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The Haryana government has initiated the mapping and demarcation of 1,881 wetlands across the state, responding to a Supreme Court directive. The court's orders, issued earlier this year, emphasized the urgency of protecting these vital ecosystems from encroachment and pollution. District administrations have been tasked with verifying and marking the boundaries of these wetlands, with a deadline set for completion. This move aligns with national efforts to conserve wetlands under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017.
The Haryana government has started mapping and demarcating 1,881 wetlands identified across the state in compliance with a Supreme Court directive. The apex court had emphasized earlier that delayed notifications left many wetlands vulnerable to encroachment and pollution. The process involves district administrations verifying water bodies through ground truthing and marking their boundaries, forming the basis for legal notification under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017. Advertisement
District authorities received the list of wetlands on September 1 for verification. Ground truthing ensures that the satellite data used for mapping is accurate, an essential step as many natural water bodies had been left out in previous mapping exercises. Officials confirmed that inspections are underway, and boundaries are being demarcated in accordance with court orders.
The Supreme Court order stems from a case filed in 2018 by environmentalist Anand Arya. The court had asked all states and Union Territories to map and notify wetlands using digital maps prepared by the Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad, and confirm them through ground verification.
Haryana's wetland area has increased from 33,649 hectares in 2017-18 to 36,984.5 hectares in 2023-24, marking a 10% growth. This increase is mainly due to the creation and expansion of artificial wetlands, such as ponds, tanks, and waterlogged areas, while natural wetlands, though smaller in number, remain crucial for biodiversity and ecological balance.
The state has 25,606 man-made wetlands covering 23,527.1 hectares, accounting for nearly 64% of total wetland area. Natural wetlands span 13,141.1 hectares, playing a key role in ecological stability. Tanks and ponds are the dominant wetland category, followed by rivers, streams, waterlogged areas, and aquaculture ponds, reflecting the diverse geography of Haryana, which ranges from northern hills to central plains and southern sand dunes.
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