State Govt. sets up State Wetland Authority

By Realty Quarter Bureau

Maharashtra government has set up a 21 member Maharashtra State Wetland Authority (MSWA) under the environment ministry for regulating the wetlands available. The move comes after the Union Ministry of environment, forest, and climate change notified the Wetland Rules 2017 in the month of September. The new rules have replaced the rules which were formulated in 2010.

Under the new rules, powers have been granted to the state government to protect and conserve wetlands. These rules call for setting up of a state wetland authority in every state and Union Territory to be headed by environment minister.

Now, activities like conversion of wetland for non-wetland purposes, including encroachments, disposal of waste, construction activities and discharge of effluents from units will be prohibited.

The experts include government officials, including Dr Bharat Bhushan, head of department (environment), YASHADA, Pune.