- (1.)Under Rule 5 of the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010 (for short, '2010 Rules'), the Central Government, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (3) of section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 constituted Central Wetlands Regulatory Authority (for short, 'Authority') consisting of the Chairperson and Members as mentioned therein. Some of the Members are by name. Nothing is available on record as to whether the Authority under 2010 Rules is functional as on date because under sub-rule (2) of Rule 5, the tenure of the Authority has been prescribed of three years. Sub-rule (3) of Rule 5 confers upon such Authority powers and functions.
(2.)We are informed that National Wetland Inventory and Assessment Project sponsored by the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India through Space Applications Centre, ISRO, Ahmedabad has undertaken the task in 2010 of making an inventory of all the wetlands in the country at scales of 1:50,000.
(3.)Mr. Gopal Sankaranarayanan, learned counsel for the petitioner, submits that in view of the extensive and comprehensive inventory of the wetlands in the country having been prepared, it is not necessary to have the exercise for identification and classification of wetlands done under Rule 6(2) and (4) of the 2010 Rules.