None of the water bodies in Meghalaya qualifies as Ramsar sites

Shillong, April 30 -- Meghalaya has 225 different types of water bodies, but none qualifies as Ramsar sites, State Chief Conservator of Forests told the High Court.

"Meghalaya's wetlands comprises 66 lakes and ponds, 1 oxbow-cut-off meander, 6 riverine wetlands, 18 waterlogged areas, 100 rivers and streams, 9 reservoirs and barrages, and 25 tanks and ponds," the Chief Conservator of Forest said.

Hearing a PIL on identification of Ramsar sites in Meghalaya, the division bench of the High court comprising Chief Justice Indra Prasanna Mukerji and Justice Wanlura Diengdoh, said, "Ground truthing of these wetlands has been completed. It is opined in the report by the Chief Conservator of Forests of the State government that none of the abo...