Wetland conservation in MP limited by low notification of wetlands

Subject : Environment

Section: Ecosystem

Concept :

The State Wetland Authority had sent a proposal to the state government for notification of six lakes under Wetland Rules 2017 about a year ago.
Additionally, the state has sent a list of as many as 120 wetlands in Madhya Pradesh to the union government to be included in the rejuvenation program for conservation under National Program for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-system (NPCA).
The intention was to notify these lakes which would facilitate conservation and their names could be suggested for Ramsar sites designation in the next nomination round.
While notification is an independent process from the Ramsar designation, it is an important step for the continued conservation of designated Ramsar sites.
Notification of wetlands, by the state government, is the most critical move towards conservation as it draws a map demarcating the boundaries of the wetlands besides identifying its ‘zone of influence,’ which is mandatory under Wetland Rules 2017.

Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017

Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017 have enhanced the focus of management of wetlands from a central authority to state bodies.
The rules provide for an advisory role for the National Wetland Committee, to guide the state bodies on the integrated management of wetlands based on wise‐use principle and review the progress of integrated management of Ramsar Convention sites among other roles.
The new Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017 rules stipulate setting up of a State Wetlands Authority in each State and union territories that will be headed by the State’s environment minister and include a range of government officials.
They will also include one expert each in the fields of wetland ecology, hydrology, fisheries, landscape planning and socioeconomics to be nominated by the state government.
It provides guidance on various aspects like identifying wetlands for notification under the Rules, delineating wetlands, wetland complexes and zones of influence, preparation of brief Document, developing a list of activities to be regulated and permitted, constitution and operational matters of the Wetlands Authorities among other issues.
The guidelines recommended that the management of each notified wetland is guided by an “integrated management plan” which details strategies and actions for achieving “wise use” of the wetland and includes objectives of site management.

Zone of influence in wetlands

The zone of influence of a wetland is an area, in which developmental activities are likely to induce adverse changes in wetland structure and functioning.
It is, therefore, important to align developmental planning within the zone of influence with wetland biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Prohibited activities

The 2017 rules had listed out activities prohibited within notified wetlands, such as
setting up of any industry and expansion of existing industries,
manufacture or handling or storage or disposal of construction and demolition waste,
solid waste dumping,
discharge of untreated wastes and effluents from industries, cities, towns, villages and other human settlements.

Regulated Activities

Also based on site-specific conditions, state governments/union territories may consider expanding the list of prohibited activities for a notified wetland, adding that the activities within a notified wetland and its zone of influence, which when contained within a specific threshold or area, are not likely to induce an adverse change in wetlands ecological character and it can be placed under the ‘regulated’ category.
It is to be decided on a case to case basis for every wetlands and its zone of influence.
For instance, activities like subsistence level biomass harvesting, sustainable culture fisheries practices and plying of non-motorised boats, when regulated, are not likely to induce an adverse change in wetlands.

National Program for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-system (NPCA).

The NPCA is a conservation programme for both wetlands and lakes.
The National Wetlands Conservation Programmehas been in operation since 1986.
Since 2013, the programme is known as National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems.
It is a Centrally-sponsored scheme, currently being implemented by the MoEFCC, and was formulated by merging the National Lake Conservation Plan and the National Wetlands Conservation Programme.
Under the NPCA scheme, the central assistance is based on proposals received from state governments, in conformity with the guidelines and budget availability.
The scheme covers various activities such as interception, diversion and treatment of wastewater, shoreline protection, lakefront development, in-situ cleaning, etc.
Aim & Objectives
It aims at holistic conservation and restoration of lakes & wetlands for achieving desired water quality enhancement besides improvement in biodiversity and ecosystem through an integrated and multidisciplinary approach with a common regulatory framework.
The scheme would contribute to the reduction of pollution loads and improvement in biodiversity as also the goods and services provided by these water bodies to the stakeholders.

Policy for wetland protection in India

On an international level, India is party to the Convention on Wetlands, called the Ramsar Convention, an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
At national level, wetlands in the country are protected by the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
The National Environment Policy, 2006 recognizes the ecosystem services provided by wetlands and emphasises the need to set up a regulatory mechanism for all wetlands so as to maintain their ecological character, and ultimately support their integrated management.
In specific to wetlands, the environment ministry has come out with the wetland (conservation and management) rules 2017 under the EPA, 1986.