Newsletter of Wetlands International South Asia

FEBRUARY 2021 VOLUME 7

World Wetlands Day Special Issue Wetland Governance Wetlands International South Asia Wetlands International South Asia is a non-government organisation working for sustaining and

Delhi (India) was established in 1996 as a part of the Wetlands International network. Wetlands

restoration of wetlands, and presently works in over 100 countries through a network of 18

Convention. In 2005, Wetlands International South Asia was registered under the Societies

subscribing to the goals and targets of the Wetlands International network.

civil society on various aspects of wetland management.

DISCLAIMER The presentation of material in this newsletter and the geographical designations employed do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever by Wetlands International South Asia, concerning the legal status of any country, area or territory or concerning the delimitations of its boundaries or frontiers. The views and opinions expressed in SAROVAR are not necessarily those of Wetlands International South Asia Society (Regd.) or its members. Articles may be reproduced elsewhere acknowledging the source as ‘SAROVAR, The newsletter of Wetlands International South Asia’. The Editorial Panel welcomes contributions of articles and information. These may be sent to: [email protected] Cover Photograph: Aerial view of Pallikarnai Marsh, Chennai, Tamil Nadu (Jayshree Vencatesan) Inside Cover Photograph: Gosabara, Mokarsagar Wetlands, Jamnagar, Gujarat (Wetlands International South Asia Photo Library) Back Cover Photograph: Loktak, Manipur (Wetlands International South Asia Photo Library/Dushyant Mohil) Editing: Message from the President

It gives me immense pleasure to hand you over the seventh volume of our newsletter Sarovar based on the theme of ‘Wetland Governance’. Environmentally sound management of wetlands can be done through considering all uses and functions of water and all interactions between environmental conditions and human activities. A long-term preventive than curative approach should be the main theme of good governance. It must include knowledge base, sustainability, citizens participation and a team of trained field managers to execute action in the field. We must be in a position to implement technical water conservation measures to reduce water use and coordinate it with poverty alleviation programme. Merely improving management plans and regulation is not enough unless there is a deeper change in governance mechanisms. There is an urgent need to improve governance from demand driven to specific goal driven actions which will certainly help in combating the degradation of wetlands. In order to stem wetlands conservation and loss, India has been prioritizing wetlands conservation within its central government schemes. Support is provided to states for prioritizing wetlands and developing and implementing integrated management plans. Yet, continued degradation of wetlands indicates that the malaise is much deeper, and beyond technical fixes. Wetlands governance is currently fragmented across several sectors, the policy statements are not harmonized, and gaps remain at several places. In the current incarnation, Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 provide regulatory cover to only a narrow subset of natural wetlands – and several regions, such as urban wetlands in Deccan region, remain exposed to developmental threats. Through a series of articles, we explore this theme in this issue. 2021 is going to be a significant year for wetlands on several counts – the Ramsar Convention will be celebrating its 50th year of signing, the post 2020 and post-2020 global biodiversity framework will be firmed up. Closer home, the Central Asian Flyway initiative is coming to life with discussions on establishing a secretariat for the initiative. The Indian network of Ramsar Sites, with 41 wetlands, is now next only to China in Asia. This is an opportune moment to upscale our efforts on wetlands conservation, and address sectoral mainstreaming challenges. The COVID pandemic has brought to fore our broken relationship with nature – and as economic activities have slowed down, nature has recovered. It is important that governance for wetlands addresses these discrepancies and creates a reflexive, multi-level framework which is adaptive in the face of increasing anthropogenic pressures. Wetlands governance needs to be a collaborative effort involving all sectors of government/management/policy/research organisations/stakeholders. While governments will continue to have a central role in wetlands governance, success will lie in their ability to instil a sense of responsibility amongst citizens and private sector on the need to conserve, maintain and enhance the full range of biodiversity and ecosystem service values that these ecosystems provide. I hope you will enjoy reading the current issue. As always, we welcome your feedback and comments to improve the content of our newsletter. I also look forward to receiving your contributions for the next issue. May the coming year usher in a positive hope for wetlands. I wish you all a very Happy New Year.

Dr Sidharth Kaul President Wetlands International South Asia From the Director’s Desk

In 2021, we will be marking 50 years of the establishment of the international treaty on wetlands – the Ramsar Convention. The progenitors of the Convention were farsighted in establishing an international framework dedicated to a single ecosystem, and coining wetlands wise use as an approach balancing nature conservation with human use of this ecosystem, on pathways that do not alter the natural character of the ecosystem. This coinage predated ‘sustainable development’ and reflected a deep appreciation of human-nature interlinkages in developing conservation and management strategies. Yet, unfortunately over the years the value of wetland wise use as a concept and instrument for mainstreaming wetlands in development has considerably eroded. In December 2020, two news items struck my attention – the Gram Panchayat in Palghar’s Jamsar passed a resolution to declare a heritage lake as a wetland and undertake conservation measures. The residents of Jhajjar in Haryana have demanded a wetland status for their village which receives nearly 150 migratory bird species. The significant role that Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies can play in conserving the diverse wetland regime of the country is hitherto understated and underutilized. The Gram Panchayats have been ascribed significant responsibilities in framing local developmental plans and have also been devoured substantive funds to implement these plans thus opening up windows for convergence. The Jal Jeevan mission of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India includes water source protection as one of the core intervention pillars. The United Nations has ascribed the 2021 World Water Day theme as ‘Valuing Water’. The corona pandemic has brought to fore the limitations of economic paradigms which focus on development and growth of economic capital and remain oblivious on the sustaining role of natural capital. The divergence was apparent when a slowdown in economic activities was reflected in the rejuvenation of nature – stories from several wetlands indicated declining pollution and abundance of life such as congregation of waterbirds. This will be an important moment to build a case for valuation that captures the life sustaining role of wetlands which is fundamental to water and climate security. Values should also reflect the diversity – from those reflecting livelihood dependences to relational and cultural dimensions such as sense of place and identity. It is often the latter underpin conservation ethos. Also pertinent is to ensure we do not stop at valuation alone, but capture those values in affirmative actions that conserve nature as the basis of sustainable development. Let 2021 usher in an era of development which ensures that nature is conserved and sustainable development reflects in our ability to conserve ecosystems such as wetlands as its basic building blocks.

Dr Ritesh Kumar Director Wetlands International South Asia Harsh Ganapathi Dushyant Mohil or Nature? Wetlands for People Governing Urban Dr AsgharNawab Dhruv Verma Waterbird Census 30 years ofAsian for Wetlands Citizen Science Dr Jayashree Vencatesan Marsh ofChennai The Case ofPallikarnai an Urban Wetland Governance Lessonsfrom

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Contents in India Wetlands Regulation Wetland Rejuvenation: Dr Taej Mundkur Waterbirds! to Conserve Migratory Important Wetlands of Internationally Asian Flyway Network Operationalize aCentral High Timeto Sanjay Srivastava Uttar Pradesh Experiences of in landrecords Integrating wetlands Dr SidharthKaul Ankit Srivastava Dr Prathna TC the NCTofDelhi Early Experiences from 44 56 28 4

Sachin Desai Konkan Division Experiences from Participation Through Community Documenting Wetlands Dr SidharthKaul Dr Ritesh Kumar Collaborative Governance Charting anagenda for Wetlands and Upcoming Events Recent Publications Nityanand Jayaraman A Ready Reckoner Vedanthangal Sanctuary Denotification of

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Wetlands Regulation In India

A well thought-out holistic Several wide-ranging as a support system for people scientific approach has Cpolicies, strategies and living around these areas and are been long overdue for action plans have been extremely important components formulated by the Government of of the global water cycle. They the conservation and India which directly or indirectly recharge underground aquifers, management of wetlands. support wetland conservation help in flood mitigation, In the absence of a strong in the country. The national sediment retention, waste framework, wetlands and conservation strategy and policy treatment and water quality their values are being lost at a statements on environment improvement, and draught rapid pace. It is now important and development highlight alleviation. Apart from being a to have guidelines for wetland conservation and sustainable dependable source of water for management by specifying development of wetlands local communities, domesticated certain activities that can including coastal areas, riverine animals and wildlife., they are and island ecosystems. The prime habitats for aquatic and be allowed, and banning National Forest Policy 1988 and amphibious flora and fauna. others which are inherently the National Wildlife Action Wetlands provide shelter and detrimental to this ecosystem. Plan 2017-31 emphasises on feeding ground for resident Dr Sidharth Kaul, President, conservation of wildlife based on aquatic birds and serve as winter Wetlands International South scientific principles of evolution resorts for migratory water fowl. Asia writes on the current and genetics as well as social and Wetlands support fisheries, state of wetlands regulation in cultural ethos of the country. cultivation of aquatic food and India and how strengthening Wetlands offer a wide variety medicinal plants and tourism of goods and ecosystem services. thus, contributing to the of governance measures is the They provide livelihood and serve need of the hour.

4 Wetlands International South Asia : Sarovar economy. They are also very and biodiversity. A well- A multidisciplinary expert important for educational, defined management planning group was constituted by the scientific, recreational and process for wetlands with full Ministry of Environment, Forests aesthetic reasons. A well stakeholders’ participation is and Climate Change (MoEFCC) thought-out holistic scientific essential for achieving their to draft a regulatory framework approach was long overdue sustainable use. which recommended categories for their conservation and of wetlands for regulation, management and in the absence process and procedures for of a strong framework, wetlands RATIONALE FOR REGULATION identification, composition of and their values are being lost at a regulatory authorities, functions a rapid pace which is a matter of of authorities and activities to great concern. The present law • Strengthening multi- be regulated and finally bring a on regulatory framework is the disciplinary and symbiotic notification under Environment first attempt to stop degradation intersectoral ties and effective Protection Act of 1986. of wetlands without restricting implementation mechanisms Categorisation of wetlands their legitimate wise use • Greater focus on alternative into three groups namely A, within their carrying capacity. livelihoods, capacity building B and C was proposed for the To conserve and encourage and monitoring systems purpose of regulation by the sustainable wise use of wetland • Establishing closer interface centre, state and local bodies resources, it is important to have between research findings and at district level, respectively. It guidelines for their management management action plans was also necessary to develop by specifying certain activities • Emphasising on quantifiable threshold for the three categories that can be allowed, and banning deliverables and of wetlands and let each body others which are inherently tangible outcomes. decide the level of regulation. detrimental and responsible for Series of meetings were held their degradation and loss. under the chairmanship of Sustainable use of wetlands is critical for ensuring the delivery of goods and services to people

A well-defined management planning process for wetlands with stakeholder participation is essential for achieving their sustainable use. (Point Calimere/ Harsh Ganapathi)

Issue VII | February 2021 5 the Secretary so that judicious regulator and the enforcement Category A contained all regulatory regime will check agency needs to be maintained. wetlands under the Ramsar further deterioration of wetlands These should preferably be two Convention, high altitude and contribute towards different agencies. The agency wetlands, transboundary realisation of multiple values having a vested interest in the wetlands, wetlands recognised embodied in wetlands. While wetland site should not be the as world heritage sites or lying the wetlands in forest areas enforcement agency considering within world heritage sites, inter- are protected through a host reasons of conflict of interests. state wetlands and wetlands of legislative instruments, the Taking in to consideration all which are a major source of ones located in non-forest areas these aspects, a list of prohibited drinking water. These were to be are vulnerable. activities within wetlands regulated by the centre. Earlier, Basic issues of threat and and activities with approval clearance for Central Wetland functions remain common for of concerned agencies were Authority only was given by centre, state and local bodies finalised. The functions of the Ministry of Law and Justice but while implementation agencies authority at top was to appraise these rules have been further were kept separate. Activities proposals for identification changed in 2017. impacting wetlands which of new wetlands, to enforce included effluent discharges the provisions contained of industrial, domestic and under these rules along with SOME DIRECTIONS agrochemicals, solid waste, other laws in force, grant of FOR FUTURE sewage, filling and dredging, clearances or identification of a conversion of wetland to non- areas for grant of clearances wetland use, withdrawal of for regulated activities in the There is a need to explore water, impoundment/diversion/ wetland under jurisdictions, a proper institutional interruption of sources, issuance of directions necessary mechanism with an integrated harvesting of living/non-living for conservation from time multidisciplinary approach for sources, navigation of high-speed to time, preservation and solving management issues. crafts etc. wise use of wetlands to the Proper coordination Agencies for regulation state governments, and lastly, among various subject matter were to be decided on the undertaking review of the departments and experts, basis of a criteria of spatial list of wetlands and details consolidation of baseline data spread, technical expertise and of prohibited and regulated for better management, use avoidance of conflict of interest. activities under the rules and of innovative technologies in Distinction between role of the mode and methodology collaboration with all experts at for execution.

6 Wetlands International South Asia : Sarovar A chemical fertilizers which are less marketing in various sectors. We explored also need to be taken also must promote private sector Conflicts between water into consideration. participation which is fruitful for and tenurial rights needs Conflicts between water our R&D sector in general and to be looked into. We also and tenurial rights needs to be our country in particular. Project need to give emphasis looked into. We must also look supervision and monitoring is a to capacity building and into rapid impact assessment must to attract better results. exercise wherever needed. The revised guidelines have generating awareness. Identification of lead institutes been framed to assist state A is a must to coordinate for a governments in the preparation multidisciplinary and integrated of a brief document on wetlands national and international level, approach. We also need to give through a wetland authority appointment of knowledge- emphasis to capacity building which was not earlier approved based staff at technological and and generating awareness. by the Ministry at state and administrative levels which Apart from the above district levels. Any natural or must take in to consideration ramifications, we need to look human-made wetland can be their future is also imperative for into basic urban structures such proposed for notification under future planning as water supply, sanitation, road the Wetland Rules except river Water being used by both and public transport, solid waste channels, paddy fields, coastal government and stakeholders management, environmental wetlands within the purview such as concerned sectors to improvements and incidental of the Coastal Regulation Zone, work for proper water flows so services such as public toilets, wetlands with permanent that there is balance between street signage, and lighting agriculture in Rabi and Kharif needs and availability of through government agencies as seasons, water logged areas resources for both government all these aspects are responsible created due to fragmentation of and all stakeholders. for degradation of wetlands hydrological regimes within the We must develop appropriate in one way or the other. We last three decades and which technologies for utilisation of also need enhanced qualities do not possess any significant biodiversity available in the of natural and cultural tourist biodiversity or ecosystem service region and find indicator species attractions to ensure convenience values, ash ponds of thermal to assess such changes. and safety of visitors. We power plants, equalisation Point and non-point sources must strengthen capacities of tanks, polishing ponds as a part of pollution with reference to concerned sector agencies and of effluent treatment plant, toxic substance, pesticides, local communities for planning, sewage treatment plant or water weedicides and other organic development, management, and treatment plant. Urban wetlands face serious developmental serious developmental face wetlands Urban in Delhi seen Floodplains (Yamuna threats (Shutterstock) picture)

