Regional Sahbhagita Mission to boost wetlands conservation in eastern states of India

NEW DELHI: A two-day regional workshop under the Sahbhagita Mission, focused on the conservation and management of wetlands, was held in Kolkata on Thursday and Friday. Organized by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) in collaboration with the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), the workshop aimed to foster a comprehensive “whole of society” and “whole of government” approach to preserving these vital ecosystems.
The workshop brought together diverse participants, including representatives from research institutes, the private sector, wetland conservation champions, and NGOs. In the spirit of inclusivity, the event facilitated discussions among stakeholders to address the challenges and successes of wetlands conservation across the eastern states of India.
Following the inaugural session, representatives from the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal presented overviews of their respective wetlands conservation efforts. They highlighted key achievements, Integrated Management Plans (IMPs) status for Ramsar Sites and other wetlands, progress under the Save Wetlands Campaign (SWC) 2.0, and efforts to engage Wetland Mitras in conservation initiatives. Each presentation was followed by a question-and-answer session, allowing for detailed discussions on critical issues related to wetlands management.
This workshop was the seventh in a series of regional workshops under the Sahbhagita Mission and the second of the FY 2024-25. Previous workshops have been held in Srinagar, Goa, Kochi, Imphal, Bhubaneswar, and Hyderabad.
The event was graced by the presence of several dignitaries, including Dr. Sujit Kumar Bajpayee, Joint Secretary, MoEF&CC; Dr. Rajesh Kumar, Bengal’s Environment Secretary; Dr. Dhriti Banerjee, Director, ZSI; Debal Roy, PCCF and CWLW, West Bengal; and Dr. K. Ganesh Kumar, Member Secretary, Bihar State Wetlands Authority. In their addresses, the dignitaries emphasized the ecological and cultural significance of wetlands in the eastern states and across the country. They called for collective action to address the threats facing these ecosystems. The attendees praised the recent Amrit Dharohar initiative by the MoEF&CC, focusing on livelihood and nature tourism development.
The workshop included several key sessions: a consultation on the proposed amendment of the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017; a demonstration of the online IMP submission process being developed through the Wetlands of India portal; a discussion on enhancing the participation of Wetland Mitras in conservation efforts; and a showcase of private sector involvement in landscape-level wetland management in Munger, Bihar.
The event concluded with the presentation of recommendations, which included organizing multi-stakeholder workshops under the Save Wetlands Campaign 2.0, expediting the ground-truthing and notification process for wetlands, clearly defining the pre-existing rights and privileges of communities living near wetlands, incorporating opportunities for green-skilling development into IMPs, and enhancing wetland education through learning centers. The participants also took a Wetland Pledge, reaffirming their commitment to safeguarding these essential ecosystems.