Which Indian state became the first to notify all its wetlands under the Wetlands Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 by mid-2025?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The correct answer is option 2 i.e. Odisha.
Odisha made history by becoming the first state in India to notify all its identified wetlands under the 2017 Wetlands Rules. By early 2026, the state government, in collaboration with Wetlands International South Asia, completed the notification for over 2,900 wetlands. This legal framework provides robust protection against encroachment, waste dumping, and discharge of untreated sewage. Notable sites included in this initiative are the famous Chilika Lake and Bhitarkanika, ensuring long-term ecological health and biodiversity conservation for the region.