The Madras High Court has directed the Centre and the State government to file reports on evolving a scheme to identify and conserve wetlands across the State.
The First Bench headed by Chief Justice Indira Banerjee passed the direction on a suo motu proceeding initiated in view of a Supreme Court direction dated April 3, in connection with maintenance of Ramsar Convention sites (a wetland considered to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, 1971, an intergovernmental environmental treaty established by UNSECO).
The apex court, in its order, had said that in so far as the Ramsar Convention sites were concerned, it might be more appropriate if the High Courts concerned monitored the management of these sites at least till there was some visible improvement.
The court then directed the registry to forward the copies of the plea to all the High Courts, for necessary follow up action on the matter.
Accordingly, the First Bench of the Madras High Court treated the matter as suo motu public interest litigation plea on Thursday and directed the authorities concerned in the State to take specific steps to preserve the wetlands covered by Ramsar Convention.
The Madras High Court Bench posted the PIL plea to August 21 for further hearing.