Issue VII | February 2021 7 States are requested to likely to induce adverse changes OVER LAPPING make detailed inventory by in structure and functioning of LEGAL PROVISIONS consolidating the available wetland ecosystems. a information from existing Wetlands having defined inventories and list of wetlands drainage need to be delineated Wetlands lying within protective to be notified under Wetland as the zone of influence areas of national park and Rules to be submitted by states/ including inflows and outflows sanctuaries to be regulated UTs. The brief document to be and wetlands having diffused under the provisions of Wildlife prepared by the designated drainage where slope is too Protection Act 1972 and wetlands authority after collating required gentle rendering large basin lying within the notified forest information from recognised areas; the features need to be areas to be regulated by the agencies like the Botanical taken up for consideration which provisions of Indian Forest Survey of India (BSI), Zoological can affect wetland functioning. act 1927, Forest Conservation Survey of India (ZSI), Wildlife The notified wetlands need to Act 1980 and Environment Institute of India (WII), Salim be mapped along with all the Protection Act 1986, while the Ali Centre for Ornithology areas influenced with local gaps if any can be plugged and Natural History (SACON), landmarks preferably in the by invoking provisions of EP Bombay Natural History Society scale of 1:25000 for bigger Act 1986. (BNHS), Wetlands International wetlands and 1:10000 for smaller Authorities also need to South Asia (WISA), International wetlands. Authorities also need look into creation of artificial/ Union for Conservation of to look into pre-existing rights constructed wetlands to Nature (IUCN), World Wild Fund and privileges and activities minimise nutrient content for Nature (WWF) and others impacting ecological health of by use of macrophytes for which possess the required wetlands which are not allowed nutrient removal by single information. List of endangered, and other activities which can species or combination of rare, vulnerable, threatened be permitted after examination many species which have the biodiversity to be prepared by the constituted authorities ability to remove nutrients along with land use from after thoughtful scrutiny. All using them as biological filters revenue records. relevant guidelines are made to check eutrophication. State/ While delineating wetland for ease of operation. The UT authorities need to take boundaries, hydrological regimes Wetland Authorities at the state/ help from leading institutes need to be used as the primary local level shall be responsible and expert groups to prepare, factor using maximum area for enforcing the regulations implement and monitor under inundation or saturation through proper enforcement various projects in action. The of soil near the surface during machinery. Some states have most important aspect is to a normal monsoon year. When already nominated some quantify the carrying capacity of a wetland dependent species wetlands for notification. They wetlands, inflows and outflows shares several wetlands as have given a list of prohibited which are essential components habitats, such areas can be activities and activities which are for wetland management taken as complex wetlands. regulated, and those permitted and restoration. While delineating zones of with required maps and geo- In spite of all these efforts, influence, we must include which coordinates including activities we still see some barricades to developmental activities are within the catchment areas. address issues which need to be

A

We need enhanced qualities of natural and cultural tourist attractions to ensure convenience and safety of visitors. We must strengthen capacities of concerned sector agencies and local communities for planning, development, management, and marketing in various sectors. We also must promote private sector participation which is fruitful for our R&D sector in general and our country in particular. Project supervision and monitoring is a must to attract better results. A

8 Wetlands International South Asia : Sarovar Issue VII|February 2021 • • wetland regulations: stage ofimplementation of looked atduringtheinitiation to bringpositive results if measures are suggested redressed to get positive results. has to vest central with or buttheregulationNGO’S may alsobeperformed by Functions ofmonitoring for such purpose. committee to beconstituted nationalwetlandbe leftwith plans involving finance should while management action regulatorywith mechanism authority may strictly deal the centre, theregulatory of interest. Assuch even at agency for reasons ofconflict should notbetheenforcement interest inthewetland site agency having avested agencies are required. The Preferably two separate and enforcement agency. between arole ofaregulator There shouldbedistinction The following remedial • • • • for wetlands sothat research committee advisory We needto constitute a are specifically for wetlands. No separate research projects state governments. to bothcentral aswell as not misused.Thisapplies state governments /UTs is distributed to various action planssothatmoney efficacy ofmanagement to beconstituted to examine A separate expert group needs from thedate ofdecision. aperiodof60dayswithin National Green TribunalAct constituted underthe National Green Tribunal may prefer to appealto the decision oftheauthority Any person aggrieved by the concerned agency/tribunal. relief issoughtfrom the of auditmechanism before there needsto beaprovision authority failinginits duties, In theevent ofregulatory state government. • • effective manner. wetland conservation inavery can strengthen ourtask of for conserving wetlands initiation, regulatory mechanism measures are taken well before fruitful manner released isutilisedina needed sothatassistance mid-term corrections if from timeto timeorto take evolved to monitor activities mechanisms needto be Some effective monitoring work attheground level. officerswill who execute the governments nodal along with agencies by respective state Identification ofnodal rapid speed. these are beinglostata for wetland restoration as also helpinpolicyplanning their furtherdeterioration but which notonlyhelpto stop projects are given inthisarea application-oriented We are sure ifalltherelevant B

9 A fisher harvesting chestnuts at Wular, a Ramsar site in Jammu and Kashmir (Wetlands International South Asia Photo Library) Wetlands Charting an agenda for Collaborative Governance

Dr Ritesh Kumar, Director, Why governance matters for wetlands? Wetlands International a South Asia and Conventional ‘command and control’ approaches are increasingly Dr Sidharth Kaul, President, found limiting when decision-making needs to accommodate diverse Wetlands International South views and collaborate with a range of stakeholders, often beyond Asia present an overview the government. Governance thinking is widely understood to of wetlands governance encapsulate transition from ‘government’ as the center of all decision- in India and suggest making processes to interactions between state and other actors. measures for setting up Governance is a steering function – and is generally defined as the collaborative governance for institutions, structures, and processes that determine who makes these ecosystems. decisions, how and for whom decisions are made, whether, how and what actions are taken and by whom and to what effect. Governance is delineated from management in the sense that the latter refers to the resources, plans, and actions that result from functioning of governance. So, what makes governance of wetlands special? Firstly, wetlands encapsulate a range of ecosystems providing myriad benefits – from large lagoons and backwaters to small village ponds, and from wetlands in the lap of glaciers to floodplains adorning the rivers. These wetlands have been historically governed on different approaches (such as mangroves as timber forests, and tanks and lakes

10 Wetlands International South Asia : Sarovar for Collaborative Governance Charting anagenda Wetlands

Issue VII|February 2021 degraded becauseofthecurse would ultimately endup ecosystems such aswetlands believed thatas‘publicgoods’, by learning from such changes. decision-making environments and responsive to dynamic governance needsto beadaptive norms inwetlands, andthereby rather thanpredictability are ecological systems, surprises complex andcoupled social- at multiplescales. Fourth, as and organizations thatworking a broader range ofinstitutions decision-making processes of to befactored inplanningand wetlands functioningneeds catchments.their wider Thus, actions taking place within influences from developmental Thirdly, wetlands are opento and peopleasseparate entities. rather thantreating nature nature-human interlinkages, governance needsto integrate functioning –andthereby, part ofwetland ecosystem their actionsform anintegral Secondly, humanbeings and governance regime arduous. thus makingthetask ofaunified for irrigation anddrinking), as fisheriesand water sources Till recently, itwas widely self-interest, actcontrary will actions,individual actingon was presumed thatdisconnected of the‘tragedy ofcommons.’ It and biodiversity values ofthese wetland ecosystem services and integrate thefullrange of pathways which failto recognize is theadoptionofdevelopment of outcome of‘poorgovernance’, as degradation isasmuch an be farfrom reality. Wetlands use.and wise Nothing can deliver wetlands conservation arrangements are sufficient to presumption thattheexisting afterthought –mainlyonthe governance remains an management plansfor wetlands, are putinplace to design governance systems. elements ofpublicandprivate models thatbringtogether creating hybrid governance (polycentric approaches) and involving multiplestakeholders making atmultiplelevels, jinx –through thedecision- approaches canbreak this that governance modelsand ‘commons’ hasalsoshown However, recent work around in ashared resource system. to thecommon societal interest While much ofenergies and efficient.Secondly, to being informed, accountable, setting, coordination, capacity, can enablethisinclude direction governance attributes which habitats andbiodiversity. Key the persistence ofspecies, ecosystem services through to functionandto produce improve theability ofecosystems governance shouldmaintain or Firstly, environmental good environmental governance. four objectives andattributes of scholarship hasputspotlighton of decision-making. to berelegated to theperiphery place, wetlands continue will governance improvements take and decision-making. Unless ecosystems intheirplanning contexts. Criticalattributes of social conditions anddiverse to changing environmental and should beresponsive by adapting Third, environmental governance participatory, fair, andjust. characterized asbeinginclusive, socioeconomic outcomes making processes andproduce should engage decision‐ environmental governance socially equitable andinclusive, achieve theobjective ofbeing Recent governance 11 Hokera on the outskirts of Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir (Wetlands International South Asia Photo Library) A

Decades of work on Indian birds and passion of stalwarts such as Padma Vibhushan Shri Salim Ali have laid the foundation of a network of wetland protected areas supporting large congregation of waterbirds. Vedanthangal, Keoladeo, Khijadiya and Ranganathituu were designated as protected areas under the colonial laws and regulation. Protected areas in the form of government notified sites for wildlife conservation, and managed through centralized bureaucracies formed the core of governance of such sites. A such systems include learning, However, evidence of wetlands peasant communities called the anticipation, adaptability, governance in India points out to gaunkari, who were renamed as innovation, and flexibility. diverse arrangements, depending the Comunidades, during the Finally, good environmental on the values ascribed by the Portuguese regime. governance should be entities that controlled access. In Bhitarkanika mangroves, robust and persist over time, In Chilika, the King leased the the erstwhile ruler of Kanika maintain performance, and lagoon to the fishers who in zamindari permitted rotational cope with perturbations and turn evolved a complex resource felling of the mangroves. crises. Robust environmental governance system, setting Vedanthangal, an irrigation tank governance systems are spatial and temporal limits in Tamil Nadu known for its large legitimate, connected, nested, on use of gears– a governance heronries, has been protected and polycentric. regime which was based on by the local villages for over two a nuanced understanding of centuries when they recognized the habitat and fish migration. the nitrogen and phosphorus- The shaping up of wetlands The Ahar-pyne, a network of rich bird guano's value as highly governance in India traditional floodwater harvesting nourishing to the surrounding a wetlands which formed the paddy fields. backbone of farming in South Worldwide, conservation Worldwide, modern nature Bihar was governed on the basis of wetlands was triggered by a conservation has emerged on of collective action of farmers, decline in waterbird populations. an ‘idealistic view of pristine and mutually agreed water Hunting began to be regulated nature’, existing in landscapes sharing agreements which often by different approaches such untouched by humans and often cut across caste and occupation as rationing using ‘duck devoid of their presence, and hierarchies. Khazan, multiple- stamps’ in the United States perpetuated in models such use coastal wetlands of Goa, were in the thirties. It is but natural as Yellowstone National Park managed for long by organized that wetlands conservation of the western United States. groups of self-regulating tribal policy and programming as

Conserving migratory waterbirds has been a major motivation for wetland programmes. In picture – Demoiselle cranes in wetlands of Wadwana, Gujarat (Wetlands International South Asia Photo Library)

12 Wetlands International South Asia : Sarovar we see today in India drew its of reconciling conservation and and Development issued by the roots from recognition of their development started gaining Government of India in 1992. roles as waterbird habitats, ground, supporting a view of A national programme for drawing in parts from waterbird nature not only as a pristine wetlands was put in place centric wetlands conservation area for species other than in 1985, immediately after movements in Europe and North humans, but also as a valuable India ratified the Ramsar America. Erstwhile rulers, several resource. The preservation ideal Convention. The programme of who were also avid game was already challenged at the recognized the need for hunters, laid the foundation of turn of 20th century, such as coordination across multiple a network of wetland protected through call for wise use of forest sectors and stakeholders. In the areas in India. resources in the United States implementation arrangements, The British left behind a championed by Gifford Pinchot the Ministry recommended mixed conservation legacy – who defined forestry as ‘the constitution of State and that of promoting widespread practical knowledge of how to District Wetlands Committees hunting of game animals while use the forest and range without as key entities for ensuring also setting aside nearly 0.6 destroying them’ as against wetlands conservation within million km2 of government a preservationist approach of states. The focus, however, forests that became an abode ‘locking up’ these resources. was on a handful of wetlands, of several species. Later on, it Thus, when the text of Ramsar which were prioritized by laid the foundation of post- Convention was being framed the State Governments on independence protected area in the sixties, wise use became the basis of ecological and network. In 1972, a legislation to the central tenet – linking socioeconomic values. protect wildlife was enacted, at together nature conservation In 2006, the National the behest of then Prime Minister as well as human use, while not Environment Policy articulated Indira Gandhi, banning hunting altering the natural properties the need for putting in place and commercial exploitation of of the wetland ecosystem. India a regulatory framework for timber and forest produce from ratified the Convention in 1982. wetlands – a decision which natural reserves. Further, in In 1985, when the Ministry culminated into Wetlands 1980-81, the Forest Conservation of Environment, Forest and (Conservation and Management) Act was brought in preventing Climate Change, wetlands Rules, 2017. From a governance diversion of reserved forest land started receiving national point of view, the regulation for agriculture and development attention, beginning from a does three fundamental things. projects. Together with The specific mention in the National Firstly, Wetland Authorities Wild Life Protection Act, 1972, Conservation Strategy and Policy have been constituted within it facilitated the establishment Statement on Environment states and UTs as the nodal of strict protection of several institutions for all policy, nature reserves. Decades of work A management and regulation on Indian birds and passion of aspects of wetlands within their stalwarts such as Salim Ali laid The British left behind jurisdiction. Secondly, all-natural the foundation of a network a mixed conservation wetlands have protection, either of wetland protected areas in the form of coverage under legacy – that of promoting supporting large congregation other rules, or notification widespread hunting of game of waterbirds. Vedanthangal, under Wetlands Rules, clearly Keoladeo, Khijadiya and animals while also setting specifying rules of access and use Ranganathituu were designated aside nearly 0.6 million km2 of notified wetlands (in the form as protected areas under of government forests that of activities prohibited, regulated the wildlife protection laws became an abode of several and permitted). Thirdly, and regulation. Centralized species. Later on, it laid wetlands authorities have been bureaucracies of the forest and the foundation of post- entrusted with the task to frame wildlife departments formed management plans based on independence protected the core of governance of wise use principle. area network. such wetlands. In summary, the diversity Around the 1960s, the idea A of governance arrangements in

Issue VII | February 2021 13 A forests (or green wash). hydrological connectivity, or The establishment of management of catchments are With top-down governance, protected areas in several effectively addressed. Thus, in management solutions are also cases has reduced instances of Keibul Lamjao National Park in simplistic and regimented. It is illegal hunting and poaching Manipur, the control of poaching not incidental that management of wetland-dependent species, has led to the resurrection of of wetland protected areas such as Sangai Deer in Keibul the population of endangered follow Keoladeo National Park Lamjao National Park (Manipur), Sangai deer. In contrast, the as the role model. Standardized one-horned rhino in Manas and habitat has continued to management planning guidelines Kaziranga (Assam), Swamp deer degrade due to changes in in Gangetic Plains, muggers hydrological regimes brought have meant that management and crocodiles, and waterbirds, about by the construction of Ithai prescriptions are also similar. especially migratory species Barrage. In Hokera, adjoining A across the Indian peninsula. Srinagar City of Kashmir, while However, the ‘fortress the Department of Wildlife conservation’ approach Protection has put boundary wetlands has narrowed down remains plagued with several pillars to prevent encroachment, over time to be anchored in problems, and efficacy remains the dredging of a canal through government departments and somewhat mixed. The ideas of the wetland as a part of flood agencies. Attempts to replicate pristine nature are themselves protection measure has left the Joint Forest Management models socially constructed and may wetland dry. have also been made in wetland have been the visions of elitist Closing large swathes of land settings, such as Joint Mangrove conservationists. for protection is very difficult Management Committees Firstly, the exclusion of local these days, and politically in Pitchavaram, Tamil Nadu. communities, especially those contentious. In 2002, the Wild However, such instances are few with access to these wetlands Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and far between. Community for livelihood needs, has resulted was thus amended to add participation in management into conflicts, often violent ‘conservation reserves’ and has been reduced mainly to user ones. The killings of villagers ‘community reserves’ as the third groups, who have little say in in building of a wall around type of Protected Area other than governance matters. Keoladeo (Rajasthan) is an National Parks and Sanctuaries. example. Secondly, in several Conservation Reserves parks and sanctuaries, human- are community co-managed Governance of wetlands wildlife conflicts have become biodiversity-rich areas, close within Protected common. In Bhitarkanika to existing Protected Areas and Area Network (Odisha), the farmers are often at serve as a buffer or a corridor to a terse relationship with saltwater establish a continuous network. crocodiles which invade on their Conservation Reserves can be As per the Forest Survey of India lands and often prey on small declared only on government- of 2019, nearly 62,000 wetlands cattle. Finally, closing areas owned lands, whereas are located within reserved does not ensure that issues of Community Reserves can be set up on lands that are privately or community-owned, and are managed by the individual(s) or communities in possession of such areas. In both these reserves, extraction of natural resources is permitted at levels decided by a multi-stakeholder Reserve Management Committee, thus allowing for management flexibility. Since 2002, several wetlands

