The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has written to the Uttar Pradesh government to take necessary action for conservation and management of Yamuna wetland in Greater Noida. A letter from the MoEF has been sent to the Principal Secretary, Department of Forests of the U.P. government.
The communication has been sent after environmental activist Vikrant Tongad sent a representation to the MoEF highlighting the construction of a road and other developmental activities in the area.
“The petitioner has requested for directing the state government for stopping the road under construction and not to acquire the wetland area for non-wetland use/ development. He has also desired for conservation of the wetland in terms of Wetland Conservation and Management Rules, 2010,” said the MoEF’s letter.
“It is, therefore, requested to take necessary action as deemed fit for conservation and management of the wetland. The factual status and the action taken may kindly be informed to the applicant under the intimation of this ministry,” it said.
The Yamuna wetland is situated in Greater Noida and is home to rare birds and also Sarus Crane, the state bird of UP. The numbers of crane is reducing day by day, especially in western UP.
Mr. Tongad said the wetland comes under the notified area of Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority. The master plan 2013 proposes development in this area and work is being carried out for a road that passes through the wetland.
