International Cooperation
The Ministry is working in partnership with bilateral and multilateral organizations for improving wetlands management in India. International co-operation projects help strengthen capacities and institutional framework for wetlands’ management, monitoring as well as effective implementation of the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA).
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (BMU). This project is part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI). The German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) supports this initiative on the basis of a decision adopted by the German Bundestag.
Lead Executing Agency: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
Lead Implementing Agency: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Implementing Partner: Wetlands International South Asia (WISA)
Duration: September 2018-August 2023
BMU funding volume: € 4,350,000.00
OBJECTIVE
The main objective of the project is to strengthen the institutional framework and capacities for an ecosystem-based integrated management of wetlands of international importance (Ramsar sites) in India.
APPROACH
The project is implemented in close cooperation with the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
Four main output areas define the implementation approach of the project:
- Integrated management planning for 3-4 pilot Ramsar sites based on biodiversity, ecosystem services and climate change risks.
- Capacity development of national, state and site level stakeholders for integrated wetland management.
- Development of a wetland monitoring system, including an instrument to track management effectiveness.
- Implementation of ecosystem-based sustainable livelihood measures (green recovery post COVID-19)
Four Ramsar sites have been selected as pilot sites under the project: Pong Dam and Renuka Lake in Himachal Pradesh, Bhitarkanika Mangroves in Odisha, and the Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu. Chilika Development Authority has been identified as a resource centre for wetlands management.
PROGRESS
- An Inventory, Assessment and Monitoring Framework for Indian Wetlands for wetland managers has been developed which lists prioritised parameters based on their relevance in management, feasibility, and practicality of assessment. This was released at a side-event hosted by the project during CMS COP13, Gujarat.
- Illustrative factsheets on wetland values and benefits and threats to the wetland were prepared for the project Ramsar sites for communication and engagement with the local stakeholders. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), along with GIZ and other partners, produced a similar factsheets booklet for all the Ramsar sites of India; the first issue of which was released by MoEFCC during CMS COP13, 2020.
- An assessment of capacities and training needs to strengthen the institutional framework and for ecosystem-based integrated management of wetlands in India has been carried out.
- Site level assessments of hydro-ecology, livelihoods and climate vulnerability of the project sites have been conducted.
- Training courses and workshops have been conducted for Ramsar site managers, managers of the four pilot project locations and officials from State Wetland Authorities
- A training film has been developed capturing the annual waterbird census at Pong dam wetland, showcasing the step-by-step process of conducting this exercise and its contribution towards better management of the wetland.
- Under Corona Response Package: Livelihood-creating restoration measures for wetland ecosystems as well as the training of community members in alternative, sustainable livelihoods are taking place in Odisha (Bhitarkanika Mangroves) and Tamil Nadu (Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary).
- Wetlands of India Portal developed by the project was launched by the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Mr Bhupender Yadav on 2 October 2021, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. Development of self-paced and interactive learning courses on integrated wetlands management to be hosted on this portal is ongoing..
RELATED PUBLICATIONS & RESOURCES
An Inventory Assessment and Monitoring Framework for Indian Wetlands
Wetlands Factsheets – Renuka Ji Lake,Pong Dam, Bhitarkanika Mangroves and Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary
For a detailed overview refer to the project brochure
Link project page on GIZ Website
Link project page on International Climate Initiative Website
Commissioned by:Global Environment Facility (GEF)
National Executing Agency:Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
Implementing Agency:United Nations Environment Programme
Lead Technical Support Agency:Wetlands International South Asia
Duration:60 Months
OBJECTIVE
The project objective is to “enhance management effectiveness of wetlands of national and global significance and integration in developmental programming”.
APPROACH
The Integrated Management of Wetland Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Project (IMWBES) is a Full-Scale Project funded under the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The project has been approved under Star 5 allocations to India. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is the national executive agency of the project and its National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA) is complemented by the GEF investment. The UN Environment Programme is the designated GEF Agency for the project. The IMWBES project has a goal of “conservation and wise use of wetlands for sustained provision of their full range of ecosystem services and maintenance of biological diversity.” The project is organised into four components aimed at addressing the knowledge, capacity and institutional barriers limiting effectiveness of wetland management.
RELATED PUBLICATIONS & RESOURCES
Ramsar Convention: India became a party to the Convention on Wetlands, known as the Ramsar Convention on 1st February 1982. As a contracting party, India is committed to designate Ramsar sites and promote wise use of wetlands. Wetlands are the only ecosystem to have a dedicated multilateral environmental agreement of their own. The ‘Convention on Wetlands’, signed in Ramsar, Iran in 1971 is an intergovernmental treaty which provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. The Convention’s mission is ‘the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world’. Under the “three pillars” of the Convention, the Contracting Parties commit to:
- Work towards the wise use of all their wetlands.
- Designate suitable wetlands for the list of Wetlands of International Importance (the “Ramsar List”) and ensure their effective management.
- Co-operate internationally on trans-boundary wetlands, shared wetland systems and shared species.
For details visit : www.ramsar.org