A signage at Keoladeo National Park 14 (Wetlands International South Asia Photo Library) Wetlands International South Asia : Sarovar have been designated into Governance of wetlands the category of conservation outside Protected and community reserves, Area Networks the key being Charidhandh a (Gujarat), Gharana, Hokera, Hygam, Mirgund (Jammu and For significant wetlands located Kashmir), Tso Moriri (Ladakh), outside the formal protected Kokkare Bellur, Aghanashini area network, the model of and Puttenhalli (Karnataka), creating wetlands authorities Kadalundi (Kerala), Ropar and was adopted. The Loktak Keshopur Chhamb (Punjab), and Development Authority was Asan and Jhilmil (Uttarakhand). the first such organization Repeated attempts to constituted by the Government of designate Keshopur marshes as Manipur in 1987 and followed by a protected area during 1998- Chilika Development Authority 2005 met with stiff resistance by Government of Odisha in from the farmers inhabiting 1991. These organizations have the area. In 2007, after a series been registered under the of consultations with local Societies Act of the respective communities, Keshopur was states, and practically as Special designated as the country’s Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) to guide first community reserve. The formulation and implementation Deer in Manipur (Shutterstock) Sanagi 340-ha marsh (also designated of ecological restoration plans, as a Ramsar Site in September cutting across diverse sectors and has remained project dependent 2019), is jointly managed by disciplines. Chilika Development even after three decades. In a committee with the Range Authority has emerged as a East Kolkata Wetlands, the Officer (as the representative of successful example, as the political leadership has toed State Forest Department) and organization was not only able to stances against conservation Sarpanch from the five villages implement restoration measures of the Ramsar site, leading to as members. effectively, but was able to do so severely curtailed management. With top-down governance with required political support, The name Authority itself is a in most protected areas, enabled by a network of research misnomer – as most of these management solutions are also institutions with which the organizations do not enjoy any simplistic and regimented. It is Authority informally collaborated regulatory backing – or have not incidental that management with, and has over time acquired so much later. of wetland protected areas established newer benchmarks in For majority of wetlands, follow Keoladeo National Park capacity development, research there is no single department or as the role model. Standardized and monitoring. agency which has responsibility management planning guidelines Though promising, the for conservation and wise have meant that management success of Authority model is use. Often, there are different prescriptions are also similar, dependent on several factors – departments managing wetland and do not adequately account key being leadership, alignment waters (such as irrigation for local conditions and different of political views with ecological and flood control), resources ecological, hydrological and one, and stable financing. In the (fisheries and agriculture) and social settings. case of Loktak, the Authority land (revenue), but no one is

A

Unfortunately, wetlands rules have created, although inadvertently, debates on what is a wetland and what is not? Wetlands Rules regulate only a limited category of natural wetlands, leaving out a large number of human-made wetlands, and wetlands which receive protection from overlapping jurisdiction. A

Issue VII | February 2021 15 responsible for the wetland. Authority discovered political was able to use funds allocated This leads to sectoral pursuits coloration in membership. under the Mahatma Gandhi and ultimate neglect of these The approach has however National Rural Employment ecosystems. In some instances, been revised by the MoEFCC Guarantee Act to rejuvenate departments identified as nodal and is incorporated as one of wetlands. Such integration for wetlands do not have the the four pillars of the wetland opportunities are also being requisite management capacities. rejuvenation programme. pursued in Bihar and Goa, and Lack of clear jurisdiction is States such as Tamil Nadu and some other states. a glaring cause of decline, Uttar Pradesh have constituted particularly in the case of District Wetland Committees, to urban wetlands where land is assist State Wetlands Authorities Wetlands regulation: at premium and short-term in conservation and management a maze of laws commercial gains weigh over of wetlands, as well as oversee a long-term ecological values of wetlands inventorization, wetlands. implementation of management India has a rich legacy of Stakeholder engagement plans, and serve as a forum for environmental preservation is a critical ingredient of any inter-departmental coordination. enshrined in her various conservation effort. In 2016, the Wherever such organizations legislation and regulatory Karnataka Lake Conservation have been established, there regimes. The Indian Constitution and Development Authority put has been a scope of aligning encapsulates this spirit, notably forward the idea of appointing different administration units in its Article 51–A (g) stating citizens as lake wardens, and with wetlands conservation that “it shall be the duty of every become a partner in conservation at district levels and opens up citizen of India to protect and and management efforts possibilities of convergence with improve the natural environment by playing a watchdog and developmental programmes. In including forests, lakes, rivers outreach role. However, the Sitapur District of Uttar Pradesh, and wildlife and to have idea hit a roadblock when the the erstwhile District Collector compassion for living creatures.”

Peatbogs are effective carbon sinks, yet their true extent in India remains unassessed. In picture – peatbogs in Chandertal, Himachal Pradesh (Wetlands International South Asia Photo Library)

16 Wetlands International South Asia : Sarovar A

For majority of wetlands, there is no department or agency which has responsibility for conservation and wise use. Often, there are different departments managing wetland waters, resources and land, but no one is responsible for the wetland. This leads to sectoral pursuits and ultimate neglect of these ecosystems.

A

Provisions of the Indian (Protection) Act, 1986, coastal The case of Sindhudurg is not an Forest Act, 1927, the Forest wetlands are protected under isolated one. (Conservation) Act, 1980 and the Coastal Regulation Zone Environmental clearances the Indian Wild Life (Protection) (CRZ) Notification (2018) remain one of the weakest links Act, 1972 define the regulatory and its amendments and in the current regulatory regime. framework for wetlands located the Island Protection Zone In several cases, environmental within forests and designated (IPZ) Notification, 2011. The clearances for developmental protected areas. The Indian Environment (Protection) Rules, projects on wetlands have been Fisheries Act, 1897, The Water 1986, empowers the Central issued without taking into (Prevention and Control of Government to prohibit or account the impacts on these Pollution) Act, 1974, and restrict the location of industries ecosystems, or by even distorting The Biological Diversity Act, and carrying on of processes land use records. Several of such 2002 provide instruments for and operations in different areas clearances have been reverted regulating various development including wetlands. Several state by the National Green Tribunal threats on wetlands. governments (notably West and Supreme Court. In recent The Coastal Aquaculture Bengal, Odisha, Kerala, Manipur, times, the Courts have cited the Authority Act, 2005 prohibits Assam and Rajasthan) have also responsibility of the government the conversion of natural coastal enacted their own legislation for conserving and rejuvenating wetlands such as mangroves, pertaining to wetlands. wetlands under the Public Trust salt pans, estuaries and lagoons The regulatory regime, Doctrine. In a sweeping order of for aquaculture. Further, under though seeming comprehensive February 8, 2017, the Supreme the Biological Diversity Act, leave several wetlands out of Court desired that all wetlands 2002, the Central Government their ambit. The Wetlands above 2.25 ha be notified under can issue directives to State (Conservation and Management) Wetlands Rules. In July 2017, the Governments to take immediate Rules, 2017 are applicable only apex court also directed the High ameliorative measures to to natural wetlands, thus leaving Courts to monitor the status of conserve any area rich in out human-made wetlands Ramsar Sites, particularly the biological diversity, biological which are under tremendous usage of funds for implementing resources and their habitats threats particularly in urbanized management plans. While the especially when the area is being areas of the Deccan. regulatory regime may look threatened by overuse, abuse The wetland definition exhaustive, in reality their or neglect. mentioned in the rules is often implementation on ground In 2017, the Ministry notified cited and interpreted out of leaves much to be desired. the Wetlands (Conservation and context as restricting what is The penal provisions under Management) Rules under The considered as a wetland and Environment (Protection) Act, Environment (Protection) Act, is protected. In Sindhudurg 1986 are weak. 1986. Ramsar Sites and wetlands District, the efforts of a citizen The State Wetlands notified under these rules are science process for inventorying Authorities, on which much protected from development the wetlands were watered down of the implementation of threats by prohibiting a range when the district administration Wetlands Rules rests, are very of activities such as discharge struck down a large part of the understaffed, and in most cases, of untreated sewage, and inventory on the grounds that not well prepared to undertake construction within 50 meters human-made wetlands were notification of wetlands as per of high flood lines. Further, technically ‘not wetlands’ as per the process specified in the under The Environment the definition under the Rules. Wetlands Rules.

Issue VII | February 2021 17 Mainstreaming challenges patronage. Unfortunately, Policy of 2006 has articulated the a wetlands are still clubbed under core wetland policy elements: wastelands to date in land including their inclusion in The distinct recognition of records, and the most recent poverty alleviation and rural wetlands as audaka in Kautilya’s National Wasteland Atlas of 2019, development strategies, and Arthashastra and anupa in published by the Department taking into account explicit Caraka-Samhita were gradually of Land Resources (Ministry of impact of developmental projects lost when a revenue centric land Rural Development) includes on wetlands. The National administration system was put marshy and waterlogged lands, Water Policy of 2012 (currently in place by the Mughals and riverine and coastal sands under revision) recommends firmed up in colonial times. and glaciated areas within adoption of a basin approach for A limited understanding of wastelands. While there has water resources management benefits of wetlands led to their been limited headway in and identifies conservation of classification within wastelands getting wetlands recognized as river corridors, water bodies – and their drainage and a separate land use category at and associated ecosystems as reclamation was incentivized national level, states have found an essential action area. The within policies for wasteland out their own solutions. Uttar National Action Plan for Climate reduction. Several states had Pradesh has made a remarkable Change includes wetland specialized drainage divisions for effort of entering nearly 0.1 conservation and sustainable the purpose. Post-independence, million wetlands into land management in the National when India went into a spate records, thus protecting them Water Mission and the Green of famines and expansion of from illegal conversion. India Mission. The National area under agriculture was the There are several elements of Disaster Management Plan primary policy for achieving policy convergence supporting takes into account several non- food-security, wetlands were wetlands conservation and wise structural measures for flood and reclaimed under government use. The National Environment cyclone risk reduction measures

18 Wetlands International South Asia : Sarovar Issue VII|February 2021 operates multipleschemes to text ofRamsar Convention –yet wetlands asagreed to inthe to definitionof thewider India. TheMoEFCC subscribes agencies oftheGovernment of used by different Ministriesand and interpretation ofwetlands to wetlands. and makes direct reference identifies conservation ofriver 2012 (currently underrevision) associated ecosystems as an The National Water Policy of resources management and corridors, water bodiesand a basin approach for water multiplicity ofdefinition recommends adoptionof essential actionarea. A A tended to distinguishbetween Jal Shaktiontheotherhandhas wetland types. of TheMinistry fund conservation ofdifferent driver ofwetlands degradation being themostsignificant wetlands, despite agriculture Policy skirts any reference to at all.TheNational Agriculture does notusetheterm wetlands information onwater bodiesand System oftheMoWRincludes Water Resources Information another invarious ways. The and small,distinctfrom one of water, salty orfresh, large these entitiesto beany area a diffusedefinition,indicates for census ofwater bodiesuses the latter. Themanualprepared recommended to bedirected to bodies, restoration with efforts once, together water with 2012 mentionswetlands only The National Water Policy of wetlands andwater bodies. and in absence of complementary intervention to theirboundaries, issues, states limittheir boundaries. Dueto jurisdictional or even share international boundaries oftwo ormore states, - wetlands which straddle of transboundary wetlands gaps are glaringisinthecase An area where governance a transboundary wetlands Governing name oftheirpreservation. concretization ofwetlands inthe investing into beautificationand Development often endsup Mission oftheMinistryUrban worldwide. TheSmartCities brunt ofpatchy governance. ultimately degrades, bearingthe states, thewetland ecosystem or synergistic efforts from other 19 Flamingoes in Chhaya Rann (Dhavalkumar Vargiya) The Najafgarh Jheel, a transboundary wetland along Delhi-Haryana border is a flood buffer. buffer. is a flood border Delhi-Haryana along wetland Jheel, a transboundary The Najafgarh heronries. and supports several birds with migratory teems the wetland During winters,

The case of Pulicat, a fishers under tremendous stress. are precarious owing to high transboundary lagoon shared Najafgarh Jheel, a seismicity and liquefaction between Andhra Pradesh and transboundary wetland shared within the region. While the Tamil Nadu exemplifies this between Haryana and NCT wetland area which spanned governance deficit. Due to littoral of Delhi, is a critical natural over 200 square kilometer in the drift and silt from degrading infrastructure for the region, beginning of 20th century is not catchments, the mouth of the buffering floods, treating even one tenth of its regime at lagoon to the Bay of Bengal wastewater, recharging present, the two governments has choked, leading to rapid groundwater and providing continue to debate on the exact decline in migratory fisheries, habitat to numerous plant and boundary to be notified. water quality deterioration animal species. The Jheel has and growth of invasive species. been highly fragmented and Despite availability of good transformed, used as a waste International governance scientific knowledge, and receptacle, and infested with on wetlands restoration models (such as the invasive species. The Sahibi a one used in Chilika, Odisha) River, to which Najafgarh Jheel the two state governments are was the natural floodplain, Conventions and multilateral yet to come together to frame has been converted virtually environment treaties provide a joined-up management into a drain. The decimation the core of international legal plan. While the responsibility of wetlands has exposed the instruments for collaborative of conserving transboundary neighbouring settlements in and collective action on global wetlands ultimately rests with Haryana and NCT of Delhi to environmental challenges, the MoEFCC without support high risks of pluvial flooding including the continued loss and collaboration of states, the and reduced groundwater levels. and degradation of wetlands. efforts have come to a naught. Recent constructions within At core of international The lagoon continues to shrink, the wetlands, while impeding governance related to wetlands polluted, and its dependent hydrological connectivity are commitments related to the

