14th Jan, 2016
World Wetlands Day
“Wetlands for our Future – Sustainable Livelihoods” is this Year’s Theme
Based on the Ramsar convention, signed in 1971. It is for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands, recognizing the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands and their economic, cultural, scientific, and recreational value.
Ramsar is a city in Iran. Wetlands help recharge groundwater aquifers, cleanse polluted waters, protect shorelines and act as sponges to mitigate floods. The extensive food chain and biological diversity in wetlands make them ‘biological supermarkets’.
The theme highlights the value of wetlands in securing local livelihoods through activities as fishing, rice farming, tourism, and water provision.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change will continue to accord high priority to conservation and wise use of wetlands in the country.
The National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA) provides the policy framework and support to State Governments for integrated management of wetlands.
The National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems:
It is combination of two schemes, National Wetlands Conservation Programme (NWCP) and the National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP).
Aim is for holistic conservation and restoration of lakes and wetlands for achieving desired water quality enhancement besides improvement in biodiversity and ecosystem through an integrated and multidisciplinary approach with a common regulatory framework.
