G.O. (Ms.) No. 55, Establishment of Tamil Nadu State Wetland Authority, 2016
The Tamil Nadu Government's Environment and Forests Department issued Government Order (Ms.) No. 55, Environment and Forests (FR5) Department, dated 23 May 2016, establishing the Tamil Nadu State Wetland Authority. The authority is responsible for identifying priority wetlands, approving management plans, coordinating protection and development measures, and overseeing district level wetland management committees across Tamil Nadu.
What the notification does
Government Order (Ms.) No. 55, Environment and Forests (FR5) Department, dated 23 May 2016, creates the Tamil Nadu State Wetland Authority. The notification was published in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette on 22 June 2016 and takes effect from the date of publication.
The Tamil Nadu Government formed the authority to provide guidance, regulation and oversight for the management and wise use of wetlands. The notification recognises that wetlands support drinking water and irrigation needs, groundwater, wastewater treatment, flood reduction, air quality and biodiversity, while facing pressure from development and pollution.
Powers and responsibilities
The Tamil Nadu State Wetland Authority is authorised to:
- Identify and select priority wetlands in Tamil Nadu using scientific and objective criteria, for consideration by the central wetland regulatory authority.
- Finalise and approve management plans for wetlands when submission to the central authority is required.
- Put regulatory and monitoring arrangements in place for the protection and development of all wetlands in Tamil Nadu.
- Make appropriate decisions on matters concerning proper wetland management and wise use.
- Establish district level wetland management committees in every district and guide and monitor their work.
Membership
The Tamil Nadu State Wetland Authority is chaired by the Chief Secretary to Government. The Chief Conservator of Forests serves as Member Secretary.
Its members include senior officials from land administration, finance, environment and forests, public works, rural development, agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, tourism, municipal administration, housing and urban development, revenue, highways and minor ports. It also includes representatives from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, Forest Department, Environment Department, Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Board, the Central Government and the Water Resources Department.
Three experts in fields connected with coastal, freshwater, marsh, wetland, ecosystem, hydrology and biodiversity matters are included. Their term is three years, and they are eligible for travel and daily allowances equivalent to those provided to first class committee members of the State Government.
Relevance to property owners and buyers
Government Order (Ms.) No. 55 does not list or identify any individual property as a wetland. However, owners, buyers and professionals dealing with land near wetlands may be affected by later identification, management, protection, development or monitoring decisions made through the Tamil Nadu State Wetland Authority and district level committees.
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 Government Order (Ms.) No. 55 declare my land to be a wetland?
No individual land parcel is identified in the notification. It authorises the Tamil Nadu State Wetland Authority to identify and select priority wetlands using scientific and objective criteria.
Who manages wetland matters at the state level?
The Tamil Nadu State Wetland Authority is chaired by the Chief Secretary to Government. The Chief Conservator of Forests is its Member Secretary.
Will there be a wetland committee in every district?
The Tamil Nadu State Wetland Authority is authorised to establish a district level wetland management committee in every district and to guide and monitor its activities.
When did the wetland authority notification take effect?
The notification states that it takes effect from its date of publication. It was published in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette on 22 June 2016.