20 Wetlands International South Asia : Sarovar three biodiversity conventions – meeting in February 2020, use of terrestrial and inland namely the Ramsar Convention that a decision to establish a freshwater ecosystems). In the on Wetlands, the Convention Secretariat in India and further final set of 100 SDG indicators on Biological Diversity, and the progress on implementation of used for constructing state and Convention on the Conservation action plan was made. In absence UT wise rankings for 2019-2020, of Migratory Species of of any concerted action, the only two (change in extent of Wild Animals. population trends of migratory waterbodies within forests under Under the Ramsar birds in the flyway are declining. SDG Goal 15, and percentage Convention, India is committed Considerable shortfalls of increase in area under mangroves to conservation of her entire protected area coverage for under SDG 14) relate to wetlands. wetland wealth, and ensure migratory species considering India ratified the Paris that management of Ramsar their requirements for protection Agreement in 2017, and in her Sites are in such standards across each of their seasonal Intended Nationally Determined that their global biodiversity ranges have been noted for Contribution (NDC) committed value is retained and enhanced. India, exposing these species to a to reduce the emission intensity In reality, however, much of multitude of threats. of GDP, increase share of non- the effort to date, has been on India is a signatory to the fossil-based energy sources, and increasing the List of Ramsar 2030 Agenda for Sustainable creating additional carbon sinks. Sites, without commensurate Development Goals, and in her Locking carbon in wetlands can effort on improving management statement to the High Level be a cost-effective option for and its effectiveness. Wetlands Political Forum on Sustainable delivering NDC commitments, such as Sambhar, despite being Development, expressed especially through rewetting of designated as a Ramsar Site for complete alignment of the peatlands, preventing thawing over three decades now, still national development agenda of permafrost, and avoiding does not have a clearly defined with the SDGs. In its fourth degradation of wetlands. The management plan. Ramsar Strategic Plan (2016- 2013 Supplement to the 2006 CMS provides an inter- 2024), the Convention identified IPCC Guidelines for National governmental framework for four goals and 19 targets, which Greenhouse Gas Inventories: cooperation on migratory species in its subsequent analysis, are Wetlands provide tiered within their migratory range. aligned with 10 of the 17 SDG methods to estimate carbon Migratory waterbirds, which goals. Such a comprehensive stock and stock difference with are ecologically dependent on alignment of role of wetlands varying levels of sophistication wetlands, connect continents, with the SDGs is however not to suit country capacities and hemispheres, cultures and reflected in the thinking at the contexts. However, in the societies through their seasonal national level. In the mapping portfolio of actions identified movements. India is at the of central sector schemes and for NDCs by India, wetlands heart of the Central Asian ministries with SDGs conducted are only indirectly connected Flyway, and over 70% of the by the Niti Aayog in 2018, through the interventions under waterbird species known to use wetlands were included only Green India Mission (which the flyway use Indian wetlands under two goals and targets – includes mangroves), and as a stopover site. The flyway namely, Target 6.6 (Protect and through pollution abatement comprises 30 countries, of which restore water related ecosystems) programmes in rivers. A major only 19 are parties to the CMS. and Target 15.1 (ensure barrier herein is knowledgebase Notable exceptions are Russia conservation and sustainable on the distribution of peatlands and China which have the bulk of species breeding ranges, to A which the Indian wetlands are the wintering sites. While a Under the Ramsar Convention, India is committed to conservation Central Asian Flyway Action of her entire wetland wealth, and ensure that management of Plan was formulated under the Ramsar Sites are in such standards that their global biodiversity framework of CMS way back in value is retained and enhanced. 2005, it was not until the CMS Conference of Contracting Parties A

Issue VII | February 2021 21 and permafrost in the country. The way ahead unanimous resolution to declare India is also a signatory to the a a 6.16 ha of a heritage lake in Sendai Framework for Disaster their village as a wetland. Risk Reduction, which was The continued and unabated Decentralization and adopted during the Third UN decline of natural wetlands in polycentricity hold the key World Conference on Disaster India calls for urgent focus on to wetlands governance. Risk Reduction in March 2015 getting the governance right for Governance arrangements to work towards making all conserving these ecosystems. should bring on board stakeholders disaster resilient Apparently, much needs stakeholders particularly local and significantly reduce the to be done – but the future communities on board, and loss of lives and assets. The should build on the elements include their views, rights Framework recognizes the developed so far, and learning and capacities while framing significance of ecosystems such from effectiveness of various regulation and management as wetlands in buffering extreme governance models. actions. Wise use, which provides events, and endorses use of Firstly, the focus should be ample bandwidth to incorporate ecosystem-based approaches for on creating accountability for wetlands use which are aligned disaster risk reduction. India’s wetlands conservation and with ecosystem functioning, National Disaster Management wise use, specially for those can be used as basis of defining Plan does include wetlands located outside the protected stakeholder engagement conservation as a flood and area network. The multiplicity strategies and dovetailing drought risk reduction measure, of ownership should be resolved wetlands conservation with and national guidelines do and a single agency must be developmental plans. encourage inclusion of wetlands entrusted with the responsibility However, merely allocating within the district disaster of their management and management responsibility management plans. upkeep. As per the National is not going to be enough – While the global Conventions Wetlands Atlas, over 80% of the capacities of these organisations set up an enabling environment wetlands are below 2.5 ha in size, to sustainably conserve and for wetlands conservation, and lying within the domains of manage wetlands will also need regional cooperation on India’s 0.8 million villages and to be built. State Wetland wetlands in South Asia has been towns. Such wetlands can be well Authorities need to be very difficult. The Himalayan placed within the administration backed up with the required Wetlands Initiative, which of Panchayat and Urban Local human and technical involved all Hindu Kush Bodies. The Gram Sabha of capacity to inventorize, Himalayan countries could not Jamsar Village in Palghar, monitor, regulate and take off despite over a decade Maharashtra recently passed a holistically manage of dialogue on the need for wetlands. Wetland conserving these wetlands. Authorities may be So much so, the October 2020 encouraged to build ‘Hindu Kush Himalaya Call for collaboration with Action to sustain mountain environments and improve livelihoods’ issued by ministers of eight countries made no direct reference to HAW in the call. Similarly, environment agenda for South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) precludes wetlands.

22 Wetlands International South Asia : Sarovar research and knowledge biodiversity values on long term has created an inverted incentive institutions to address technical basis. A process for assessing structure for the states, and capacity gaps and identify management effectiveness for a ‘project linked’ financing solutions to emerging issues such protected areas has already mindset. The states should be as addressing climate change been put in place by MoEFCC, urged to make allocations for induced risks. A systematic experiences of which can be wetlands conservation within capacity development tailored to useful in rolling out a similar their development plans as a part meet the needs to State Wetland programme for wetlands. of their commitment to maintain Authorities, district wetland Effective governance regimes their natural assets. Convergence committees and stakeholders is can also be enabled by ensuring financing approaches may core to building a cadre of trained policy coherence. While the also be given high priority – professionals who can support articulation of values of wetlands to enable accessing existing conservation and wise use in conservation sector policies development sector funds for of wetlands. is clear, similar messages are ecological outcomes. The Central The implementation of extant not conveyed by other sector Government’s flagship “Water regulatory regime, particularly policies such as water and for All Initiative” depends for Wetlands (Conservation and agriculture. A beginning can be its delivery on the network of Management) Rules, 2017 made by according wetlands a Gram Sabhas – each of which will need to be scaled up. The distinct category within land have received up to Rs 1.2 notification process will also use recording system. There million per year for undertaking ensure that regulation of access is ample scope for enhancing development works, which and developmental planning consideration of wetlands in SDG include water source protection, in the zone of influence is indicators which can also be used primarily wetlands. Such effectively put in place, at to incentivize states to perform convergence opportunities will least for the natural wetlands. on wetland conservation. need to be capitalized upon. The environmental impact Focused research on carbon The adaptiveness of assessment procedures may need locking potential of wetlands, governance regimes may be to be strengthened for projects specially within High Altitude addressed by creating learning involving wetlands, and ensure Wetlands can open up new and feedback opportunities, that all impacts of the project on areas of integrating wetlands driven by multidisciplinary wetlands are carefully assessed within NDCs. It is high time that science. The science-base and described to enable decision- India adopts a ‘No Net Loss of on wetlands will need to be making. Natural Wetlands’ as the guiding furthered focused on providing A system of periodic policy framework. quantitative assessments of management effectiveness The financial models for hydrological and ecological assessment may be put in place funding wetlands conservation functions, in usable forms for significant wetlands. This also needs to be reworked. and terms suited to sectoral will help assess the capability of Continuous dependence on policy-makers. Investments governance regimes in ensuring central government schemes for into research on use of wetlands that wetlands maintain their funding wetlands rejuvenation as nature-based solutions for health, and are able to provide sectoral challenges related to ecosystem services and maintain urbanization, water security and climate change can greatly improve sectoral integration.B Chilika fishers devised a nuanced a nuanced devised fishers Chilika on their based regime governance of ecosystem knowledge traditional International functioning. (Wetlands Library) South Asia Photo

Issue VII | February 2021 23 Governance Lessons from an Urban Wetland The Case of Pallikarnai Marsh of Chennai

Dr Jayshree Vencatesan, Chennai, the coastal capital located on the geo-coordinates Managing Trustee, CARE Earth Ccity of the most urbanized of 12.949371°N latitude and Trust, outlines conservation State of Tamil Nadu, is 80.218184°E longitude. characterized by a unique strategies for Pallikarnai, one presence of wetlands, lakes, of the last remaining natural ponds, human-made tanks, The Many Facets of wetlands of South India marshes and swamps (shallow Pallikarnai water system), backwater a estuaries organized in the form of complexes running from west The area around Pallikaranai to east. Marsh was historically the The city has had a complex natural water holding zone relationship with hydrological for the city of Chennai. For management in the recent past, defining the boundaries oscillating between waterlogging of Pallikaranai Marsh and and flooding to severe droughts. considering watersheds as units The key feature of this is the of demarcation, the landscape fact that the rainfall received under question is 231 sq. km, in has been consistent, placing which the remnant Pallikaranai the cause of these events on Marsh is centrally located. the poor management of the The more or less flat low-lying city’s wetlands. land has sustained an ecosystem Of these, one of the critical by draining the storm water wetlands is the Pallikaranai from large areas of southeast Marsh, amongst the few and Chennai into the Bay of Bengal. last remaining natural wetlands The aorta of this ecosystem is the of south India. Locally known narrow canal at Okkiyanmadavu by its generic Tamil name (a canal) that takes the Marsh’s ‘kazhuveli’, which means a water into the sea. Despite marsh or a waterlogged area It is the flow being interrupted by the Buckingham Canal during A the past 100-150 years, the Okkiyanmadavu has been vital to The area around Pallikarnai Marsh was historically the natural water the sustenance of the Pallikarnai holding zone for the city of Chennai. The Marsh is biodiversity rich Marsh by allowing the storm with studies by Care Earth Trust pegging numbers at 167 species of water to drain into the sea during birds, 100 species of fish and 141 species of plants which includes 29 the monsoons and letting the species of native grasses. seawater enrich the ecosystem A 24 Wetlands International South Asia : Sarovar Pallikarnai marsh situated at the heart of Chennai city is its primary flood buffer. It has shrunk rapidly due to reclamation, dumping of waste and choking of inflowing channels. (Jayshree Vencatesan)

Issue VII | February 2021 25 during the non-rainy months. accompanied by the degradation The entire ecology of the Marsh of adjoining wetlands within is sustained by the seasonal the landscape and the loss hydrology in general and the of hydrological processes as mixing of sea and freshwater a consequence. in particular. Within this loss, three broad The wetlands around the patterns can be discerned Marsh as well as the remnant • Large tracts of the marsh, forests such as Nanmangalam especially those along the are thus ecological extensions residential areas and erstwhile of the marsh. This entails that villages of Thoraipakkam, the watershed, christened as Pallikaranai and Perungudi the South Chennai Flood Plain, have been reclaimed into is redefined as the management terrestrial habitats and unit and it is important converted into residential to focus on protecting the colonies. hydrology of the South Chennai • The second loss is Wetland Complex. characterized by habitat The Marsh is biodiversity fragmentation wherein roads, rich with studies by Care Earth infrastructure, municipal Trust pegging numbers at 167 landfills and sewage species of birds, 100 species of treatment facilities have fish and 141 species of plants fragmented the marsh into which includes 29 species of smaller portions and grossly native grasses. impacted the natural drainage pattern. • The third is a direct The rapid decline consequence of the first of the marsh area two, as also the unscientific a manner of addressing flood control, wherein large tracts of A 2002 study by Care Earth Trust the marsh have been invaded established that the marsh area by invasive species of plants had a spread of 6000 Ha in the notably Prosopis juliflora and 1900s and subsequently suffered Water Hyacinth. a 90% loss of habitat resulting in • Despite the onslaught, the an area of only 593 ha. marsh has survived due This drastic reduction in area to its unique ecology – in has been largely caused due to being partly saline and a lack of understanding about largely freshwater. the importance of a marsh as a flood regulator for the city and as an environmentally highly From a ‘wasteland’ productive habitat. In light of to a protected area this, the marsh was utilized a for a number of urban centric anthropogenic activities such as The failure to recognize the roads, development of residential hydrological importance of the and industrial settlements, marsh stems from the persistence establishment of institutions and of archaic land classification. disposal of municipal solid waste According to the State Revenue and sewage. The actual decrease records the marshland was in wetland area has been classified as a ‘wasteland’. This

26 Wetlands International South Asia : Sarovar A led to fragmentation and large The wetlands around the Marsh as well as the remnant forests such parts were reclaimed to be as Nanmangalam are ecological extensions of the marsh. developed as residential and rehabilitation areas. A In 2007, the Government of Tamil Nadu, responding to • Maintain current wetland area the 54 wetlands identified as the science-based advocacy • Restore adequate water being components of the South programme of Care Earth retention in wetland and Chennai Wetland Complex need Trust and the Save Pallikaranai surrounding watershed(s) to be brought under the purview Marsh Forum, a civil society • Eliminate of the Conservation Authority for network that was forged as part groundwater depletion Pallikaranai Marsh. The two- of the advocacy programme, • Reduce ecological risk in tier structure of the Authority notified the southern portion wetland to acceptable levels offers a platform for civil society of the marsh, spanning 317 ha, • Attain sufficient social participation in conserving the initially as a Reserved Land valuation of wetland marsh, and this opportunity which was later upgraded to a • Restore species diversity needs to be effectively utilised. Reserve Forest. As the merit of • Maintain individual species In view of the significance protecting the marsh assumed and long-term anthropogenic centre stage, additional patches degradation of the Pallikaranai of the marsh were added to the Future-proofing Chennai Marsh, it is recommended that 317 ha, resulting in 690 ha of the a while the first five years of marsh being protected by 2014. the systematic management This was further consolidated The major sources of pollution beginning 2014 are considered by constituting a Conservation in Pallikaranai Marsh are large as the building blocks for the Authority for the Pallikaranai quantities of untreated and process, definition of certain Marsh. In a first for Tamil Nadu partially treated sewage water goals, notably those pertaining to the authority facilitated the and Perungudi Municipal Solid habitat improvement need to be existence of a Project Executive Waste dump, spread over an addressed in blocks of five years. Committee comprising of expanse of 78 Ha. Pallikaranai An expanding city and stakeholders. Interestingly, marsh is largely affected by the consequent increase in the Pallikaranai marsh is the organic waste disposal and densification necessitate smallest range in Tamil Nadu contamination as is indicated that natural areas, especially with a dedicated presence of by the high levels of Chloride wetlands be managed with staff. In recognition of the need and Sulphate and alarmingly utmost care. The euphoria to draft a locale and situation high concentrations of the heavy of having a biodiversity rich appropriate management plan metals known to be carcinogenic wetland within the city may lose for the marsh, the authority in nature. its sheen when there are more initiated the process of drafting Research has indicated charismatic demands for land. a comprehensive management that about 700-800 tankers For instance, the sudden and plan in 2013-14. extract water within 3 km of steep increase in real estate value In 2014, Care Earth Trust the Pallikaranai marsh either by of the marsh being declared a RF drafted this Comprehensive directly pumping water from the has had a corollary of demand Management Plan based wetlands or through bore-wells, for public infrastructure. Much on the notion of Adaptive which needs to be managed like the growing call for gardens Management, which is a flexible, as it is unsustainable as well and paved walkways and inclusive and knowledge-based as unregulated. lighting. This list is only bound approach. This plan accords It is therefore critical that to increase in the foreseeable equal consideration to people areas identified as wetland/ future. It is hence important and nature and in a manner is marsh areas must be protected to manage the wetland for a reconciliation of conservation by annexing the same to the strengthening its ecosystem and development goals. existing Pallikaranai Marshland services by ensuring that the The Adaptive Management RF and areas outside the ambit ecological integrity of the marsh targets formulated include of being part of RF, notably is not compromised. B

