Meghalaya High Court directs identification of Ramsar sites

The Meghalaya High Court has instructed the state government to actively identify Ramsar sites, which are important wetlands. This decision came after a public interest litigation (PIL) hearing on Tuesday. The bench, led by Chief Justice IP Mukerji and Justice W Diengdoh, emphasized the need for collaboration between the state, the Meghalaya State Wetland Authority, and the Chief Conservator of Forests. The Supreme Court had raised concerns about the identification and preservation of Ramsar sites across India, ordering high courts to ensure these areas are properly maintained. The Meghalaya High Court acknowledged that the Supreme Court had issued its order on December 11, 2024, and called for swift action in the identification process. During the hearing, the court noted that a letter from the Meghalaya State Wetland Authority indicated there were currently no Ramsar sites officially recognized in the state. Senior government advocate NG Shylla admitted that the state may not have fully inspected all wetlands and requested more time to conduct a thorough identification of these sites.