Shri Narendra Modi
Hon’ble Prime Minister of India

Subject: Directions to Save Wetlands – An Open Letter

Greetings on Bird Migratory Day from Bird and Birders of the World with a request to you to review the Status of Wetlands in subject and issue Directions to MOEFCC in view of the following:

STATUS:

1. That NOT A SINGLE WETLAND (except 37 Ramsar Wetlands) has been notified as per MOEFCC Website and a Reply to Application Under RTI Act in June 2020.
2. That there are 757060 Wetlands, admeasuring 1,52,60572 Ha or 4.5% of India’s Geographical Area.
3. That Wetlands Provide 125 Billion Cubic Meter (BCM) of Water to Water requirements of India.

IMPORTANCE OF WETLANDS:

4. That Wetlands are the most important element of Hydrological Cycle.
5. That the Wetlands perform functions such as Underground Water Recharge, Water Purification, Provision of Water during Droughts, Control Soil Erosion, and Floods, Provide Food, Aesthetic Enhancement of Environment, Environment Protection through Micro Climate Control-Stabilization-, Employment via Fishing, Recreational Tourism etc.

ECONOMIC VALUE OF A WETLANDS:

6. That Wetlands have tremendous Economic Value if all Function performed by Wetlands are valued.
7. That One Ha of Wetland adds to Underground Aquifers between 30-50 Lac Liters of Water every year (based on 75 CMs of Rain, 40-70 % Absorption). Valued at 15Paise a Liter the Value per Ha is Rs.4.5-7.5 Lacs.

NO PROTECTION:

8. That ZERO PROTECTION today despite Environment (Protection) Act enacted in 1986 and Wetland Rules notified twice in 2010 and 2017 as the Legal and Statutory Duty of Government has not been Discharged.
9. That ZERO ACTION on implementing Directions of Supreme Court in February 2017 (Civil Writ Petition 230/2001) Granting Protection to 201503 Wetlands with area of 14705015 Ha or 4.3% of India’s Geographical Area – both under Rules 2010 and Rules 2017.

NAL SE JAL (PIPED WATER) AND ATAL BHUJAL YOJANA:

10. Can only succeed if Ground Water Recharge is doubled through Protection and proper Management of Wetlands.

Sir, humbly request your direct intervention and use of Sections 5 & 15 of EPA 1986 to ensure compliance by Designated Officials to do the required work – something that is a dereliction of duty of the part of officials – and the WETLANDS ARE GIVEN DUE & EFFECTIVE PROTECTION IMMEDIATELY.

With Respects and Regards.

Birds and Birders of the World – 10.10.2020
Anand Arya
Sector 15A, Noida
+ 91 9818261909