Issue VII | February 2021 27 Integrating Wetlands in Land Records Experiences of Uttar Pradesh

The Government of Uttar Wetlands of Uttar Pradesh and largest urban systems in Pradesh has made a a the country with a tremendous landmark effort to include water footprint. Increasing The three physiographic intensity of agriculture, and wetlands within land records divisions of Uttar Pradesh are intensive chemical agro-inputs of the state to deter any dotted with diverse wetlands have further increased water illegal conversion and ranging from wet grasslands of intensity and pollution loading. encroachment. In this article, the Terai, riverine wetlands of the Wetlands are thus under intense Sanjay Srivastava, Additional Gangetic plains and ponds and development pressure, and often Principal Chief Conservator tanks of the Vindhyan hills and encroached or converted for of Forests and Authorized plateau. These wetlands play a alternate usages, polluted and Officer, Uttar Pradesh central role in ensuring food and fragmented thus altering their State Wetlands Authority water security to the region, and natural character. are icons of cultural diversity. presents an account of how As per the National Wetlands this massive exercise was Atlas, the state has 12.4 million Wetlands Governance in implemented on ground. ha of natural and human-made Uttar Pradesh wetlands. Conserving these a fragile ecosystems is a high policy priority for the state – Within the state government also acknowledging the high set-up, conservation and biodiversity values including management of wetlands is the iconic Sarus Cranes Grus placed under the charge of the antigone, the state bird, which Department of Environment, inhabits the shallow agricultural Forest and Climate Change. wetlands of the state, and the The department’s vision Swamp Deer Rucerves duvaucelli places emphasis on wetlands which is the state animal. conservation, pollution Wetlands of Uttar Pradesh abatement and improved water are located within high intensity use efficiency. Conservation development settings. The highly and rejuvenation of human- fertile Gangetic floodplains made wetlands constructed for are intensively cultivated, irrigating farmlands, storing with waters distributed over a rainwater and recharging 74,200-kilometer-long network groundwater is also promoted by of irrigation canals, supported Department of Agriculture. by over 130 dams and reservoirs Recognizing multiplicity and 20 major barrages. With over of government departments 630 municipalities, the state has which implement programs one of the densest populations related to wetlands, the GoUP,

28 Wetlands International South Asia : Sarovar as per direction of GOI, issued constituted in 2009 was brought Ministry of Environment, Forest vide letter dated 19.01.2005, under the ambit of the Authority. and Climate Change. The State Integrating Wetlands constituted the Uttar Pradesh 14 wetlands of high Wetlands Atlas, providing details State Wetlands Steering ornithological value have been of district-wise wetlands extent Committee in 2006 under designated as bird sanctuaries were also published in the in Land Records the chairmanship of the Chief under the provision of the same year. Secretary. The Committee Wildlife Protection Act (1972), Taking into cognizance the provided an inter-departmental and are managed on the basis data presented in the state atlas, coordination mechanism for of plans prepared in conformity the State Steering Committee Experiences of Uttar Pradesh various wetland related issues, with the regulatory regimes. decided to include all wetlands including identification of The State has also designated enlisted in the Atlas in revenue priority wetlands, reviewing seven wetlands as Wetlands of records. The committee opined and approving wetlands International Importance under that such a measure would management plans, capacity the Ramsar Convention, thus prevent encroachment and development of line agencies and expressing the commitment to conversion of wetlands into research and development. wise use and maintenance of alternate usages. In 2009, the GoUP ecological character. Land records since the British constituted district-level times have been designed to wetland committees. These meet revenue needs of the committees are headed by the The Decision to Enter government. Although forests District Collector, and have Wetlands in Land Records and rivers find a place within the District Agriculture Officer, a the land classification system, Superintending Engineer of wetlands do not have a distinctly the Irrigation Department, In 2011, the National Wetlands identified place in the system. District Fisheries Officer, and Atlas was published by the The land records in Uttar the Divisional Forest Officer Space Application Center Pradesh are prepared on the as the Member Secretary. The under the National Inventory basis of eight types, which have committee was entrusted and Assessment Project of the further been classified into 25 with the task of surveying and demarcating wetlands of the district, creating a database on their current situation, and priority ranking for conservation and management needs based on traditional, social and economic contexts. The committee was directed to forward the list of surveyed wetlands to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife). The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 were notified by the MoEFCC in September 2017. In line with the notification, the GoUP constituted the Uttar Pradesh State Wetlands Authority with the Hon’ble Minister (Environment) as the Chairperson and Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) as the Member Secretary. The

District Wetlands Committee photo) (istock Pradesh of Uttar bird state Sarus Crane,

Issue VII | February 2021 29 A sub-types. Each land record is The Process assigned to one of the land types, a Enlisting wetlands in based on the surveys conducted the land records is an by the department, and approved For incorporation of wetlands in important foundation for at the district level by the the land records, the government wetlands conservation in District Collector. decided to bank on the district In 2013, the Forest administration, which under the Uttar Pradesh. Through this Department sought the District Collector, is inter alia, process wetlands parcels directions of the Revenue responsible for administration are clearly identified and Department on the specific of land and related matters. The recorded, their conversion into land category under which state has an extensive network alternate usages is rendered wetlands could be recorded. of 75 districts, which have extremely complicated, and The department advised that all been grouped into 18 divisions, thus is expected to act as wetlands could be placed under guiding developmental planning a strong deterrent against category 6 (non-agricultural in 822 blocks, nearly fifty-two land), sub category (1) – land thousand Panchayats and 0.1 their encroachment. covered with water. The million villages. A department also advised linking In line with the decisions areas of such land parcel with of the Eighth Wetland the particular land record. In Steering Committee, the GoUP 2014, the State Wetland Steering communicated the district wise Committee in its 8th meeting list of wetlands to the concerned decided that all wetlands enlisted District Collector, requesting in the Uttar Pradesh State them to validate the list and Wetlands Atlas also be recorded include incorporation in the in the land record under the sub- corresponding land records. category 6 (1). Worried over slow progress, directions for speeding up the wetland identification process

Pelicans at Sur Sarovar (Diwaker Saxena)

30 Wetlands International South Asia : Sarovar were issued at the level of Chief Way Ahead but one line of action towards Secretary, and progress was a securing a safe future for our assessed in detail during the wetlands. This needs to be ninth meeting. Enlisting wetlands in the complemented by affirmative The district administration land records is an important actions for conserving wetlands subsequently designated their foundation for wetlands by ensuring that their natural network of field officers to visit conservation in Uttar Pradesh. hydrological regimes are the identified site, corelate Through this process, not only maintained, pollution is abated, the wetland data with land wetlands parcels are clearly resources are harvested on records, and identify land parcels identified and recorded, their a sustainable basis, and all which fell under the wetland conversion into alternate forms of plant and animal life category. Post-verification, the usages is rendered extremely are protected. This requires land records of the wetland tedious and complicated, and substantive efforts in improving parcels were updated on the thus is expected to act as a managerial capability within the online portal. strong deterrent against their frontline staff, both in terms of By the 10th meeting held in encroachment. The institution human resources and skill sets, July 2016, the herculean task of of State Wetlands Authority and as well as in terms of monitoring incorporating 133,484 wetlands District Wetlands Committees infrastructure. Interventions in land records was completed provide a rich institutional in wetlands need to be guided in the entire state. Notably, architecture, wherein all policy, by well-meaning action plans, the number of wetlands finally regulatory and programming which are systematically recorded were higher than those matters related to wetlands monitored and adapted as listed in the State Wetlands can be discussed with line per needs. The Authority is Atlas. In only 19 districts did the departments and stakeholders. developing a collaboration list of wetlands as indicated in The Authority is currently the framework with several the Atlas corresponded with the process of notifying important knowledge institutions so that field records. wetlands situated in 9 Agro best possible skillsets could be Climatic Zone, under the used for supporting on-ground provisions of Wetlands Rules. management actions. B Regulation, however, is

Issue VII | February 2021 31 Documenting Wetlands Through Community Participation Experiences from Konkan Division

Sachin Desai, Trustee, Beginning how we have been documenting Syamantak shares the of the Journey activities and processes. The exprience of documenting a experience (of undertaking Wetland Brief Documentation) wetlands of Konkan Division Sindhudurg Wetland Brief covers all the four aspects. It in Maharashtra – a process Documentation Committee started with a curiosity about that involved local civil society became the entity that acted on surroundings and is on-going members, administration and ground visiting and studying still, with a sense of wisdom. the judicial system of India. wetlands across the Konkan Wetland Brief Documentation Region of Maharashtra. is a journey of on ground Curiosity, information, activities, sharing of knowledge, knowledge and wisdom could be volunteering, participative seen as four aspects of why and ways of working and mainly the

32 Wetlands International South Asia : Sarovar ideation and imagination of the intelligence or ideas. Perhaps, the A future. At the end, it’s shaped by district administration would human minds, and therefore, has have been well within its rights Wetlands - a vast area of study its own positives and negatives. not to invite Syamantak, but it and in reality, is still just a part In the year 2018 a committee did and that was a key event that of an infinity known as nature. was formed to take upon set the course ahead to where itself the documentation of this journey has reached. A wetlands in the Konkan Region “Nature does not that any one of us can do! of Maharashtra. It wasn’t a compartmentalise”. Even if That points to a real-life fact sudden, out of the blue decision, senior executives at District that information, knowledge of course. The path to this day Collectorate are in the and wisdom lies with not one was paved by many previous Revenue Department, they entity but in the society, as a attempts such as “Vanashakti can constructively pursue or whole. Government and local Vs State of Maharashtra ' act on environmental issues administration bodies are ' case and the NGT with other departments and merely limited, human-made intervention on violations at civil society members, in representations of the society Dhamapur Lake. Syamantak, an liaison. Former Collector Mr. of that time. They are useful organisation in Dhamapur had Uday Chaudhari, Additional tools in addressing short- and already begun understanding Collector Mr. Mangesh Joshi and long-term situations. But the and documenting issues around the Former RDC, Sindhudurg underlying layer - the society the Dhamapur Lake. The local Mr, Vijay Joshi are some of has much more to offer and deal district administration took a the government officials who with. To cover such a vast canvas, note of Symantak’s experience understood the importance of it is important (rather needed) and invited the representatives wetlands and facilitated the brief to involve various stakeholders. for a meeting to discuss and documentation process in their It will be just impossible to decide on the next steps on own capacities. “What is needed imagine that a representative documenting the wetlands in is “Ichcha Shakti” (willingness) person or office, even with Konkan Region. It takes only of the officer and not the better resources would be able sincerity for a resourceful entity training”, stated Mr. Vijay Joshi, to even touch all the aspects to cause something better for the Former RDC, Sindhudurg of wetland documentation. As the environment and society, not when asked to comment on the such “documentation” in itself documentation activity. is just a representation of a deep understanding of a thorough study. In the meeting, Syamantak The Approach put forth this approach of towards Documentation bringing together experts a and locals under a committee to replace a single person Wetlands - a vast area of study representation. The resultant and in reality, is still just a part of structure of stakeholders had an infinity known as nature. representation from the High Hence, documentation of Court, State Environment wetlands related to many aspects Ministry, District Collectors, of life and in a minimalistic way, Tehsildars and lastly, the formal studies. Botany, zoology, Wetland Committee. archaeology, geography, soil chemistry, revenue records, tourism, history, education, Civil Society District sociology, mythology, Wetland Committee anthropology are only a few to a name. And one can liberate one’s mind to keep adding relevant The Wetland Brief

Dhampur Lake (Sachin Desai) Dhampur Lake subjects. And this is something Documentation Committee

Issue VII | February 2021 33 Table 1 - Current statistics of wetlands enlisted and documented for non-active participation could be that these departments Index Specifications/District Sindhudurg Raigad Thane Palghar Total are not under the influence of 1 Wetland mapped on 377 1760 1895 4032 District Administration. The Wetland Atlas other possibility is that these 2 Wetland sites 64 130 132 87 413 departments did not see their mentioned in role, may be due to ignorance. the list provided by environment However, the natural progression department to DCs is indifferent to whether we and our governance understand our 3 Wetland sites 57 87 111 59 314 verified in the Brief role or not. Documentation Process

4 Wetland Verification 57 6 8 4 75 Ground Truthing of Wetland Reports submitted by Brief Documentation District Collector to High Court Shallow Water and Deep- Water Ecosystems a formed on the order of the a note of the vast amount of District Collector consisted remaining work that lies ahead The dams coming under of citizenry (members) from (as human beings). Minor-irrigation Department the local community as the Years of collective experience are basically human-made backbone of this endeavour. and wisdom across the globe, lakes formed due to the bund Among various tools that the underlines the important aspect constructed to stop the flow government had already devised, of planned governance. Even of streamlets coming from there was a mobile application in the most genuine cases of underground and the adjoining developed by the Environment such interventions, various mountains and forest. For Department for ground truthing arms of the government need instance, Dr Aprna Phadke, of wetlands in Maharashtra. to work together, from different Assistant Professor, Geography Syamantak was invited by all directions. The official list Department, Mumbai University District Collectors to help them of wetlands maintained and mapped 64 streamlets feeding in replicating the model of provided by Department of the Dhamapur Lake-Wetland. brief documentation through Environment, mentions sites The Water Irrigation Department community participation in from four districts in the Konkan had never bothered to document, their respective districts. But division (Sindhudurg, Raigad, protect and conserve these unlike Sindhudurg, the District Thane and Palghar). 51% of these streamlets, while the Forest Collectors of Ratnagiri, Raigad, sites are minor irrigation dams Department is another ill- Thane and Palghar, on pretext of that are under the jurisdiction informed department on this Wetland Rule 2017, excluded sites of the Department of Water and issue. One must understand from this documentation, which Irrigation. 39% Lake-dams in that there is direct relation of were minor irrigation dams. The Palghar and 17% in Sindhudurg plantation to the water reservoir status is mentioned in Table 1. are under the control of and its water quality. In many It is important to note here Village Panchayat or Revenue wetland sites, the adjoining land that the number of identified Department. Such is the role of comes under jurisdiction of the wetlands is considerably higher various arms of government at Forest Department, where they than the documented ones. local level. As Syamantak started had planted invasive species in And the number of submitted participating, to our dismay, it the vicinity of the water reservoir. documents upward [row 4] is a became evident that the Water A vivid example of this is the lot lesser than the ones prepared Irrigation department and Forest 50-year-old Jaisagar Dam in [row 3]. While we can take a department were inactive in the Jawahar Taluka – the only source glimpse of content for the desired collective effort. The meetings of drinking water for the city. work is that is on-going, it is were held under the direct orders During our field visit, we found even more important to take of District Collectors. The reasons that there wasn’t a single drop

