The NGT directed that the issue of protection of wetlands in Goa be put up before the court, September 5, 2023. The matter was filed before the court in the year 2017.

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The bench of Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh noted that the prayers made in the application are to the effect that a direction be issued to Goa State Wetlands Authority (GSWA) to conduct survey to identify the wetlands and declare all lakes, reservoirs as well as marsh, peatland as a wetland sites under Wetland Rules under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.

The applicants (15 in number) had also sought order for removal of the encroachments by demolishing illegal construction and development activities.