(1) In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires,-
(a) "Act" means the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986;
(b) "Authority" means the State Wetlands Authority or Union Territory Wetlands Authority, as the case may be;
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(c) "Committee" means the National Wetlands Committee referred to in rule 6;
(d) “ecological character” means the sum of ecosystem components, processes and services that characterise the wetlands;
(e) “integrated management plan” means a document which describes strategies and actions for achieving wise use of the wetland and the plan shall include objectives of site management; management actions required to achieve the objectives; factors that affect, or may affect, the various site features; monitoring requirements for detecting changes in ecological character and for measuring the effectiveness of management; and resources for management implementation;
(f) "Ramsar Convention" means the Convention on Wetlands signed at Ramsar, Iran in 1971;
(g) “wetland" means an area of marsh, fen, peatland or water; whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six meters, but does not include river channels, paddy fields, human-made water bodies/tanks specifically constructed for drinking water purposes and structures specifically constructed for aquaculture, salt production, recreation and irrigation purposes;
(h) “wetlands complexes" means two or more ecologically and hydrologically contiguous wetlands and may include their connecting channels/ducts;
(i) “wise use of wetlands” means maintenance of their ecological character, achieved through implementation of ecosystem approach within the context of sustainable development;
(j) “zone of influence” means that part of the catchment area of the wetland or wetland complex, developmental activities in which induce adverse changes in ecosystem structure, and ecosystem services.
(2) The words and expressions used in these rules and not defined, but defined in the Act, shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Act.