NPCA to implement conservation and management of wetlands

Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) provided financial assistance to the States/Union Territories under the National Wetlands Conservation Programme (NWCP) and National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) for conservation and management of identified wetlands and lakes respectively in the country till the year 2012-13. In order to have better synergy and to avoid overlap, both the schemes of NWCP & NLCP have been merged into a centrally sponsored scheme namely ‘National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems’ (NPCA) in February, 2013. Accordingly, MoEF&CC is currently implementing NPCA scheme for conservation and management of wetlands (includes lakes) in the country on cost sharing basis between Central Government and respective State Governments. The State/UT-wise detail of funds allocated as central share during last 3 years is given as Annexure-1.

As per the “National Wetland Decadal Change Atlas, 2017 published by Space Applications Centre- ISRO Ahmedabad, a total of 2,31,195 wetlands (at 1:50000 scales and area >= 2.25 ha) have been mapped in the Country. The total wetland area estimated is 15.98 million hectare (mha) including rivers and excluding paddy field areas that is around 4.86% of the geographic area of the country. The State/UT-wise wetland distribution is at Annexure-2.

MoEF&CC has notified Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 as regulatory framework for conservation and management of wetlands across the country to conserve, manage and maintain the ecological character of the wetlands without restricting the wise use. Vide these Rules, inter-alia, the State/UT Wetland Authorities have been constituted and powers for identification and notification of wetlands have been delegated to the State Governments and UT Administrations.

MoEF&CC, by organizing regional workshops and number of programmes on the occasion of World Wetlands Day each year, creates awareness among the wetland managers, state governments officials, local communities regarding the importance of wetlands conservation and policy and regulatory framework available for conservation of wetlands.

Annexure-1

Annexure-1 referred to in reply to part (a) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Q. No. 4203 to be answered on Thursday, the 27^th March, 2023 on ‘National Wetland Conservation Programme’

(Amount in Rs Crores)

Annexure-2

Annexure-2 referred to in reply to part (b) &(c) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Q. No. 4203 to be answered on Thursday, the 27^th March, 2023 on ‘National Wetland Conservation Programme’

State-wise wetland distribution in India