The Union government has begun revising the existing regulatory framework on wetlands across the country in a bid to enable a greater role and ownership by State governments in their management.
In a statement on the eve of World Wetlands Day, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said on Monday: “The Environment Ministry will continue to accord high priority to conservation and wise use of wetlands, and as water and land are State subjects, greater role and ownership by State governments in the management of wetlands will be ensured.”
He said the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA) provides the policy framework and support to the States.
“The State Wetland Authorities will be tasked with managing wetlands within their jurisdiction,” he said.
Mr. Javadekar said that in a strategic step towards increasing the capacity of wetland managers in integrated and holistic management, upgrading the existing Wetland Research and Training Centre of Chilika Development Authority at Barkul in Odisha into the National Capacity Development Centre for wetlands is also being envisaged by the Ministry.
The theme of World Wetlands Day this year is ‘Wetlands for our Future – Sustainable Livelihoods’.
