-made waterbodies, requiring authorities to protect them for public benefit while permitting environmentally friendly recreational activities compliant with heritage and environmental norms. The appeal was dismissed.
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