Other States - Rajasthan   

New laws to protect lakes

JAIPUR: A regulatory regime on wetlands in the country would be introduced soon to protect the lakes and other water bodies now facing various kinds of threats including extinction. India has as many as 27,000 natural and 65,000 manmade lakes but has no specific laws or regulations to monitor them.

“A regulatory framework for the upkeep and protection of lakes and water bodies is under preparation. It would soon be put up on the website,” Namonarain Meena, Minister of State for Environment and Forests (MoEF) said, talking to journalists here on Sunday, the eve of the 12th World Lake Conference. “The country’s water bodies are under serious threat due to various reasons including encroachments, pollution and over extraction of water,” he observed.

President Pratibha Patil will inaugurate the five-day lake conference being organised by MoEF under the auspices of the International Lake Environment Committee (ILEC), Japan with the support of the Government of Rajasthan. Policy makers, scientists, researchers and technologists from 60 countries are participating in the conference being held for the first time in South Asia.

Mr.Meena said the role of the Centre was limited in the conservation of wetlands as respective States control water bodies. Even within the States there was no single authority or department, which was responsible for the maintenance or protection of the lakes.

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