Fri. Mar 29th, 2024
Environment minister launches ‘Save Wetlands Campaign’ as a “whole of society” approach for wetlands conservation

Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav launched the ‘Save Wetlands Campaign’ during World Wetlands Day celebrations in Goa. This campaign is structured on a “whole of society” approach for wetlands conservation, enabling affirmative actions for wetlands conservation at all levels of the society and involving all strata of the society. This campaign over next one year will involve raising awareness of the importance of wetlands, expanding the reach of wetland mitras, and forming citizen partnerships for wetlands conservation.

The “India’s 75 Amrit Dharohar- India’s Ramsar Sites Factbook” and “Managing Climate Risks in Wetlands – A Practitioner’s Guide” booklets were also released on this occasion. The factbook is a comprehensive collection of data on our 75 Ramsar Sites, including information on their values, risks they are exposed to, and management practices. The Practitioner’s Guide on Climate Risk Assessment offers step-by-step instructions for evaluating the climate risks specific to a given site and incorporating adaptation and mitigation measures into the wetland management plan.

In his address, the Union Minister highlighted the critical role played by the wetland ecosystem in securing ecological, economic and climate security. He also mentioned various green initiatives taken by the Government in the budget 2023 including Amrit Dharohar, MISHTI, PM PRANAM, Green credit and Green Growth aligned with Mission LiFE.

Yadav also said that PM Modi in his Mann ki Baat of January 29, 2023 highlighted the invaluable role played by local communities in conservation of Ramsar Sites.

Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Savant congratulated the Government of India for the achievement of 75 Ramsar Sites in the 75th year of independence. He also thanked the Government of India for supporting the State in designation of Nanda Lake as a Ramsar site and he also thanked for giving Goa the opportunity to organise the event.

Why do we celebrate World Wetlands Day?

Every year on February 2nd, people around the world celebrate World Wetlands Day to remember the year the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance was signed. Since 1982, India has been a party to the Convention and has designated 75 wetlands in 23 states and union territories as Ramsar sites.

The 2023 theme for World Wetlands Day is ‘Wetland Restoration’  which highlights the critical need to give wetland restoration first priority. It is an appeal to the next generation to take proactive measures protecting wetlands by devoting resources-financial, human, and political-to prevent their extinction and revitalizing and restoring those that have already been degraded.

India has the largest network of Ramsar Sites in Asia, making these sites a critical ecological network for the conservation of global biological diversity and supporting human well-being.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) launched Mission Sahbhagita in 2022 with a mission of ‘a healthy and effectively managed network of 75 wetlands of national and international significance which support water and food security; buffer from floods, droughts, cyclones and other extreme events; employment generation; conservation of species of local, national and international significance; climate change mitigation and adaptation actions; and recognition, conservation and celebration of cultural heritage.’

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