10 km no-go mining buffer zone (Environment)
10 km no-go mining buffer zone (Environment)
Why In News:
The Supreme Court stated that the 10 km mining restriction implemented around the Asan Wetland Conservation Reserve in Uttarakhand applies uniformly to all wetland conservation reserves nationwide to maintain ecological parity.
Source: The Hindu, Page 12, 5 August 2026, '10-kmn mining buffer applies to all wetland reserves: SC'
What are Wetlands and Why They Matter
Definition: According to Ramsar convention, wetlands are areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with static or flowing water that is fresh, brackish, or saline.
Ecological role: Wetlands act as natural water purifiers, groundwater recharge zones, flood buffers, and carbon sinks, and support high biodiversity, including migratory birds.
Ramsar Convention, 1971: An intergovernmental treaty on wetland conservation; India is a signatory and holds the largest network of Ramsar sites in South Asia.
Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017: The domestic legal framework administered by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) that regulates activities in and around notified wetlands.
The 10 km Mining Buffer Rule
Origin: The buffer rule traces to earlier Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal directions restricting mining within 10 km of the boundary of national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and ecologically sensitive zones.
Extension to wetlands: The Court's latest ruling clarifies that this 10 km no-mining buffer must also apply around all officially notified wetland reserves, not only around forest protected areas.
Rationale: Mining activity close to wetlands can alter hydrology, cause siltation, and introduce heavy metal contamination, degrading habitat quality.
Key Facts for Prelims
Coverage: Wetlands cover about 4.6% of India's total geographical area, as per the National Wetland Inventory and Assessment.
Chilika Lake, Odisha: The first Ramsar site in India to be removed from the Montreux Record of degraded wetlands after successful restoration.
State Wetlands Authorities: Responsible for identifying and notifying wetlands within their respective jurisdictions.