34 Wetlands International South Asia : Sarovar of water in the reservoir. Huge entire habitats functionally to its rich biodiversity. Any plans invasive plantation was already unable to support the species to plant invasive species would made by the Forest Department. present; biodiversity is reduced destroy this rich habitat and the Species like Akeshia, Gulmohar, in this process when existing Forest Owlets in return”. Another Suru can be seen in the wetland organisms in the habitat are example is the Jayakwadi Dam area of the reservoir. It should displaced or destroyed. wetland, an earthen dam in be noted that similar to Wetland Tansa Dam Wetland in Thane Jayakwadi village in Paithan Rule 2010 and 2017, other district is another example. This taluka of Aurangabad district rules and acts do not restrict dam is a vital source of water which hosts many rare species. plantation of mono-cropping to Thane and Mumbai. The Due to variation of plant species alien species. Neither do they area around the reservoir is a and fishes in the water; some encourage plantation of native wildlife sanctuary conserved by migratory species of birds arrive species in wetland areas of water the local Adivasis for ages. The during winter. Because of its reservoirs. Both Water Irrigation richness of shallow water body shallowness, aquatic flora found and the Forest department are (a.k.a wetland) in the back- inside the water body, grows either not aware or are ignorant waters attributes to the native from the bottom of the reservoir of this fact. In the case of Jaisagar Adivasis who have invested to the surface that attracts dam, it was observed that the generations to conserve it. The different kinds of migratory destroyed shallow water area forest around the reservoir is birds. The sanctuary is a man- (a.k.a. wetland) has impacted home to Pipal, Banyan, Sissoo and made reservoir that was created the deep-water ecosystem of the other native species. According after construction of Jayakwadi water reservoir. It is the need of to Mr. Avinash Bhagar and Ms. dam in 1975. the hour for policy makers and Clara Correia (member of Thane Environment and life are administration to understand Wetland Brief Documentation interrelated. Therefore, by that digging deep into the Committee), “Forest owlet”, merely pointing the Wetland ground is the correct way to endemic (categorised as CR, rule 2017, the position taken by increase water storage capacity some 100-400 acc. to BI 2014) Environment Department of and improve the quality of water. to the forests of central India is Maharashtra in the High Court, Habitat destruction renders found at Tansa Dam Wetland due ‘to exclude dams which provide Documenting process at Jaysagar Dam (Sachin Desai) Dam at Jaysagar process Documenting

Issue VII | February 2021 35 water for drinking and irrigation with environment are the main species do not flourish in the from Wetland notification” is in drivers behind this reasoning. presence of such invasive species. contrast with the Article 21 of the If wetland fulfils the criteria of The Water Irrigation Department Indian Constitution. Ecosystem services (Section 4) is not aware of this issue. There and the listing of all available is no coordination between the scientific resources, reports Fisheries Department and the Wetland Rules and pertaining to the wetland Water Irrigation Department. Maharashtra Irrigation (Section 10) of the Wetland Brief Act, 1976 Documentation Format then a as mentioned in Chart 1, the Exploitation of Wetlands district administration cannot a The Definition and the mark wetland as ‘not verified’ Guidelines of the Wetland Rules, only because the site is human- Urbanisation puts huge strain 2017, procedure for notification made water body which provides on water reservoirs, effectively of wetlands are contradictory water for drinking as well as impacting the wetlands. and violates the Ramsar irrigation purpose. In doing so, Maharashtra Irrigation Act Convention as well as Article the Government of Maharashtra 1976 exists, but no rules have 21 and Article 48 A- Directive has violated Articles 14, 21, been laid out. In 1976 word Principle of State policy and 48-A, and 51-A of the Indian “wetlands” was mentioned the Article 51-A – Fundamental Constitution. The state has not and it was guided to make the duties of the Indian Constitution. yet verified the wetlands in rules. However, 2010 Wetland Our Legislature admits in the Maharashtra. Thus, disregarded Rule gives three exceptions – first paragraph of Wetland Rule its statutory duties. There Forest dept. CRZ and wildlife are 2017, that the Wetlands are should be scientific investigation exempted. Wetlands in these vital parts of the hydrological and analysis of the brief areas are out of wetland rules. cycle, and the highly productive documentation. For example the The Konkan Wetlands mostly ecosystems which support rich district administration of Konkan come under CRZ. The legislation biodiversity and provide a wide division completed this part should have made rules based range of ecosystem services too, again, with the help of civil on geographical variation in such as water storage, water society community members. Maharashtra. Wetlands are a part purification, flood mitigation etc. After excluding wetland sites of the Ramsar Agreement. These In our experience, the very list of from the Wetland Atlas, 50% sites contribute to irrigation and such services becomes the reason sites are minor dams in the list electricity generation. However, behind why individuals and provided by the Environment there is a contrast that within organisations must participate Department of Maharashtra to Maharashtra, similar wetlands in initiatives such as Wetland District Collectors for wetland are designated as human-made Brief Documentation. The brief documentation. The state and hence Wetland Rules do not livelihood and then perhaps, Department of Irrigation should apply to them! Both the common the understanding of being one therefore incorporate rules for man and administration are wetlands under section 4 of the confused about the rules. A Maharashtra Irrigation Act,1976. In fact, the Irrigation Department The natural world is has the opportunity to make Why Wetland Notification disappearing in cities rules as per the guidelines Is Need of the Hour in and there is a need of an of wetland rules 2017, for Konkan Region urgent call from lawmakers protection and conservation of a and the administration wetland which will facilitate to look into the policy conservation of water reservoirs • Unique physiography with an and implementation of by Nature’s Rule. undulating terrain and narrow activities on the name of In some dam-wetlands coastal plains. invasive fish are introduced by • Receives heavy rainfall beautification. contractors. For example, Tilapia averaging to about 3000 mm. A is an invasive species. Other • Region has dense forests and

36 Wetlands International South Asia : Sarovar Creation of a recreational park near the Chakreshwar Lake (Sachin Desai) Lake the Chakreshwar near park of a recreational Creation

Bound by the Arabian Sea Urban Handling of Lacustrine administration to look into the to its west and the Western Wetlands – A Disappearing policy and implementation Ghats to its east, identified Vulnerable Ecosystem of activities on the name of as ‘Eco-Sensitive’ according a beautification. During the to the High-Level Working survey, the team was welcomed Group on Western Ghats. Many architectural proposals at Chakreshwar Talao in Vasai • Earthen dams are important of wetlands and lakes in with a foul smell of dead fish and are seen a lot in Konkan, Maharashtra are built with pure floating which is apparently a because there is almost no aesthetic and functional point common scene at the lake. On other way to store water. of view without any regards to inquiring further, the private Hence, the lakes are present conservation of the ecological security guard informed that due to these earthen dams. services of the wetland, hence the foul smell was a common transforming a full of life active at Chakreshwar Talao and All these geological, ecological wetland body to just a lifeless the neighbours have been features exhibit the need for tank. Wetlands in urban areas complaining about it for a protection and conservation of are reclaimed. These urban lakes long time. wetlands in Konkan. have lost their riparian zones Two major factors were Konkan’s geography makes due to so called beautification evident in this case - lack of it important to have micro- and development projects of oxygen in the water body and dam-based storage. As a whole, local administration. Conserving presence of invasive species in the policy in India, at least in the riparian zones will enable the lake. Chakreshwar Talao is in Maharashtra needs to consider restoration of these lakes and front of an ancient Chakreshwar geographical variance across wetlands around them, and temple. The temples and lake the land. One policy cannot be nature will take care of itself. are connected with ancient applied to every place. Dams, There is a strong reason why wisdom stories which tell the Forest and CRZ are protected lakes in cities should be notified story of the purity of water and and so, the government argues under the Wetland Rule. The rich ecology in ancient times. that these sites do not need lakes in Thane, Palghar and The beautification of lake which wetland notification. However, Raigad under the jurisdiction is lauded by local politicians notification is not just about of municipal corporations are has some common elements: protection it has also to do with transformed into concrete Fibre toys installed near lakes conservation of wetlands thus water tanks. The natural world are another example of dead understanding the ecology of is disappearing in cities and investment with the nexus of wetland ecosystem. there is a need of an urgent lawmakers and local contractors. call from lawmakers and the Unhygienic spaces like public

Issue VII | February 2021 37 A

The two realities need to be handled appropriately, to find an optimal balance for maximising societal wellbeing. It has become evident that the fate of wetlands depends on human attitudes and activities, and that incorporating cultural values can be beneficial for conservation. A toilets with poor conditions increased biodiversity, economic Non-biodegradable materials and unsustainable discharge savings and reduced presence and synthetic paints used for were reported to be present on of allergy-triggering weeds. making these idols are posing wetlands in cities like Vasai, (Source: British Ecological serious threats to aquatic life and Thane and Palghar. Reclamation Society, Dec 19, 2019) It increases environment. Ornamental Fish and Concretization of edges in pollinators, increases plant are introduced in water bodies Urban wetlands leaving with no diversity and even a modest while there is no awareness riparian zone. Concretization of reduction in lawn mowing generated and therefore there are boundary of wetlands disturbs frequency can bring a host of no checks on people/authorities the very important riparian environmental benefits: At the introducing ornamental fish etc. zone which gives services like same time, a longer, healthier in the fresh water body. filtration of water, groundwater lawn makes it more resistant recharge, nesting and food for to pests, weeds, and drought birds and fishes events. Native biodiversity lawn, Disconnection of Lawns & ornamental plants butterfly park, birding parks etc. Rural Communities require high maintenance and are synchronised ideas, even if a water consumption. Instead, the whole thought is reduced lawn can be used for pathways to “beautification” in the Lake Skywalk construction in replacing the concrete pathways. areas. Idol immersion activities Dhamapur Lake, fishing Reducing the intensity of lawn are adding to the pollution contracts in dams of Palghar mowing in urban spaces leads to load of the water bodies. and beautification of lakes in Artefact discovered around Jamsar Lake (Sachin Desai) Lake Jamsar around discovered Artefact

38 Wetlands International South Asia : Sarovar Construction on the edges of Kolote Moashi (Sachin Desai) Moashi of Kolote on the edges Construction

Thane, Raigad & Palghar districts the kind of activities going on at well. Some of the local varieties are examples of nexus of local Kolote Mokashi Lake. of fish that were found in the politicians and contractors. Our The misuse of this lake is an area were Boi, Chivni, Khajri and natural heritage is threatened eye opener for other villages in Jhila. The fish used to settle well by these politicians-contractors Maharashtra. All the lands on in the waters and both the fish nexuses. On the pretext of the edge of the lake have been as well as the rice were collected facility and beautification some purchased by the rich urbans together. Both of them together whimsical structures have been and Bollywood giants. Due to fulfilled the purpose of earning erected, damaging the ecology the presence of high-profile their livelihoods for them. and creating threat. By these landowners we were able to During those times, the tracks or activities, there is erosion of the survey only three to four sites paths for the flow of water were very foundation of sustainable but it was an unforgettable completely natural, as also there economies, livelihoods, food experience. Resorts and used to be a creek. There was security, health and quality farmhouses have sprung up little urbanization of the land in of life in the Konkan region around the lake and in addition, those days. So, though the land of Maharashtra. swimming pools, guest houses, used to be waterlogged after the Survey to the Kolote Mokashi resorts have been built literally rains, over a period of time, the Lake site in Khalapur taluka in inside the lake. The visible water used to dissipate naturally Raigad district was a nightmare culture of the village or the from one stream to the other and experience during the survey in traditional businesses do not eventually flow into the nearby Raigad district. Kalote Mokashi exist anymore. Till date there creek on its own. But nowadays lake is surrounded by lush had been violations on the banks due to the urbanization of the green hills on three sides, and of wetlands but here there have land, there is only one outlet for a gorgeous lake. A day before been violations in the lake itself. all the water to drain out from the survey, the tehsildar had These violations were reported the fields. Due to the natural called the staff of the concerned to authorities but they fell on maintenance of the water level in department and held a meeting deaf ears. the fields, the crops used to grow with us at his office. During In the Khajan land, popularly well and hold the soil firmly. But the surveys, we had held such known as Gogte salt pan in now, because of extensive water meetings in every taluka. But in Vasai, farmers used to grow a logging and mixing of nearby this meeting, some elders from specific variety of rice known drainage water with the water Koloshi -Mokashi village had as Khara Bhat (Salty Red Rice). body, rice farming is becoming especially come to meet us. They Traditionally along with rice more and more difficult. Many requested us to come and see farming, they used to fish as of the natural inlets and outlets

Issue VII | February 2021 39 Improper waste disposal in Nirmal Lake (Sachin Desai) Lake in Nirmal disposal waste Improper of water are closed now. Also, available to us through the such high-density clusters of earlier mangroves were far natural inlets and outlets of the artefacts are rare. away and the creeks used to be waters in and out of the fields. During the survey, the team wider. But now, because of soil The rice is softer than the normal identified ancient temples on erosion and deposition in the freshwater varieties of rice. the banks of the lakes. The creek, the level of the creek water In the village of Jamsar, near rituals and religious beliefs has gone down and mangrove the wetland site of Pazar Talav of locals which are associated growth has increased. According there is a temple situated which with the sites, artefacts and to the rules of the Government is known as the Lord Shiva the wetland landscape are on mangroves, it is difficult Temple. A large number of carved very clear. The bonding of to displace them. Further, the stones were found in the vicinity locals with the landscape, with problem is aggravated during of the temple. When asked about the sites and their lifestyle high tides as this water cannot be them it was known that these has significant relation. The emptied at all. were old artefacts. Hence, an importance of the site, and its The number of fish compared extensive four-day exploration location is unbelievably strong. to earlier times has reduced was carried out at the site. The artefacts give a unique drastically. During the survey, the The artefacts found near the Identity and significance to the team met traditional farmer from Jamsar Lake wetland site were location, also the artefacts are local community Mr. Hemant considerably high in number and the milestones of development Patil on Khajan Land. Expressing and evolution of humans and the his concern, he said, “In fact, in landscape together. A some days we dread that we will Although the site with not find any freshwater fishes Traditional management practices, artefacts cannot be protected in the fields and hence, we will spiritual and sacred values, alone as a singular entity, it has have no option but to resort to to be protected on a landscape varied forms of knowledge and the marine salt water fishes. The level, as the sites are across a expressions of these, represent types of fish that we used to find significant distance and shows in our fields used to be( Indian examples of the benefits that the spread of Archeologically White Mullet), Kala (Indian humans derive from wetlands important landscape. The same Salmon), Jhinga (Prawns), while at the same time they landscape is also under human Khajuri, Warashi and many other often provide the key to habitation and cultivation, types of fish used to be found. successful conservatio if the right protection is not These fish used to be perennially A given to the site then there is

