Environment News

10-km Mining Buffer for Wetlands

August 9 , 2026 9 hrs 0 min 50 0

The Supreme Court ruled that a 10-km mining buffer applies to all notified wetland reserves, even when a separate buffer has not been notified.
The ruling aims to protect ecologically fragile wetlands from the harmful effects of mining activities.
Wetlands are regulated under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
The State Wetland Authority (SWA) is responsible for the conservation and management of notified wetlands in each State/Union Territory (UT).
India is a party to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (1971), which promotes the conservation and wise use of wetlands.
As of 2026, India has 91 Ramsar Sites.