India's wetlands idea makes a splash in Zimbabwe
Wetlands are special places where many birds, animals, and plants live. At the Ramsar Convention, 172 contracting parties decided to support India's idea to protect wetlands by encouraging everyone to live in ways that help nature and use resources wisely.
The plan asks people and governments to make choices that are good for the planet—such as saving water and reducing waste. It also suggests working together and spreading awareness so more people understand why wetlands are important. The Environment Minister of India, Bhupender Yadav, said that millions of people in India are already helping to protect wetlands and that the country has mapped and marked many wetlands for better care.
The Ramsar Convention is an international promise made by many countries to look after wetlands. India's new plan will help countries work together so wetlands can stay healthy for people, animals, and the planet.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
750-acre forest to breathe life into Gurgaon air
Gurgaon: In a move to combat urban environmental challenges, the city is set to host one of NCR's largest urban forest projects. The 750-acre 'Matri Van' along Gurgaon-Faridabad Road will serve as a green buffer, combining ecological conservation with public recreation spaces. The project, launched under the govt's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative, will span five villages — Chakkarpur, Haiderpur Viran, Wazirabad, Ghata, and Nathupur. It will extend from Khushboo Chowk to Ghat Chowk, connecting with the existing Aravali Biodiversity Park and Nagar Van on the Chakkarpur hill belt. Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav and the minister for housing and urban affairs Manohar Lal Khattar inaugurated the project in Sector 54 on Saturday. The forest will be developed through partnerships between CSR entities, RWAs, NGOs, multinationals, and govt bodies. While plantation of saplings will start within a week, it will continue for the next five years. The result, according to officials, will be visible in a week. You Can Also Check: Gurgaon AQI | Weather in Gurgaon | Bank Holidays in Gurgaon | Public Holidays in Gurgaon The project, officials said, will focus on native flora. The plantation drive will feature indigenous species like bargad, peepal, gullar, and Aravali-specific trees such as dhauk, kullu, and khairi. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Indonesia: New Container Houses (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search ads Search Now Undo Themed spaces, including Bodhi Vatika, Medicinal Plant Grove, and a butterfly park, will add to the forest's diversity. "We're not just planting saplings. We're dedicating an entire forest to mothers," said Yadav, adding that invasive Prosopis juliflora shrubs would be removed to revive degraded forest patches. The project's design will incorporate sustainable features like water conservation through recycling and misting systems. Public amenities will include walking tracks, yoga zones, and forest interpretation signage, with 10 thatched huts planned as interim rest points. An Aravalli Arboretum — a botanical garden-like zone focused on showcasing native flora — will serve as an educational zone, featuring specialised corners for research and learning. "Cities like Gurgaon are choking on concrete. Urban forests such as 'Matri Van' don't just improve air quality and water retention — they also provide people with access to nature," said Anand Mohan Sharan, additional chief secretary of environment, Haryana. During the inauguration, minister Khattar highlighted that urban forests helped cool city temperatures, reduce air pollutants, support groundwater recharge, and served as carbon sinks. "India has committed to creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5–3 billion tonnes of CO₂, equivalent by 2030 through afforestation. Projects like Matri Van are expected to play a significant role in achieving that target," he added. The project's funding combines multiple sources, including Rs 7.5 crore from development and CSR partners, Rs 2.5 crore from govt agencies, and additional allocations from various schemes, totalling Rs 14.7 crore. An extra Rs 10 crore could be sought from central govt schemes, officials suggested. "The plantation drive will be phased. The company assigned the project will have to maintain it for three years," said Subhash Yadav, the chief conservator of forests in South Haryana. Once complete, 'Matri Van' will be one of the largest consolidated green zones of Delhi-NCR, designed not only for ecological restoration but also as a public space for learning, leisure, and climate resilience. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Deccan Herald
2 days ago
- Deccan Herald
India's wetlands idea makes a splash in Zimbabwe
