Latest news with #RamsarConventiononWetlands
The Star
a day ago
- General
- The Star
China remains committed to int'l wetland conservation: official
VICTORIA FALLS, Zimbabwe, July 28 (Xinhua) -- China remains committed to the protection of international wetlands and to fostering global partnerships through technological exchange and joint conservation efforts, a senior Chinese official said Sunday. Xia Jun, director general of the International Cooperation Department at China's National Forestry and Grassland Administration, made the remarks at a side event during the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, currently underway in the resort city of Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Speaking at the session focused on accelerating global action for mangrove and wetland conservation, Xia emphasized the ecological importance of wetlands and underscored the need for strong international cooperation to ensure their protection. "This profound understanding underpins China's unwavering commitment to its conservation," he stressed. To advance international efforts in mangrove conservation and sustainable use, China launched the International Mangrove Center (IMC) in the southern city of Shenzhen in November 2024. Xia described the IMC as a landmark initiative that reflects the spirit of global cooperation. China remains steadfast in its commitment to sharing knowledge, technological innovations, and training expertise, while embracing the opportunity to learn from global counterparts, he said. "Only through such concerted, collaborative action can we secure these indispensable ecosystems, ensuring they continue to provide vital services for both nature and humanity for generations to come," Xia added.
Time of India
a day ago
- General
- Time of India
India showcases its wetland conservation model at COP15, cites its achievements
NEW DELHI: India has showcased the country's wetland conservation model at the ongoing 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, highlighting how it has rejuvenated over 68,827 small wetlands with people's participation and technological interventions, including use of advanced GIS-based mapping, under dedicated schemes in just one year. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The ' Mission Sahbhagita ', launched in 2022, to promote an 'all of society' approach to wetlands conservation and the 'Amrit Sarovar' scheme, launched to rejuvenate and develop 50,000 small wetlands (75 wetlands in each district), got special mention during the country's presentation. It was highlighted that 68,827 wetlands were rejuvenated and developed within one year. Financing for the exercise happened in convergence with ongoing schemes. It was shared that mapping of wetlands using advanced satellite imaging techniques, covering wetlands of up to 0.1 hectare, and physical boundary delineation are being done for inventory targeted conservation and management. At the conference, India last week invited all countries to mainstream sustainable lifestyles into their policies and practices for effective management of wetlands and their conservation. Articulating India's stand and highlighting the country's contribution to global wetlands conservation, environment minister Bhupender Yadav said the country has 91 Ramsar Sites (spread over 1.36 million hectares). This is the largest network in Asia and the third largest globally. He said, 'Over the past decade, we have expanded this network by 250%. For the first time, two Indian cities -- Udaipur and Indore -- have been accredited as wetland cities, showing our commitment to urban wetlands'. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A presentation was made at COP15 by the principal chief conservator of forests (Wildlife) and chief wildlife warden of Haryana, Vivek Saxena, with special focus on Sultanpur National Park (Gurgaon) and Bhindawas Bird Sanctuary (Jhajjar), both internationally designated Ramsar sites in the state, which exemplify ecosystem-based and community-led wetland conservation. The international convention on wetlands, adopted in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar, provides a framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources across 172-member countries, including India.
Time of India
a day ago
- General
- Time of India
India showcases its wetland conservation model at COP15, cites its achievements
NEW DELHI: India has showcased the country's wetland conservation model at the ongoing 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, highlighting how it has rejuvenated over 68,827 small wetlands with people's participation and technological interventions, including use of advanced GIS-based mapping, under dedicated schemes in just one year. The ' Mission Sahbhagita ', launched in 2022, to promote an 'all of society' approach to wetlands conservation and the 'Amrit Sarovar' scheme, launched to rejuvenate and develop 50,000 small wetlands (75 wetlands in each district), got special mention during the country's presentation. It was highlighted that 68,827 wetlands were rejuvenated and developed within one year. Financing for the exercise happened in convergence with ongoing schemes. It was shared that mapping of wetlands using advanced satellite imaging techniques, covering wetlands of up to 0.1 hectare, and physical boundary delineation are being done for inventory targeted conservation and management. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Japanese AI invention allows you to speak 68 languages instantly. The idea? Genius. Enence 2.0 Undo At the conference, India last week invited all countries to mainstream sustainable lifestyles into their policies and practices for effective management of wetlands and their conservation. Articulating India's stand and highlighting the country's contribution to global wetlands conservation, environment minister Bhupender Yadav said the country has 91 Ramsar Sites (spread over 1.36 million hectares). This is the largest network in Asia and the third largest globally. He said, 'Over the past decade, we have expanded this network by 250%. For the first time, two Indian cities -- Udaipur and Indore -- have been accredited as wetland cities, showing our commitment to urban wetlands'. Live Events A presentation was made at COP15 by the principal chief conservator of forests (Wildlife) and chief wildlife warden of Haryana, Vivek Saxena, with special focus on Sultanpur National Park (Gurgaon) and Bhindawas Bird Sanctuary (Jhajjar), both internationally designated Ramsar sites in the state, which exemplify ecosystem-based and community-led wetland conservation. The international convention on wetlands, adopted in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar, provides a framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources across 172-member countries, including India.
