Shillong, Mar 19: The Meghalaya High Court has directed the state government to launch an intense drive to identify Ramsar sites (wetlands) in the state and complete the exercise in six weeks.
In an order on a PIL, the high court asked the Meghalaya State Wetland Authority and the Department of Forests and Environment to launch the identification drive as per a Supreme Court order.
“If Ramsar sites are identified they may be forthwith notified,” said the order issue by the bench comprising Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh.
The Supreme Court order issued on 11 December 2024 asked for expeditious identification drive for Ramsar sites across the country.
In his submission, government counsel NG Shylla admitted that entire body of wetlands or waterbodies may not have been inspected by the state.
However, based on existing inspection, which may not be complete, the member secretary issued the note on 24 February 2025.
She urged the court to provide an opportunity to the state government to make a thorough identification of waterbodies or wetlands or Ramsar sites, which may have escaped inspection and identification.
The government counsel asked for six weeks’ time to complete the exercise, which was granted by the court.
