Which of the following is/are true?

1) There is no specific law for wetland conservation, management and use in India.

2) Around 70% of India’s wetlands are under paddy cultivation.

a. Only 1

b. Only 2

c. Both 1 and 2

d. None of the above

ANSWER: Both 1 and 2

Explanation:

There are over 27000 Wetlands in India covering 18.4% of total area. Out of them, an overwhelming majority is of inland wetlands (23000) while few of them are coastal wetlands (4000).

Around 70% of India’s wetlands are under paddy cultivation. Majority of wetlands in India are manmade. There is no specific law for wetland conservation, management and use in India.

The wetlands are covered under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Using the powers given by this act, the Central Government had issued the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010.

There was a need to update these rules. The recently released Draft Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2016 is a step in that direction.