India’s wetlands, including mangroves and lakes, act as “biological superstores” covering nearly 5% of the country. They serve as nature’s kidneys by purifying water, recharging groundwater, and preventing floods. These ecosystems are essential for fighting climate change and supporting millions of livelihoods across India.

To stop the damage from rapid urban growth and pollution, the government introduced the Wetlands Rules (2017). These rules moved power to the states, allowing for local management. They follow the global “wise use” principle, which means we must protect nature while still using its resources sustainably.

Despite these laws, many wetlands still lack formal legal protection. While thousands are mapped, most remain vulnerable to encroachment. To save these lifelines, India must move beyond paper rules and involve local communities—known as “Wetland Mitras”—to ensure these vital ecosystems survive for future generations.

Ramsar Sites

Ramsar Sites are globally recognized wetlands protected under an international treaty to ensure they are managed sustainably and kept healthy. These areas, which include lakes, marshes, and mangroves, act as “nature’s sponges” by filtering water, preventing floods, and storing carbon to fight climate change.

For example, the East Kolkata Wetlands in West Bengal naturally treat the city’s sewage while supporting local fisheries, while the Sundarban Wetland serves as a massive mangrove barrier that protects the coast from storms and provides a habitat for the Royal Bengal Tiger. Other notable examples include Chilika Lake in Odisha, a haven for migratory birds, and Vembanad Kol in Kerala, which is vital for local agriculture and tourism.

Evolution: From 2010 to 2017 Rules

The 2017 Rules marked a fundamental shift from centralized control to cooperative federalism.

*Although the 2017 Rules lack a dedicated ‘Appeals’ section—unlike their 2010 predecessor—the National Green Tribunal (NGT) retains jurisdiction over wetland-related disputes under Section 16 of the NGT Act, 2010.

Key Provisions (Rules 3–7)

• Definition and Scope (Rule 2): Wetlands encompass natural or artificial areas of marsh, fen, peatland, or water—whether static or flowing, fresh, brackish, or saline—including marine areas where the depth does not exceed six meters at low tide.
• Exclusions: River channels, paddy fields, and areas covered under Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) are excluded to prevent legislative overlap. While paddy fields are excluded from these specific rules to avoid legislative overlap, they remain governed by relevant agricultural and local land-use policies.
• Prohibited Activities (Rule 4): In notified wetlands and their “zones of influence,” the following are strictly banned:
  • Establishment or expansion of industries.
  • Disposal of untreated effluents or solid waste.
  • Encroachments and permanent constructions.
• Institutional Mechanism:
  • State/UT Wetlands Authority: Chaired by the State Environment Minister; they prepare “Brief Documents” for boundary delineation.
  • National Wetlands Committee: Provides policy advice to the Centre and oversees Ramsar sites.

Landmark Judicial Interventions

The judiciary has played a proactive role in enforcing these rules:

• K. Balakrishnan v. Union of India: The Supreme Court invoked the Public Trust Doctrine, linking wetland health to the Article 21 right to a clean environment. In December 2024, the Court directed states to undertake immediate ground-truthing of ~30,000 additional wetlands.
• Anand Arya v. Union of India: Clarified that Ramsar sites merit protection regardless of formal state notification.
• NGT Interventions: The Tribunal frequently applies the “Polluter Pays” principle to restore sites like Sambhar Lake and Deepor Beel.

Challenges: The Notification Gap

Despite a robust framework, implementation remains the primary hurdle:

• Scale vs. Protection: ISRO has mapped over 231,195 wetlands, yet only about 102 have been formally notified under the 2017 Rules as of early 2025.
• Small Wetlands: Ponds below 25 hectares often remain unprotected, leaving urban “blue spaces” vulnerable to real estate pressures.
• State Discretion: While decentralization allows for local context, it risks allowing industrial priorities to override ecological “wise use” in certain jurisdictions.

Note: India currently has 98 Ramsar Sites (the highest in Asia), covering over 13.6 lakh hectares, following significant additions through 2025.

The Path Ahead: From Paper to Practice

India is addressing these gaps through community-centric initiatives:

• Amrit Dharohar: Focuses on eco-tourism and livelihood generation at Ramsar sites.
• Wetland Mitras: A network of local “friends of wetlands” for community stewardship.
• Mission Sahbhagita: Aims to prepare “health cards” and improve the ecological health of at least 1,000 wetlands through participatory management.

Conclusion

India’s wetlands act as “biological superstores,” covering nearly 5% of the country. They are essential for purifying water, preventing floods, and storing carbon. The Wetlands Rules (2017) modernized their protection by moving power from the central government to the states. This “wise use” approach aims to balance nature conservation with sustainable local livelihoods, backed by strong Supreme Court orders to map and protect these areas.

However, a major gap remains between theory and practice. While thousands of wetlands are mapped, very few have official legal protection, leaving small ponds at risk. To truly save these “kidneys of the landscape,” India must move beyond laws on paper. Success depends on community involvement through “Wetland Mitras” and strict enforcement to ensure these lifelines remain healthy for the future.