The Meghalaya High Court has officially closed a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on the protection of wetlands in the state. This step was taken after reviewing a detailed report by the Chief Conservator of Forests, which confirmed that none of the wetlands in Meghalaya qualify as Ramsar sites.
A Supreme Court directive issued on December 11, 2024. The top court had asked all High Courts to verify and identify waterbodies that could qualify as Ramsar sites—internationally important wetlands that must be preserved under the Ramsar Convention.
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A division bench of Chief Justice I.P. Mukerji and Justice W. Diengdoh reviewed the matter. They took into account the submission made by the Advocate General, who explained that only certain waterbodies with specific features such as size, depth, unique characteristics, and natural habitat can be listed as Ramsar sites.
“The purpose of the Supreme Court order was to ensure that suitable orders were passed by a High Court upon the State for identification, preservation and maintenance of these waterbodies in accordance with the resolution taken in the Ramsar Convention,” stated the High Court in its order.
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The Advocate General submitted a report dated April 29, 2025, from the Chief Conservator of Forests, Department of Forests and Environment. The report mentioned that a wide variety of wetlands were examined by the Meghalaya State Wetland Authority. These included:
- 66 lakes and ponds
- 1 oxbow or cut-off meander
- 6 riverine wetlands
- 18 waterlogged bodies
- 100 rivers and streams
- 9 reservoirs or barrages
- 25 tanks and ponds
“Ground truthing of these wetlands had been completed. It is opined in the report by the Chief Conservator of Forests that none of the above wetlands qualify as a Ramsar site,” noted the Court.
The High Court accepted the report and acknowledged the efforts made by the State Government in completing the required ground-level assessment.
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While the original Supreme Court petition (Writ Petition (C) No. 304 of 2018) remains pending, the Meghalaya High Court has taken a further step. It directed the Registrar General to file an affidavit before the Supreme Court, summarizing all actions taken in compliance with its earlier order, including the inspection report and court proceedings. This affidavit is to be submitted only after receiving the necessary permission from the Supreme Court.
“Although there is no direction to this effect, we direct the Registrar General of this Court to affirm an affidavit in the said writ petition before the Supreme Court… The affidavit should only be filed after obtaining appropriate leave from the highest court,” the bench stated.
With this, the High Court concluded and disposed of the PIL.
Case Title: Registrar General, High Court of Meghalaya v. State of Meghalaya
Case No.: PIL No. 2 of 2025