40 Wetlands International South Asia : Sarovar a high chance of losing such a A urban and rural areas of significant piece of information. Konkan Division. Traditional management The two realities need to be practices, spiritual and handled appropriately, to find an sacred values, varied forms of optimal balance for maximising Envisioning knowledge and expressions societal wellbeing. It has become Experience Outcomes of these, represent examples evident that the fate of wetlands a of the benefits that humans depends on human attitudes and derive from wetlands while activities, and that incorporating Wise development which at the same time they often would entail – educational cultural values can be beneficial provide the key to successful and historical tourism can be conservation. The local people for conservation. This aspect is an promoted, based on training of are victims of false propaganda appropriate tool for promotion of the departments themselves. of beautification which in reality wise experiential and community- To fill the gaps and integrate is a revenue generating model based tourism in Konkan. them together. So, there should for opportunists. Riparian zone A be an ecological relationship destruction to make artificial among departments. Eco- structures, fountains (which promotion of wise experiential sensitive architectural design bring algae). and community-based tourism firm Design Jatra’s participation The Ramsar Convention has in Konkan. gave the recommendations to the been addressing the issue of Government on faulty designs. the cultural aspects of wetlands But there are no indications that for over ten years, which is Need of An Eco-Sensitive the Environment Department highlighted in its original Architectural Design and has taken any action as yet. It text. They have reaffirmed Planning of Wetlands was suggested by Syamantak the myriad ways in which a that every district should have culture is fundamental to a common facility, a wetland wetland conservation. Culture There is a need of applying a research and conservation centre is described by some as a multidisciplinary approach initiated by local educational fourth “pillar of sustainability” towards restoration, design and institutions. Learning about (alongside the environmental, management of Wetlands. An wetlands through such a social and economic) and eco- sensitive landscape architect centre will bring forth to by others as running in an would provide design input and students, the subjects - botany, integrative way through all expertise that would improve zoology, history, archaeology the other three. Cultural human or social benefits and from different institutions. considerations are avoided engagement with a restored The funds should be diverted in specialised multilateral wetland ecosystem, such as to such research centres where agreements, such as UNESCO through the creation of view students will come up with and its World Heritage capes, places for respite and ideas and use the Wetland App Convention. Perhaps they education, or other recreational developed by the Environment underestimate the significance of opportunities. These are the sorts Department, GoM. This should integration of nature and culture of benefits that appeal to locals, be made open to public for in the management of wetlands. municipal officials, even tourists community participation in The two realities need to be which can translate to increased wetland brief documentation in handled appropriately, to find an public support for wetland different seasons and intervals. optimal balance for maximising restoration efforts. Every district should have societal wellbeing. It has become (Source: www.aswm.org) their own Wetland Website evident that the fate of wetlands Design Jatra, a group of for e.g. sindhudurgwetlands. depends on human attitudes and young eco-sensitive architects in and lastly, wetland activities, and that incorporating voluntarily submitted their village/wards should have a cultural values can be beneficial report on Eco-Sensitive village/ward museum with for conservation. This aspect Architectural Design and a mini herbarium. B is an appropriate tool for Planning of Wetlands in

Issue VII | February 2021 41 Citizen Science for Wetlands 30 years of the Asian Waterbird Census

Dhruv Verma, Technical Officer, and linkages with day-to-day for specialists and no longer Wetlands International South life. Through assumptions, remained a field for generalists Asia and Dr Asghar Nawab, experiments, trials, and to engage in. Due to lack of validation, the then citizen inclusiveness, accessibility and Programme Head (Ecology), scientists paved foundation of societal relevance, the current Wetlands International fundamentals in science. For regime of science is believed to South Asia discuss the instance, Audubon, an avid be in crisis. But, as evolution accomplishments of the hunter was naturally curious is inevitable, the natural longest running citizen science and put together the first ‘Birds science evolved as field of both programme for wetlands of America’ collection, and then specialists, generalists and even in India. the ‘Ornithological Biographies’. enthusiasts. Recognition of the Alexander von Humboldt was crisis brings forth the modern a naturalist who viewed the era concept of citizen science, world as an interconnected which pitches to democratize The potential of reducing system governed by biodiversity, the science and promote public Cthe human footprint on geography and climate, and laid participation in scientific earth through citizen foundation for contemporary research and communication. It awareness and mobilisation is concept of biogeography. These includes collaboration between getting widely acknowledged. people and many more from scientists and amateur citizens A number of people who earlier times were either farmers, to create, communicate and have innate interest in nature priests, or artists with interest use science. protection and those who are in knowing nature. However, In India, the oldest and keen to work with fellow citizens from mid-19th century, science longest running contemporary and scientific organisations started to become a practice citizen science imitative which to upscale scientific efforts on ground qualify as Citizen Scientists. Citizen science is a collaborative form of science where science practitioners collaborate with people to create science and influence positive human footprint. But citizen science is not a naïve concept. In the early days of the scientific revolution, many curious personalities followed nature and its phenomena to

understand their systemics in Andaman Census in Asian Waterbird scientists participating Citizen Library) South Asia Photo International (Wetlands (2019)

42 Wetlands International South Asia : Sarovar focuses on monitoring waterbird counts and wetland health is the Asian Waterbird Census (AWC). The AWC was initiated in 1987 in the Indian sub-continent with an objective to obtain information of waterbird populations on wetlands; monitor the status and condition of wetlands; and inform governments, conventions and the public on waterbirds distribution and trends. Recently, decadal analysis of AWC counts from India during 2006-2015 provided many interesting insights on waterbirds and wetland conservation. The coordinated effort put in by over 1400 volunteers reported presence of 170 waterbird species (85% of total waterbird species in India), including 142 migratory Map depicting wetlands covered under the Asian Waterbird Census in India Census under the Asian Waterbird covered Map depicting wetlands species (84% of total migratory waterbird species in the country) from 1409 wetlands (0.18% of 20,000 or more waterbirds for development goals. the total number of wetlands at least one year during the In order to enhance the in the country). It also reported assessment period. significance of AWC as a on many threatened waterbird The AWC data has been conservation tool, improving species and their population used in various conservation geographic coverage and inhabiting the Indian wetlands activities and programs from partnering with other citizen during winter season. The local to global levels, including science initiatives is essential. In citizen science effort also led to species and site conservation; addition, the overall governance identification of several sites of development of national wetland regime which includes ornithological importance across and waterbird conservation mainstreaming AWC within India. Over 270 wetlands were action plans; for raising implementation of protected area reported to regularly support 1% awareness; and implementation plans or wetland management or more of the bio-geographic of various multi-lateral plans through cross-sectoral population of at least one environmental conventions. collaboration, capacity building species of waterbirds and 65 The significance of the AWC of volunteers and improving wetlands reported to support programme in India is underlined technological interface of by representation of such sites data collection and sharing A that act as ecological networks is equally important. These within a larger socio-ecological measures will enable growth The significance of the AWC landscape or bird flyway systems. of scientific acumen in the programme in India is underlined Also, the AWC reports those larger community and public by representation of such sites wetlands that represent diverse interest in science. It will not that act as ecological networks value systems and risk profiles only contribute to an efficient which usually do not come on model of wetlands governance within a larger socio-ecological the radar of conservation policy but also encourage citizens landscape or bird flyway systems. makers, but hold immense to participate in conserving A value for both conservation and their natural heritage. B

Issue VII | February 2021 43 High time to operationalize a Central Asian Flyway network of internationally important wetlands to conserve migratory waterbirds!

In February 2020, the There is a growing in the Russian arctic permafrost Contracting Parties of Crecognition that freshwater and steppes of Kazakhstan, Convention on Migratory and coastal wetlands Mongolia and northern China. provide multiple ecosystem After their nesting is complete; Species adopted a resolution services to sustain human they fly south to escape the cold to implement conservation wellbeings across the globe. winters. They travel south to the actions for migratory Besides humans, a large floodplains, rivers, rice fields and birds in the Central Asian number of waterbirds such as marshes of the Indus, Ganges and Flyway. Dr Taej Mundkur, cranes, pelicans, ducks, geese, Brahmaputra in South Asia and Sr. Technical Officer, shorebirds, gulls and terns coastal intertidal mudflats, sand Wetlands International, depend on these wetlands, and in flats, coral reefs and associated highlights the need for many ways, help to sustain and mangroves of Pakistan, India, establishing a network of maintain them. Many of these Bangladesh and Sri Lanka and waterbirds are migratory, nesting the Maldives and Chagos atoll. internationally important wetlands to conserve migratory waterbirds. Endangered Indian Skimmer on the Jamnagar intertidal mudflats, Gujarat, an Gujarat, mudflats, intertidal Indian Skimmer on the Jamnagar Endangered Bhatia) this species. (Yashodhan for site important internationally

44 Wetlands International South Asia : Sarovar During these annual migrations, these birds have to stop and rest multiple times. This is when they depend not only safe wetlands, but also farmland, grasslands and other terrestrial habitats. For practical management purposes, about thirty countries in North, Southwest, Central and South Asia, are collectively considered to be the “Central Asian Flyway” for these waterbirds. These birds include the strikingly beautiful Indian A Demoiselle Crane family in a crop field in India, that have migrated from Mongolia breeding grounds (Dr Taej Mundkur) Skimmer Rynchops albicollis which may only migrate hundreds extinction, including the Indian lack of allocation of water to rather than thousands of Skimmer (which in December ensure functional wetlands, kilometres along the rivers and 2020 has been raised to the infrastructure development coasts of South Asia. Northern Globally Endangered category including roads, railways and Pintail Anas acuta that nests in in the IUCN Global Red List of pipelines that dissect and block the arctic, migrates all the way Threatened Animals). In doing wetlands, as well as power lines, to the south of Sri Lanka and so, it now joins the Endangered solar farms and wind farms occasionally even to the Maldives. list along with the Black-bellied that are critical for renewable While it may appear that Tern Sterna acuticauda and with energy generation, but when waterbirds are abundant in which it often nests in colonies placed on the major routes of many places and a few are even together on sand islands in rivers birds, pose a risk by killing or known to be spreading and of South Asia, where they face maiming them. In addition, legal increasing (such as the Glossy similar threats. and illegal poisoning, trapping Ibis Plegadis falcinellus and These waterbirds share their and hunting of birds is also a Greyheaded Lapwing Vanellus environment with a very large widespread challenge. cinereus), there is still little and rapidly developing human There is also a growing accurate information on the population in several countries recognition and understanding current population sizes of most that brings with it additional that management of migratory waterbirds or their population conservation challenges. The species in the long-term hinges trends. Studies have shown that direct threats to waterbirds on maintenance and restoration many are declining rapidly and include loss, degradation of a large international ecological some could be threatened by and pollution of wetlands, network of sites and landscapes Such Mongolian steppe wetlands serve as important breeding grounds for Demoiselle Demoiselle for grounds breeding important as serve wetlands steppe Such Mongolian Mundkur) South Asia (Dr Taej to that migrate and other waterbirds Cranes

Issue VII | February 2021 45 greatly assist the process. Additionally, at the national level there have been new developments to recognise the importance of networks for waterbirds. For example, in 2018, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in India adopted the National Action Plan for Conservation of Migratory Waterbirds and their Habitats along the CAF, in which it identified a preliminary list of wetlands as Glossy Ibis use rice fields and other freshwater wetlands and have been expanding their range southward to Sri Lanka (Dr Taej Mundkur) part of a national network of sites. This offers an excellent to provide the connectivity of well to ensure that some species opportunity for the government these crucial habitats required to are not allowed to die out to promote and support all sustain their annual migrations simply due to lack of attention interested national and state and populations. We know that and information. agencies, NGOs, universities, different birds traditionally use Way back in 2007, research organisations and local fixed routes and stopover sites Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, groups in working together to on their annual migrations Russia, Kazakhstan, India, Iran, develop a range of activities, as they have been doing over Pakistan and Turkmenistan including capacity building and generations. While some birds have already taken the positive strengthening for monitoring may be able to slightly alter their step of establishing the West/ and conservation of this migratory habits and survive Central Asian Flyway Site Network comprehensive network of in the face of changes to the for Siberian Crane and other nationally and internationally environment, such as impacts Waterbirds which now includes important coastal and inland of climate change through 26 internationally important wetlands across the country. increase in frequency of droughts wetlands. In addition, there are As habitat loss and or higher rainfall are being over 150 wetlands along the modification remains the experienced across the region, length and breadth of the flyway biggest threat to wetlands and other species with very specific in nearly all 30 CAF countries migratory waterbirds in the habits or food preferences may that have been designated as CAF, the highest focus should simply not be able to adapt. Ramsar Sites in recognition of be on improving management Designing and managing their international importance and restoration of wetlands an international ecological for waterbirds. A few others and other landscapes on which network of sites thus requires have been designated as natural these species depend. Finding an understanding of the many World Heritage Sites. There is innovative ways of extending different migration routes of thus a large number of sites that the Site Network outlined above the various species, as well as have been formally recognised to cover community managed knowledge of precisely when and as internationally important by reserves, religious sites and how they utilise and depend on governments of the region. All privately owned sites will provide these particular sites at different these internationally important new ways to involve local people times during their annual wetlands provide an ideal basis in conservation. migrations. Fortunately, there is for the rapid establishment of A significant recent a growing body of information a more comprehensive CAF site development is the official from research and monitoring network. Providing governments recognition by the Prime activities to initiate conservation with a decision support tool that Minister of India of the Central action now around the important brings together information on Asian Flyway and the priority sites. The existing knowledge the most important sites for each of enhancing cooperation in gaps should be addressed as waterbird population would his opening statement to the

46 Wetlands International South Asia : Sarovar 13th Meeting of the Conference department staff, researchers South-South cooperation. of Convention on Migratory and conservationists in most Thus, in moving forward Species (CMS) that took place in countries in the flyway. This to achieve conservation of Gandhinagar, India in February should contribute to the latest migratory waterbirds and 2020. This is also reflected in information on the abundance their habitats in the CAF, a formal resolution and decisions and diversity of waterbirds multipronged approach is adopted by all governments that in these wetlands as well as urgently needed: call for action during the coming a rapid assessment of their • At the flyway/international years. Through this commitment threats and potential threats level led by governments it is foreseen that the Indian in each country in the flyway. working together with Government clearly views Additional monitoring efforts conventions and international developing conservation action will be required to cover other organisations and others and international cooperation times of the year. All this can to provide the appropriate in this flyway as a high priority, serve to inform and further flyway framework and especially during its current prioritise wetlands for urgent mandate as well as the core presidency of the CMS. conservation action. resources for implementation In September 2020, the UN Running parallel to site-based of agreed flyway wide Environment and Wetlands action, the CMS recognising priority actions, especially International had organised the high risk of extinction initiation of the establishment an international webinar that some species face has of a CAF Site Network titled ‘Wetlands as Ecological prioritised those species for with conservation actions Connections in the Central Asia special attention through implemented at key sites, Flyway’ provided an excellent implementation of existing • At country and local opportunity to highlight some single species conservation levels, througha wide- of the urgent conservation action plans, including for Baer’s range of actions, including priorities. It recognised that Pochard Aythya baeri, Dalmatian management and restoration as the CAF region is home to Pelican Pelecanus crispus, of critically important nearly a fifth of the world’s White-headed Duck Oxyura wetlands, raising awareness, human population, there needs leucocephala, Sociable Lapwing support, involvement and to be a paradigm shift in current Vanellus gregarious and Eurasian pride of local communities conservation approaches to Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia. In and other stakeholders, find more effective ways to addition, it calls for development dealing with on site direct and address the issue of wetlands and implementation of a regional indirect threats to species and conservation. . This implies that plan for the Indian Skimmer. habitats. conservation directly depends Implementation of the latter, • Implementation of on our ability to communicate besides achieving urgently conservation plans for with and educate the people who needed conservation of this threatened species, that depend on these wetlands such species, offers an excellent benefit the species and that they can act as ambassadors opportunity to promote better act as a flagship for wider for their protection and support conservation action for A local action. This will require species and habitats. building skills and strengthening UN Environment and Wetlands capacities of frontline staff in While the Covid-19 pandemic International had organised carrying forward such a message may have put a temporary as well. an international webinar break on enhancing flyway It would be important to titled ‘Wetlands as Ecological cooperation in 2020 in the have our finger on the pulse to be Connections in the Central Asia CAF, it is hoped that there will able to monitor impacts of our Flyway’ in 2020 that provided be more rapid international collective actions. As an example, an excellent opportunity to dialogue and concrete actions the next annual Asian Waterbird highlight some of the urgent in 2021 and beyond. The Census will be undertaken in leadership of India and other conservation priorities. January 2021 by a large network governments will be critical B of volunteer birdwatchers, forest A in this moving forward.

