M. P. State Wetland Authority

1. The State Wetlands Authority shall exercise the following powers and perform the following functions, namely: -

1. prepare a list of all wetlands of the State or Union Territory within three months from the date of publication of these rules;

2. prepare a list of wetlands to be notified, within six months from the date of publication of these rules; taking into cognizance any existing list of wetlands prepared/notified under other relevant State Acts;

3. recommend identified wetlands, based on their Brief Documents, for regulation under these rules;

4. prepare a comprehensive digital inventory of all wetlands within a period of one year from the date of publication of these rules and upload the same on a dedicated web portal to be developed by the Central Government for the said purpose; the inventory to be updated every ten years;

5. develop a comprehensive list of activities to be regulated and permitted within the notified wetlands and their zone of influence;

6. recommend additions, if any, to the list of prohibited activities for specific wetlands;

7. define strategies for conservation and wise use of wetlands within their jurisdiction; wise use being a principle for managing these ecosystems which incorporates sustainable uses (such as capture fisheries at subsistence level or harvest of aquatic plants) as being compatible with conservation, if ecosystem functions (such as water storage, groundwater recharge, flood buffering) and values (such as recreation and cultural) are maintained or enhanced;

8.  review integrated management plan for each of the notified wetlands (including trans-boundary wetlands in coordination with Central Government), and within these plans consider continuation and support to traditional uses of wetlands which are harmonized with ecological character;

9. in cases wherein lands within boundary of notified wetlands or wetlands complex have private tenancy rights, recommend mechanisms for maintenance of ecological character through promotional activities;

10. identify mechanisms for convergence of implementation of the management plan with the existing State/Union Territory level development plans and programmes;

11. ensure enforcement of these rules and other relevant Acts, rules and regulations and on half-yearly basis (June and December of each calendar year) inform the concerned State Government or Union Territory Administration or Central Government on the status of such notified wetlands through a reporting mechanism;

12. coordinate implementation of integrated management plans based on wise use principle through various line departments and other concerned agencies;

13.  function as nodal authority for all wetland specific authorities within the State Administration;

14. issue necessary directions for conservation and sustainable management of wetlands to the respective implementing agencies;

15. undertake measures for enhancing awareness within stakeholders and local communities on values and functions of wetlands; and

16. advise on any other matter suo-motu, or as referred by the State Government Administration.

2. Delegation of powers and functions to the State Government

1. The concerned Department of the State Government shall within a period of one year from the date of publication of these rules, prepare a Brief Document for each of the wetland identified for notification, providing: —

1. demarcation of wetland boundary supported by accurate digital maps with coordinates and validated by ground truthing;

2. demarcation of its zone of influence and land use and land cover thereof indicated in a digital map;

3.  ecological character description;

4. account of pre-existing rights and privileges;

5.  list of site-specific activities to be permitted within the wetland and its zone of influence;

6.  list of site-specific activities to be regulated within the wetland and its zone of influence; and

7. modalities for enforcement of regulation;

2. Based on the Brief Document, the Authority shall make recommendations to the State Government or Union Territory Administration for notifying the wetlands.

3. The State Government or Union Territory Administration shall, after considering the objections, if any, from the concerned and affected persons, notify the wetlands in the Official Gazette, within a period not exceeding 240 days from the date of recommendation by the Authority.

4. a. In case of trans-boundary wetlands, the Central Government shall coordinate with concerned State Governments and Union Territory Administrations to prepare the Brief Document containing information as listed in sub-rule (1).

b. Based on the Brief Document, the National Wetlands Committee shall make recommendations to the Central Government for notification of the wetland.

c.   The Central Government shall, after considering the objections, if any, from the concerned   and affected persons, notify the wetlands in the Official Gazette, within a period not exceeding 240 days from the date of recommendation by the Committee.

5. (a) The Central Government shall create a dedicated web portal for information relating to wetlands.

(b) The Central Government, State Government and Union Territory Administration shall upload all relevant information and documents pertaining to wetlands in their jurisdiction.

1. Prepare a list of all wetlands of the State

2. Prepare a list of wetlands to be notified

3. Develop a comprehensive list of activities to be regulated and permitted within the notified wetlands and their zone of influence

4. Prepare a comprehensive digital inventory of all wetlands

5. identified wetlands, based on their Brief Documents, for regulation or notification

6. Recommend additions, if any, to the list of prohibited activities for specific wetlands

7. Define strategies for conservation and wise use of wetlands and review integrated management plan for notified wetlands.

8. Identify mechanisms for convergence of implementation of the management plan

9. Ensure enforcement of these rules, and other relevant Acts, rules and regulations coordinate as nodal authority for all wetland specific authorities within the State

10. Issue necessary directions for conservation and sustainable management of wetlands

11. measures for enhancing awareness within stakeholders and suo-motu, or as referred by the State Government