M K BALAKRISHNAM Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard learned Counsel for the parties.

(2.) Pursuant to this Court s order dated 26th February, 2009, the Chief Secretaries, State of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh are personally present in the Court. Their personal presence is dispensed with unless directed in future.

(3.) The present Writ Petition under Article 32 of the Constitituion of India relates to conservation of wet lands which in our opinion would include ponds, tanks, canals, creeks, water channels, reservoirs, rivers, streams and lakes. Although, the writ petition as framed related to protection of wetlands in the country for preservation of the environment and maintaining the ecology, we have suo motu expanded its scope as mentioned below.