Key features

Decentralisation of wetland management. Under the new rules, the powers have been given to the State governments so that protection and conservation can be done at the local level. The central government has mainly retained powers regarding monitoring.

The new rules have replaced the Central Wetlands Regulatory Authority (CWRA) with the National Wetland Committee, which has a merely advisory role.

The State or UT Wetlands Authority will have to prepare a list of all wetlands and also will develop a comprehensive list of activities to be regulated and permitted within notified wetlands and their zone of influence.

The new rules also prohibit encroachments on wetlands, solid waste dumping, discharge of untreated waste and effluents from industries and human settlements.

It prescribes that conservation and management would be based on the principle of wise use, which is to be

determined by the Wetlands Authority.