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UPSC GS Paper – 3: Q17. Comment on the National Wetland Conservation Programme initiated by the Government of India and name a few India’s wetlands of international importance included in the Ramsar Sites.

Gaurav Soni September 30, 2023 04:37 4530 0

Daily Answer Writing DAILY UPSC ANSWER WRITTING 2023 General Studies-III

UPSC GS Paper – 3: Q17. Comment on the National Wetland Conservation Programme initiated by the Government of India and name a few India’s wetlands of international importance included in the Ramsar Sites.

Q17. Comment on the National Wetland Conservation Programme initiated by the Government of India and name a few India’s wetlands of international importance included in the Ramsar Sites.

How to approach the question

Introduction

●      Write about the National Wetland Conservation Programme briefly

Body

●      Write key features of the National Wetland Conservation Programme initiated by the Government of India

●      Write India’s wetlands of international importance included in the Ramsar Sites

●      Write issues faced in wetlands conservation in India

●      Write suitable way ahead in this regard

Conclusion

●      Give appropriate conclusion in this regard

 

Introduction

The National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP) initiated by the Government of India aims to conserve and manage the country’s wetlands, vital ecosystems that provide numerous ecological services. This program has been pivotal in protecting wetlands, some of which are also recognized as Ramsar Sites of international importance.

Body

Key Features of the National Wetland Conservation Programme:

  • Identification and Classification: The program undertakes a systematic survey of wetlands across India. For instance, Chilika Lake in Odisha was identified as a Ramsar site owing to its ecological importance.
  • Financial Assistance: The Central and state governments jointly fund conservation activities. Projects like the rejuvenation of Wular Lake in Jammu and Kashmir have been made possible due to financial assistance from both levels of government.
  • Capacity Building: Training and workshops are often conducted to skill the stakeholders. For example, fishermen around Pulicat Lake have been trained in sustainable fishing techniques.
  • Research and Development: Research grants are given for studies on wetland ecology. Research on the unique flora and fauna of Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan has significantly contributed to avian science.
  • Awareness Programs: Public awareness campaigns like “Wetlands for All” have been critical. World Wetlands Day is celebrated with educational activities at Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest.
  • Biodiversity Conservation: Measures are taken to conserve the diverse life forms inhabiting the wetlands. The Asan Conservation Reserve in Uttarakhand is a prime example, where efforts to conserve local bird species have been successful.
  • Monitoring and Assessment: Technology like satellite imagery is used for monitoring wetlands. For example, the health of Vembanad Kol Wetland in Kerala is periodically assessed using remote sensing data.
  • Policy Framework: The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules were formulated to govern the use and conservation of wetlands. For example, these rules have been employed to regulate activities around the Bhitarkanika Mangroves in Odisha.

 India’s Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites):

  • Sundarbans: This is the world’s largest mangrove forest, spanning the delta region of the Padma, Meghna, and Brahmaputra River basins in West Bengal. Rich in biodiversity, Sundarbans is home to the famous Royal Bengal Tigers and is crucial for maintaining the region’s ecological balance.
  • Chilika Lake: Located in Odisha, it is Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon. The lake serves as a temporary home to numerous migratory birds and supports local fishing communities. Its rich biodiversity makes it an area of international importance.
  • Keoladeo National Park: Situated in Rajasthan, it is a world-renowned bird sanctuary. It sees thousands of migratory birds during the winter season, including the Siberian crane. The park is an essential spot for avian research and supports a vast range of flora and fauna.
  • Loktak Lake: Situated in Manipur and it is the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India. Famous for its phumdis (floating islands), it hosts the Keibul Lamjao, the world’s only floating national park. The lake is vital for regional hydroelectricity generation, water supply, and biodiversity.

Issues Faced in Wetlands Conservation:

  •  Understanding Context:
    1.  Nearly two of every five wetlands in India have lost their natural existence in the last 30 years while 40%of water bodies have lost quality for survival of the aquatic animals, according to estimates by Wetlands International (WI)

Issues:

  • Encroachment: In places like Bellandur Lake in Bangalore, unchecked urbanization and illegal dumping have significantly reduced the wetland’s size and capacity. Lake has been reduced to a third of its original size due to unauthorized constructions and waste dumping.
  • Pollution: The Ganges River Basin, a significant wetland area, has faced extensive pollution from industrial effluents and untreated sewage. This has resulted in severe water quality degradation, affecting aquatic life and making the water unsafe for human use.
  • Uncontrolled Tourism: Dal Lake in Kashmir is an example where tourism has negatively impacted the wetland. Tourists leaving behind plastic waste and the use of motorized boats have contributed to pollution, thereby disturbing the lake’s natural ecosystem.
  • Overfishing: Loktak Lake in Manipur, a Ramsar site, faces extreme overfishing, leading to a decline in fish stocks. Overfishing threatens the balance of the aquatic ecosystem and adversely impacts the livelihoods of local communities.
  • Climate Change: Chilika Lake in Odisha is experiencing alterations in its ecosystem due to climate change. Rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns have disrupted migratory bird routes and affected fish breeding cycles.
  • Lack of Awareness: Despite its importance as a Ramsar site, Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan still faces local activities detrimental to its habitat. This is largely because the local communities are not fully aware of its ecological significance.
  • Weak Enforcement: In Vembanad Lake, Kerala, there is poor implementation of existing laws and regulations, leading to illegal sand mining and land reclamation activities that are devastating for the wetland.
  • Lack of Coordination: The Sundarbans, shared by India and Bangladesh, suffer from fragmented conservation efforts due to a lack of coordination between the central and state governments and international entities.
  • Funding Constraints: East Kolkata Wetlands, a Ramsar site, suffers from a shortage of funds allocated for conservation. Lack of funding makes it difficult to carry out effective management and restoration activities.

Way Ahead:

  • Community Involvement: Implement programs like “Adopt a Wetland,” where local businesses or schools take on the responsibility for monitoring and maintaining a local wetland, similar to the successful community-managed fishery programs at Chilika Lake.
  • Strengthen Laws: Introduce new technologies like blockchain to track the source of pollutants entering the wetlands. This could enable authorities to penalize rule-breakers more effectively and ensure compliance with environmental standards.
  • Sustainable Practices: Develop an app for fishermen, informing them about overfished areas and suggesting sustainable fishing zones. This could benefit ecosystems like those in Loktak Lake, where overfishing is a concern.
  • Monitoring: Utilize Artificial Intelligence-enabled drones equipped with sensors to monitor the water quality, vegetation, and illegal activities like poaching in wetlands such as the Keoladeo National Park.
  • Funding: Introduce a “Wetland Conservation Tax” on tourism activities or industries that are closely linked to wetlands. This dedicated fund could be used for restoration and maintenance purposes.
  • Research: Develop floating research labs on large wetlands like Vembanad Lake to study wetland ecology, water quality, and other environmental parameters in real-time.
  • International Collaboration: Establish international “Wetland Exchange Programs” where experts from Ramsar sites in other countries visit India and vice versa, to share best practices and technologies.
  • Policy Review: Create a “Wetland Dashboard” accessible to the public, showing real-time data on the health of various wetlands, efforts made for their conservation, and areas that need immediate attention. This would keep policymakers accountable and make policy reviews data-driven.

Conclusion

The National Wetland Conservation Programme serves as a cornerstone in India’s efforts to conserve these vital ecosystems. Despite the challenges faced, implementing these strategies which involves legislative changes, community participation, and technological innovations will ensure that India’s wetlands remain an integral part of its rich ecological heritage.

 

 

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