Guj HC notice to state govt on Nal Sarovar bird sanctuary

The Gujarat High Court today issued notice to the state government seeking to know what steps are being taken for preservation and protection of the Nal Sarovar bird sanctuary, a major wetland in the state.
The sanctuary, nearly 60 km from here, attracts thousands of migratory birds every year.
The division bench of Chief Justice R Subhash Reddy and Justice V M Pancholi issued notice to the state government returnable on June 12.
The bench issued notice while taking suo motu cognisance on the issue of protection of wetlands in the state on the direction by the Supreme Court to all high courts to monitor actions being taken by state governments for preservation and protection of wetlands situated in their respective states.

The apex court had also directed the central government to protect and preserve nearly 2 lakh wetlands in the country, in response to a PIL filed there seeking its directions to the governments to take concrete steps towards preservation and protection of the wetlands to fight shortage of drinking water.
The Gujarat government had filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court stating that it is taking care of the wetlands.
Nal Sarovar sanctuary is spread over 120-sq km of land and is located near Sanand village in Ahmedabad. It attracts migratory birds during winter.