Constitution of Tamil Nadu State Wetland Authority
The Environment and Forests Department issued G.O. Ms. No. 55, Environment and Forests (FR.V), dated 23rd May 2016, constituting the Tamil Nadu State Wetland Authority to guide, advise, monitor and regulate wetland management across Tamil Nadu. Published in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette on 15th June 2016, the notification authorises the Authority to approve wetland management plans, establish regulatory and monitoring protocols, and oversee district level wetland committees.
What the notification does
The Environment and Forests Department notification under G.O. Ms. No. 55, Environment and Forests (FR.V), dated 23rd May 2016, creates the Tamil Nadu State Wetland Authority. The notification came into force on its publication in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette on 15th June 2016.
The Authority was created because development pressure and pollution were affecting the survival of wetlands. Its purpose is to support the conservation, protection and wise use of wetlands through an integrated State level system.
Responsibilities of the Authority
The Tamil Nadu State Wetland Authority is empowered to:
- Identify and select priority wetlands using scientific and objective criteria for consideration by the Central Wetlands Regulatory Authority.
- Finalise and approve the management plan of any wetland in Tamil Nadu for submission to the Central Wetlands Regulatory Authority when required.
- Put regulatory and monitoring protocols in place for conservation and developmental activities in all wetlands in Tamil Nadu.
- Take appropriate decisions concerning the wise use and management of wetlands.
- Guide and monitor the creation and functioning of District Level Wetland Management Committees in every district.
Composition
The Tamil Nadu State Wetland Authority is chaired by the Chief Secretary to the Government. Its members include senior officials from land administration, environment and forests, public works, rural development, agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, tourism, municipal administration, housing and urban development, revenue, highways, pollution control, biodiversity and other relevant bodies.
The Authority also includes three experts in coastal marine, fresh water, marsh, mangroves, ecosystem, hydrology and biodiversity fields. The Chief Conservator of Forests serves as Member Secretary. Expert members have a tenure of three years and may receive travelling and dearness allowances equivalent to members of a first class committee of the State Government.
Relevance to land and development
The notification applies to wetland management throughout Tamil Nadu. A buyer, owner or developer dealing with land in or connected to a wetland may be affected by management plans, regulatory protocols or monitoring decisions made by the Tamil Nadu State Wetland Authority. The notification itself does not list individual wetland parcels or provide property specific development conditions.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Does this notification identify which land parcels are wetlands?
No. The notification creates the Tamil Nadu State Wetland Authority and gives it responsibility for identifying and selecting priority wetlands, but it does not list individual land parcels.
Can the Tamil Nadu State Wetland Authority approve wetland management plans?
Yes. It may finalise and approve the management plan of any wetland in Tamil Nadu for submission to the Central Wetlands Regulatory Authority when required.
Can the Authority regulate development activity in wetlands?
The Tamil Nadu State Wetland Authority is authorised to establish regulatory and monitoring protocols for conservation and developmental activities in all wetlands in Tamil Nadu.
Will every district have a wetland management committee?
The Tamil Nadu State Wetland Authority is authorised to guide and monitor the constitution and functioning of District Level Wetland Management Committees in all districts of Tamil Nadu.
