Navi Mumbai: The Union government has asked the Maharashtra government to urgently notify more than 23,000 wetlands across the state, following concerns raised by environmentalists about prolonged delays in granting them legal protection. The directive comes as part of a priority action request, along with a demand for an action taken report from the state authorities.

Ahead of World Water Day on March 22, environmental watchdog NatConnect Foundation highlighted the issue and appealed to the Prime Minister to focus on what it described as a crucial but often ignored aspect of water justice — the conservation and protection of wetlands that play a vital role in sustaining ecosystems, livelihoods, and long-term water security.

NatConnect submitted its representation through the PMO Public Grievance portal, pointing out the bureaucratic delay in officially notifying Maharashtra’s wetlands. These wetlands had already been identified and documented by the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

Within 48 hours of receiving the complaint, the MoEFCC directed the Maharashtra State Wetland Authority to examine the concerns and take necessary action on a priority basis. The ministry also instructed the authority to submit a detailed action taken report, with copies shared with both the complainant and the Union government.

Sagar Shakti director Nandakumar Pawar welcomed the Centre’s prompt response. He stated, “The Centre’s prompt response and hoped the state would cut bureaucratic delays and hasten the notification of wetlands so that these vital ecosystems receive legal protection.”

NatConnect Director B. N. Kumar emphasized the importance of wetlands in environmental protection. He explained, “The representation stressed that wetlands act as natural systems that recharge groundwater, regulate floods, improve water quality, and sustain biodiversity, yet many continue to remain outside the legal protection framework despite their critical role in water security and livelihoods.”

The ministry also reminded the state that wetland conservation is governed by the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, which assigns responsibility to state governments to identify, regulate, and safeguard wetlands.