Govt has set up wetland authority: TN to HC

The Tamil Nadu government today informed the Madras High Court that it has set up a state wetland authority under the chairmanship of the chief secretary to aid and advise as well as to formulate policies for the protection and preservation of wetlands in the state.

The court had earlier taken suo motu notice as per a Supreme Court direction on preservation of wetlands in the state.

The high court had also raised several questions to be answered by departments concerned on various issues, including conducting field research of vegetation, water birds and wild life-eco development activities, among others.

As directed by the high court, the state government filed a status report today before the first bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice A Selvam.

The government said it has also formed a conservation authority of Pallikaranai marshland complex in the city.

The report further stated that the only water body, which is covered under the Ramsar Convention, 1971, is Calimere Wildlife and Birds Sanctuary.

The report further said Rs 85.46 lakh has been incurred for the improvement of the habitat of water birds from 2003-04 to 2013-14.

For eco-developmental activities and improvement of wildlife and avian-fauna conservation from 2001-02 to up to 2016-17, the total amount incurred was Rs 80.26 lakh.

Steps are also being taken to bring the Panchanadikulam Wetland measuring 8,097 hectares and unsurveyed 15.12 hectare salt swamp, located between Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary and Muthupet mangroves, within the umbrella of the the Ramsar Convention, the report said.

Adjourning the matter for filing further status report, particularly on the Panchandikulam Wetland, the bench posted the matter to July 2.

The apex court, in its order in April last year had said,
"We have put it to the counsel for the petitioner that in so far as the Ramsar Convention sites are concerned, since they are matters of international heritage, it might be more appropriate if the concerned high courts monitor management of these sites at least till there is some visible improvement."