India's plan for saving wetlands—like lakes, ponds, and marshes—was agreed upon by countries from all over the world at a major meeting in Zimbabwe. Wetlands are special places where many birds, animals, and plants live. At the Ramsar Convention, 172 contracting parties decided to support India's idea to protect wetlands by encouraging everyone to live in ways that help nature and use resources wisely. The plan asks people and governments to make choices that are good for the planet—such as saving water and reducing waste. It also suggests working together and spreading awareness so more people understand why wetlands are important. The Environment Minister of India, Bhupender Yadav, said that millions of people in India are already helping to protect wetlands and that the country has mapped and marked many wetlands for better care. The Ramsar Convention is an international promise made by many countries to look after wetlands. India's new plan will help countries work together so wetlands can stay healthy for people, animals, and the planet.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Countries adopt India's wetland use resolution at Ramsar Cop15
Countries party to the Ramsar convention have adopted India's resolution on 'Promoting Sustainable Lifestyles for the wise use of Wetlands' at Ramsar COP15 in Zimbabwe on Wednesday, union environment minister Bhupender Yadav has said. Countries adopt India's wetland use resolution at Ramsar Cop15 'Taking the message of PM Shri @narendramodiji on #MissionLiFE forward, India's Resolution on 'Promoting Sustainable Lifestyles for the wise use of Wetlands' has been adopted at Ramsar CoP15 in Zimbabwe today. The maiden resolution of India received overwhelming support from Contracting Parties and International Organization Partners. 172 Countries and 6 International Organization Partners have thus joined hands in adopting the ethos of Mission LiFE in the conservation of their Wetlands,' he wrote on X. On July 24, Yadav who was heading the Indian delegation at COP15 said in his address that India has 91 Ramsar Sites (1.36 million ha), which is the largest network in Asia and third largest globally. 'Over the past decade, we have expanded this network by 250 percent. For the first time, two Indian cities—Udaipur and Indore—have been accredited as Wetland Cities, showing our commitment to urban wetlands,' he said during his intervention on 'Strengthening Policy and Legal Frameworks by Mainstreaming Wetlands Conservation' at the High Level Ministerial Segment of COP15. The Ramsar COP15 brings together 172 Contracting Parties, International Organisation Partners, scientific institutions, civil society, and community representatives to agree on work programme and budgetary arrangements for the next triennium and consider guidance on a range of ongoing and emerging environmental issues. Last year, the environment ministry released 'Wetland Wise Use' --an implementation framework. Despite the centrality of the wise-use concept, vagueness remains in the meaning of the wise use term and its application in wetland management, the document acknowledged. The wetland wise use concept focuses on ecological character; ecosystem approach and sustainable development. Ecosystem components and processes enable the wetland to provide ecosystem services. For example, wetland fisheries are supported by the ability of the ecosystem to serve as habitats for fish and human enterprise in terms of boats, nets, indigenous knowledge related to fishing, etc or support a diverse bird population. Wise use also recognises that management of wetlands should be decentralised. It also states that management should consider the views, values, and interests of local communities and other indigenous people, identifying them as essential stakeholders. The wetlands shall be conserved and managed in accordance with the principle of 'wise use' as determined by the Wetlands Authority, the wetland rules state adding that a number of activities are prohibited in notified wetlands including: conversion for non-wetland uses including encroachment of any kind; setting up of any industry and expansion of existing industries; disposal of construction and demolition waste; poaching; discharge of effluents among others. In 2017 when the rules replaced 2010 wetland rules several concerns were raised by environmentalists and legal experts who found that the new rules were a much diluted version that would make protection of wetlands even more difficult. While the 2010 guidelines clearly categorised what is completely restricted and what is regulated, the new rules used vague terminologies such as 'wise use' of wetlands raising ambiguity about what activities are permitted and they delegated much of the responsibility of identification and notification of wetlands to the states and UTs.
