HC has asked district collectors to file affidavits explaining why incorrect information was given

MUMBAI: In 2010, 44,714 wetland sites were identified in Maharashtra. A decade later, their numbers have shrunk to approximately 15,865. The state environment department gave this information in an affidavit filed before the Bombay high court this past week.

The drastic fall in the numbers is on account of change in definition of wetlands under the 2017 Wetland Rules , said D Stalin, conservationist with NGO Vanashakti . In other words, a majority of areas classified as wetlands earlier are no longer identified as thus under the new definition.

The severity of the problem can be gauged from the depletion of wetland sites in one district alone. In Satara district of western Maharashtra, of a total of 7,909 wetland sites, there are only 719 in existence, states the affidavit. The 7,909 sites were identified by the Space Application Centre, Ahmedabad. The ground reality is that there are merely 719 sites in existence, sid Joy Thakur, under secretary, environment department, in his affidavit.

“For four years, the government did nothing despite the high court ordering them to draw up a list in 2013. The loss of wetlands is worrisome, especially in a state that regularly suffers from drought,” alleged Stalin.

The affidavit before the Bombay high court has stated that in 2010 the Wetlands Atlas published by the Space Application Centre had identified 44,714 sites in the state. According to the 2017 rules, 23,055 sites are indicated as per the Wetland Rules of 2017. But an onsite inspection shows there may be approximately 15,865 sites.

The affidavit states 15,189 sites have been visited and verified and that there are no wetlands in Nagpur, Nandurbar and Parbhani.

Subsequently, though, the court was informed there are wetlands in these three districts. The court has now directed the respective district collectors to file an affidavit explaining why incorrect information was provided.

D Stalin, said the state deliberately dragged its feet on identification of wetlands in accordance with the 2010 rules.