India Today
4 days ago
- General
- India Today
India, Namibia discuss deepening cheetah conservation efforts
India and Namibia on Friday discussed ways to deepen ties in cheetah conservation and wetland Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav met his Namibian counterpart Indileni Daniel on the sidelines of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe."We discussed the longstanding friendship and strong environmental partnership between India and Namibia, built on mutual respect, democratic values and common priorities for sustainability. Deliberated upon ways to deepen ties in cheetah conservation and also talked about our shared commitment towards protecting wetlands and the ecosystem they sustain," he posted on As part of efforts to reintroduce cheetahs, which went extinct in India in 1952, 20 African cheetahs have been brought to the country so far: eight from Namibia in September 2022 and 12 from South Africa in February of them have survived. Since the introduction of African cheetahs, 26 cubs have been born in India, of which 17 have survived.- EndsTune InMust Watch
The Star
4 days ago
- General
- The Star
Interview: China leading in wetland preservation, says Wetlands International CEO
VICTORIA FALLS, Zimbabwe, July 25 (Xinhua) -- China is playing a leading role in the global wetland preservation agenda, Wetlands International Chief Executive Officer Coenraad Krijger said Friday. In an interview with Xinhua on the sidelines of the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP15) underway in the resort city of Victoria Falls in the Matabeleland North Province of Zimbabwe, Krijger acknowledged China's efforts in wetland preservation, following the accreditation of nine more Chinese cities as wetland cities at COP15 on Thursday. "Indeed, if you look across the world, China has taken a leadership position in doing the right thing for wetlands," he said. "The biggest number of wetland cities in the world is in China, and leading the COP, having these mangrove centers, and having strong policies already in place, and big restoration actions, so I think China is leading." China is home to a significant portion of the world's important wetlands, which highlights the importance of the country's efforts in investing in wetland preservation. "Through the trade relations that China has, and the investments that China has all over the world, (China) is also connected to (other) very important wetlands worldwide," Krijger said. COP15, which officially opened on Thursday, is running under the theme of "Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future," bringing together representatives of governments to strengthen international commitments for wetland conservation and to highlight the vital role of wetlands in sustaining ecological health, biodiversity, and climate resilience. Krijger said platforms such as the Ramsar Convention must continue to amplify the need to preserve wetlands and enhance mutual learning. The Ramsar Convention, named after the Iranian city of Ramsar where the convention was signed in 1971, is an intergovernmental agreement dedicated to the conservation and rational use of wetland ecosystems. Krijger said that Wetland International, a global not-for-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and restoration of wetlands, has worked with China in supporting wetland preservation efforts for many years. "It is really important that any country steps up and takes their wetlands seriously. Wetlands are easy targets for all kinds of developments, such as real estate and harbors. So strong legislation and strong policies are very much needed to counteract the attractiveness of wetlands," he said. "I think we can learn a lot from the Chinese efforts and bring that to the rest of the world. And also, we could perhaps be facilitating exchange and joint learning across our network," Krijger said. While development is welcome, he said, there is a need to maintain a balance between development and the health of wetlands. "This is a key challenge because, on the one hand, people want to live near or in wetlands because of the water and all the benefits it brings. At the same time, if the development is not done in the right way, that will diminish, at least in the long run, but sometimes even in the short run." Krijger said he is eager to visit Chinese wetland cities in the future to learn how they achieve urban development while reaping the benefits of preserving the wetlands.
