The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and the Government of Madhya Pradesh have organized a national event to celebrate World Wetlands Day (WWD) 2024.
The theme is “Wetlands and Human Wellbeing,” emphasizing the critical role wetlands play in enhancing human well-being. The event was inaugurated by Dr Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, and Dr Musonda Mumba, Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. The event was attended by cabinet ministers, senior officials from both the Indian and Madhya Pradesh governments.
Three publications were released during the event: revised guidelines for the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA), a Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool: A Practitioners’ Guide, and a Compendium on Phyto-diversity of Ramsar Sites in India.
The NPCA Guidelines 2024 provide specific guidance to State/UT Wetland Authorities, Ramsar Site managers, and knowledge partners on the regulatory framework of wetland management in India. The compendium includes a rapid assessment of plant diversity in and around all 75 Ramsar Sites of India under the Amrit Dharohar initiative of MoEF&CC.
Two brochures were also released, titled ‘Wetlands Conservation: Approach and Initiatives’ and ‘People’s Documentation of Biodiversity of 75 Ramsar Sites’. Educational videos were launched jointly by MoEF&CC and the Central Institute of Educational Technology (CIET), NCERT, to sensitize primary, middle, and senior level school students on the importance of wetlands conservation and management.
A film festival series titled ‘Wetlands for LiFE Forums & Film Festivals’ was launched to highlight the unique aspects and critical importance of wetlands. A training module for Nature-guides developed under the Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP) of MoEF&CC was also released.
The winners of the National Slogan writing, Painting, and photography competitions on the theme of “Wetlands and Human Wellbeing” were announced.
The World Wetlands Day (WWD) event in India was inaugurated by Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav and Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention, Dr Musonda Mumba. Over 25 exhibitors from various states, technical organizations, and government departments participated in the exhibition, which showcased wetland products, tourism, livelihoods, Mission LiFE, Green Skill Development Programme, and wetland conservation efforts in India by MoEF&CC and knowledge partners. Two selfie walls were erected to showcase the efforts of young minds as part of the Save Wetlands Campaign.
Dr Mohan Yadav highlighted the efforts taken by Madhya Pradesh for conservation of wetlands, including Sirpur Ramsar Site. He requested the Secretary General to consider Indore as the Wetland City. Dr Musonda Mumba, Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention, expressed her happiness to be in India for WWD 2024 and assured that more Ramsar Sites will be designated soon.
Dr Sujit Kumar Bajpayee, National Focal Point of the Ramsar Convention and Joint Secretary of MoEFCC, welcomed all participants and presented the progress made under the Save Wetlands Campaign and overall progress made by MoEF&CC in the field of wetlands conservation since 1985.
Dr. Jitendra Kumar, DG, Forest & Special Secretary, highlighted the significance of wetlands, noting that 10 major rivers originate from wetlands in the great Himalayas and 70% of rice production comes from water originating from these wetlands.
India has increased its tally of Ramsar sites to 80 on the eve of WWD 2024 by designating five more wetlands as Ramsar sites. This increase in the total area covered under Ramsar sites is an increase of 5,523.87 ha from the existing area. Tamil Nadu continues to have the maximum number of Ramsar Sites (16 sites) followed by Uttar Pradesh (10 sites).
About World Wetlands Day (WWD):
World Wetlands Day is observed on 2nd February every year worldwide to commemorate the signing of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance in 1971. India is a party to the Convention since 1982 and on the eve of WWD 2024, India has increased its tally of Ramsar sites (Wetlands of International Importance) to 80 by designating five more wetlands as Ramsar sites.
Three of these sites, Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve, Aghanashini Estuary and Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve are located in Karnataka whereas two, Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary and Longwood Shola Reserve Forest are in Tamil Nadu. With the addition of these five wetlands to List of Wetlands of International Importance, the total area covered under Ramsar sites is now 1.33 million ha which is an increase of 5,523.87 ha from existing area (of 1.327 million ha. Tamil Nadu continues to have maximum number of Ramsar Sites (16 sites) followed by Uttar Pradesh (10 sites).
About Amrit Dharohar initiative:
Amrit Dharohar initiative, part of the 2023-24 budget announcement, was launched by MoEF&CC during June 2023 to promote unique conservation values of the Ramsar Sites in the country while generating employment opportunities and supporting local livelihoods. This initiative is to be implemented over three years in convergence with various Central Government ministries and agencies, State Wetland Authorities, and a network of formal and informal institutions and individuals, working together for a common cause.
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