Explore Business Standard
Wetland Protection Rules
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Sunday said India is committed to conserving and enriching nature, as reflected in the steady increase in Ramsar sites -- wetlands of international importance -- across the country. On the occasion of World Wetlands Day, Yadav credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's focus on wetland conservation for India's record 89 Ramsar sites, the highest in Asia and the third highest in the world. "With a consistent rise in Ramsar sites, India is showing the commitment to both conserve and enrich nature. Towards that end, PM Shri Narendra Modi ji has laid an unprecedented emphasis on preserving wetlands. It is because of this approach that our tally of Ramsar sites has reached 89," Yadav posted on X. Attending an event in Uttar Pradesh's Gonda to mark the World Wetlands Day, Union Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh said the district has more than 100 small and large wetlands and has the potential to be recognised as a wetlands ...
India has nominated Indore, Bhopal and Udaipur for the Wetland City Accreditation (WCA) scheme under the Ramsar Convention, which helps cities gain international recognition for their efforts to protect their natural or human-made wetlands. These are the first three Indian cities nominated for WCA based on the proposals received from state wetlands authorities in collaboration with municipal corporations. The wetlands situated in and around these cities provide a plethora of benefits to their citizens in terms of flood regulation, livelihood opportunities, and recreational and cultural values. Sirpur Wetland (Ramsar site in Indore), Yashwant Sagar (Ramsar site closer to Indore), Bhoj Wetland (Ramsar Site in Bhopal), and several wetlands in and around Udaipur are lifelines to these cities. "Delighted to announce the nomination of India's first three cities -- Indore, Bhopal, and Udaipur -- submitted to Ramsar Convention for its prestigious voluntary Wetland City Accreditation scheme
Delhi LG V K Saxena on Saturday directed officials to develop constructed wetland systems for natural treatment of sewage water over major drains in the national capital similar to that of the Neela Hauz biodiversity park. Saxena visited the Neela Hauz Bio-diversity park developed by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in south Delhi. Walking through the scenic "Constructed Wetland System (CWS)", the LG described it as an exemplary model of urban rejuvenation and appreciated the DDA for developing and maintaining the park, said officials. After witnessing the natural water treating system that includes in-situ remediation of sewage water through two oxidation and stabilisation ponds, filtration zone and aquatic plants without using any power, and the quality of treated water thereof, he instructed officials to explore the possibility of developing such systems over other major drains in the city, they added. Neela Hauz Biodiversity Park has been developed as the Neela Hauz Lake,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said it was a matter of pride that four more Indian sites have been added to the Ramsar list as wetlands of international importance. In a tweet, he said, "It is a matter of pride for us that four Indian sites get Ramsar recognition. This once again manifests India's centuries old ethos of preserving natural habitats, working towards flora and fauna protection, and building a greener planet." Two sites each from Haryana and Gujarat have been recognised as wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, named after the Iranian city where it was signed, taking the number of such sites in the country to 46, the Union Environment Ministry said on Saturday.