Issue VII | February 2021 47 Denotification of Vedanthangal Sanctuary A ready reckoner

Vedanthangal, India’s oldest Facts First the areas contained within 5 km wetland bird sanctuary a around the tank as a Wildlife is under threat from its Sanctuary. The G.O. recorded Vedanthangal – a 29.51 ha that no objections or claims caretakers. The Tamil Nadu irrigation tank – and its were received in response to the Forest Department wants surroundings have been 1996 order. to denotify a major portion protected by local villagers as a From July 1998 till current of the sanctuary allegedly heronry and bird sanctuary at date, the Vedanthangal tank and to benefit commercial and least since 1790. A note by John the areas within 5 km around industrial interests. Nityanand Shortt dated 1864 records how the tank remain part and parcel Jayaraman, a Chennai based the local villagers saw value in of the Wildlife Sanctuary with writer and activist, writes maintaining the sanctuary as the the full protection of the Wildlife on current developments nitrogen and phosphorus rich Protection Act, 1972. bird droppings nourished the On 23 January, 2020, the within Vedanthangal surrounding paddy fields. Government of Tamil Nadu Wildlife Sanctuary. In 1962, Vedanthangal was tabled a proposal with the State declared a Reserved Forest under Board for Wildlife to denotify Madras Forest Act. In 1996, the area contained in the circular Government of Tamil Nadu band within 3 to 5 km from published an order stating its the tank. intent to declare the 29.51 ha An inspection note by the tank and the area within 5 km Chief Wildlife Warden on the around the tank boundary as same date, referred to the a sanctuary under the Wildlife proposal as “re-defining the Protection Act, 1972. On 3 July, boundary of Vedanthangal Bird 1998, a Government Order was Sanctuary by de-notifying the published declaring the tank and outer 2 km zone in Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary.”

48 Wetlands International South Asia : Sarovar On 19 March, 2020, Principal Chief Wildlife Warden. The key The communiques of the Secretary to Government of Tamil elements of the press release Principal Secretary, Sun Pharma Denotification of Nadu, Mr. Shambhu Kallolikar, are translated and paraphrased and the Chief Wildlife Warden IAS, wrote to the National Board as follows: contain several mis-statements for Wildlife seeking concurrence • The Vedanthangal tank’s total and false claims. Vedanthangal Sanctuary of the Government of India area is 73.06 acres. This is a • The Principal Secretary’s letter for Tamil Nadu’s proposal to Public Works Department of 19 March makes it appear as “denotify the outer 2 km zone irrigation tank. though the Bird Sanctuary had of the existing 5 km.” The letter • On 8.7.1998, by Government already been demarcated into A ready reckoner said “a proposal to reduce the Order No. 199, the tank core and buffer, and that the buffer zone of Vedanthangal was declared a “wildlife 5 km zone around the main Bird Sanctuary from 5 kms sanctuary” under the Wildlife tank area was actually a buffer surrounding the main tank area Protection Act. zone which was sought to be of 29.51 ha to 3 km in which • Under the Government Order, redefined by the proposal. first 1 km to be notified as Core the private and revenue lands • The Chief Wildlife Warden’s Zone including main lake/tank in the areas within 5 km press release claims that and next 2 km boundary to be surrounding the tank were the Central Government notified as Buffer Zone and to also declared as “sanctuary.” has directed the zonation of denotify the outer 2 km zone of • The Central Government has sanctuary areas into Core, the existing 5 km.” directed that all sanctuaries Buffer and Eco Sensitive A pharmaceutical company, should be demarcated as Core Zones, and that Government Sun Pharma, located inside the Zone, Buffer Zone and Eco of Tamil Nadu’s proposal sanctuary is seen to be a major Sensitive Zone. does not denotify portions of beneficiary, as its expansion • As per that direction, efforts the sanctuary. plans would sail through if the to demarcate the areas within • Sun Pharma’s letter states that outer 2 kms of the sanctuary 5 km of the Vedanthangal their proposed expansion is were denotified as proposed. lake sanctuary as follows not within the sanctuary. News about the proposed are underway: 0-1 km Core denotification provoked a Zone; 1-3 km Buffer Zone; swift and strong response from 3-5 km Eco Sensitive Zone. Core and Buffer the people and opposition [Emphasis added] a parties in Tamil Nadu and from • Therefore, the claim that the environmentalists throughout 5 km circumference area is The Wildlife Protection Act, India forcing the government being reduced is very wrong. 1972, contains no reference to to respond. core and buffer areas within On 9 June, 2020, an undated, Hiding the fact that its factory protected areas. Only in 2006, unsigned Press Release in Tamil is located squarely within by amendment to the Act and was put out via whatsapp by the the sanctuary, Sun Pharma in specific reference to Tiger Tamil Nadu Forest Department’s clarified that its expansion Reserves were the words Core will not involve any fresh and Buffer introduced. The core land acquisition. zone refers solely to critical tiger A panoramic view of Vedanthangal view of Vedanthangal A panoramic Sanctuary (M. Yuvan)

Issue VII | February 2021 49 habitat within sanctuaries and While the use of core and National Wildlife Action Plan reserves. The area peripheral buffer by the PCCF in this case 2002-2016 makes this clear: to the critical tiger habitat is is uninformed, the point is clear “Areas outside the protected area defined as a buffer where lesser that the entire area contained network are often vital ecological degree of habitat protection within 5 km of the tank is an corridor links and must be is required. This area too falls integral part of the sanctuary. protected to prevent isolation of within and is in reference solely fragments of biodiversity which to Tiger Reserves in India. will not survive in the long term. Other sanctuaries and national Eco Sensitive Zone Land and water use policies will parks are to be administered as a need to accept the imperative of per the provisions of the WLP strictly protecting ecologically Act, and are not required to be The concept of ESZs was first fragile habitats and regulating demarcated as core and buffer. introduced in the Wildlife use elsewhere.” In fact, the 23 January 2020 Conservation Strategy – 2002 letter of the Principal Chief which was adopted in the Indian Conservator of Forests cites the Board of Wildlife meeting held Proposed Denotification is Government Order of 1998 to on 21 January, 2002. Point No. Bad in Law clarify that “As per G.O.Ms. No. 9 of the strategy suggested that a 199, Vedanthangal Reserve Land/ “lands falling within 10 km of the Lake with an area of 29.51 ha boundaries of National Parks and There is no provision in law and surrounding 5 km area all Sanctuaries should be notified as to declare an area within a around (comprising revenue area eco-fragile zones. . .” sanctuary that is not a tiger of 28 villages) was declared as ESZs refer to the lands reserve as core or buffer. ESZs Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary. outside the protected area that are to be defined outside the And, whole Sanctuary is treated need some degree of protection boundaries of protected areas. as Core Zone for management to ensure the integrity of the Denotification of a sanctuary or and there is no buffer zone.” sanctuary or national park. The altering its limits from 5 km to 3

Pelicans at Vedanthangal Sanctuary (M. Yuvan)

50 Wetlands International South Asia : Sarovar km -- in this case – can only be A nesting site for birds that visit the done if it is established that it region during the wet and post- will aid conservation objectives. In order for a sanctuary to monsoon season from October to It cannot be justified by citing be denotified, the proposal February. The surrounding areas, the aspirations of industries who must be recommended by including wetlands such as lakes, are operating illegally within the tanks and paddy fields, serve as the State Board of Wildlife. sanctuary limits. foraging grounds for the birds. A The National Board of Wildlife healthy agricultural landscape is would have to concur, after well suited to the conservation Industries within which the Government of objectives of the sanctuary. Sanctuary Limits Tamil Nadu would have to Already, industrial presence a issue a Government Order inside the sanctuary has denotifying the sanctuary degraded the quality of wetland A number of industries, including under the WLP Act. habitats. A study carried out by Sun Pharma, Ordain Healthcare Chennai Climate Action Group, and Amco Batteries operate A a city-based youth collective, within Vedanthangal Wildlife found four common industrial Sanctuary’s 5 km boundary. boundaries of the sanctuary from solvents, which are used in Even if an industry existed 5 km to 3 km, thereby placing pharmaceuticals manufacturing, prior to the notification of the Sun’s facility just outside the in ground and surface sanctuary, the declaration of redefined limits. water samples. the lands as a sanctuary in 1998 In order for a sanctuary to be Dibromochloromethane and would extinguish all prior rights denotified, the proposal must be dichloromethane were found in and claims unless such rights recommended by the State Board all three water samples taken and claims had specifically been of Wildlife. The National Board from the region, including brought to the notice of the of Wildlife would have to concur, one from an irritation well, District Collector and settled. after which the Government of tetrachloroethene and toluene On 30 May, 2020, Sun Pharma Tamil Nadu would have to issue were in two water samples taken submitted an application to the a Government Order denotifying from surface water sources fed Tamil Nadu State Environmental the sanctuary under the WLP Act. by rainwater run-off from the Impact Assessment Authority As things stand, Vedanthangal pharma company. seeking permission to expand. sanctuary limits extend to 5 km In its application for The application was made using from the tank boundary. Sun Environmental Clearance, Sun a diluting amendment to the EIA Pharma’s existing operations Pharma has declared that will Notification, 2006, made by the and the proposed expansion fall require a top-up of 176,000 litres Ministry of Environment citing squarely within the sanctuary. of water each day. COVID-19 as an urgency to argue Promoting industrialisation, for reduced environmental due urbanisation and commercial- diligence for pharmaceutical Will reduction of park isation within and around the companies wanting to set up or boundary affect the birds? sanctuary will bring down the expand before September 2020. a areas under agriculture, degrade The amended law allows pharma water bodies by increasing companies to set up or expand Citing commercial pressures impenetrable land cover in without environmental impact to reduce the park boundary their catchments and desiccate assessment or public hearing. is untenable considering that the landscape. Sun Pharma’s application only 4.71 percent of India’s A well-managed sanctuary states that it is located 0.72 km landmass is under some sort will be a boon not merely for outside the sanctuary boundary, of protection. The remainder is the wildlife but also to local and 3.72 km from the boundary available for development and communities who will enjoy of the lake. This suggests that commercial purposes. the benefits of improved water the company may have been The large-canopied trees availability, healthy living privy to the efforts by the Forest inside Vedanthangal tank environment and the economic Department to redraw the provide a preferred roosting and benefits of tourism.B

Issue VII | February 2021 51 Governing Urban Wetlands For People Or Nature?

The East Kolkata Wetlands, the Located on the eastern Sewage is carried by long largest sewage fed fisheries in Cfringes of Kolkata, spanning channels towards the bheris the world, present a unique 12,500 ha, are the East (fish farms) where the sewage Kolkata Wetlands (EKW) a is broken down under the opportunity and challenge mosaic of landforms from sun diverted into the small for wetland managers in a predominantly water dominated bamboo and hyacinth barriers continuously changing urban areas (used as fish farms) to land ultimately flowing into bheris environment. Dushyant Mohil, centric usages for agriculture, where algae and fish thrive. Programme Manager and horticulture and settlements. Over 260 such bheris exist Harsh Ganapathi, Technical The existing wetland regime which receive over 900 MLD Officerfrom Wetlands is a remnant of a series of pre-settled sewage from the International South Asia have brackish wetlands connected Kolkata Metropolitan region penned down their experience to freshwater and marine through a network of locally environments of the Gangetic excavated secondary and tertiary and learnings from working on Delta and the Bay of Bengal, in canals. EKW is one of the most the management of this site. an ecological continuum with productive urban ecosystems in the Sundarbans. India, where nature's power is

A view of East Kolkata Wetlands (Wetlands International South Asia Photo Library)

52 Wetlands International South Asia : Sarovar utilised to produce 20,000 MT A (EKWMA), a nodal agency for of fish, 50,000 MT of vegetables systematic implementation annually and irrigate 4700 ha of The traditionally evolved of wise use principles for the paddy lands. natural water purification and management of this Ramsar As the nutrient-rich effluent waste recovery practice saves site. EKWMA was borne moves through the system, it Kolkata city nearly Rs. 4,680 out of the East Kolkata is progressively cleaned, and million annually in terms of the Wetlands (Conservation and nutrients are redirected to algal treatment cost to treat nearly Management) Act, 2006, a growth or agricultural products unique regulation passed by 65% of the city’s sewage. These grown along the edges of the the state government charting a wetlands also lock down over fish farms and the agricultural course for management of EKW lands. Algae and other aquatic 60% of carbon from wastewater. as a Wetland of International plants are used to feed up to 17 A Importance and its various species of fish cultured in these ecosystem services, including ponds, which in turn create schedule II of the Indian Wildlife the ability of regulation of water nitrogen and phosphorus-rich Protection Act, 1972. regimes, wastewater treatment, water to irrigate the adjacent source of groundwater recharge paddy fields. The traditional and other socio-cultural waste recovery practice provides Institutional Setup values. The Act defined the subsistence opportunities a land use within the wetland, for a large, economically identifying each land parcel as underprivileged population EKW is human ingenuity at substantially water dominated, of 0.15 million living in over its best, the wetlands provide under agriculture, horticulture 37 mouzas (revenue villages) Kolkata with a unique natural or settlements, and banned any within its boundaries. EKW filtration system, livelihood for further diminution of wetland is also one of the few natural its residents, vegetables and fish area, change in ecological habitats providing recreational for the city, an important flood character, and overall land use. avenues for the urban and peri- buffer and a vital defense against EKWMA was accorded functions urban population. climate change. to enable implementation The traditionally evolved EKW provides multiple of the Act, which included natural water purification and benefits, hence it needs to be regulating land-use change, waste recovery practice saves managed for conservation of its preventing unauthorized Kolkata city nearly Rs. 4,680 natural remediation and resource development and promoting million annually in terms of the recovery ability, biological integrated management of the treatment cost to treat nearly diversity as well as securing wetland system. 65% of the city’s sewage. These sustained provision of its full EKWMA is administered wetlands also lock down over range of ecosystem services under the Chairmanship of 60% of carbon from wastewater, which support livelihoods of the Minister in-charge of the thus reducing harmful Green dependent communities. The Department of Environment House Gas (GHG) emissions from effectiveness of management and a list of members which the region. Apart from humans is reflected in the ability to include the Chief Secretary of thriving in the ecosystem, the sustain multiple use of the West Bengal, Additional Chief wetland is also a home to diverse wetland, based on the traditional Secretary or Principal Secretary species of flora and fauna. At knowledge of resource recovery from different departments (i.e. least 120 plants, ten amphibians, developed over time, without Department of Environment, 29 reptiles, 260 birds, 58 fish, undermining the key ecological Department of Land and Land 11 prawns, three mollusk, and and social processes that Reforms and Refugee Relief and 11 mammal species have been underpin the functioning of EKW Rehabilitation, Department recorded in these wetlands. social-ecological system. of Fisheries, Department of Marsh mongoose (Herpestes The management of EKW Forests, Department of Tourism, auropunctatus) is endemic to the is entrusted with the East Department of Panchayats and region and also included in the Kolkata Wetlands Management Rural Development, Department

Issue VII | February 2021 53 of Irrigation and Waterways, the boundary and periphery health risk for the communities. Department of Irrigation and have been protected by law, The settlements within the Waterways), as well as four thanks to the oversight of Dr wetlands have also surged experts each in the areas of Dhrubajoyti Ghosh, but within which could increase resource wetland ecology, hydrology, the boundary area, under fish use leading toan increase fisheries and socio-economics. farms has increased significantly in vulnerability of wetland by 1,668.79 over a 20-year period. communities to flooding The increase in fish farm area has and climate risks. There is a Recent Trends been observed after 2015, even significant reduction in the a though it had decreased during number of waterbird species 2000-2015. being sighted; over 30 species With its unique capabilities, The area under agriculture have not been sighted in recent managing EKW is a herculean has reduced which bodes well for times. Increased urbanization task and hence a separate act the wetland and its capacity to in the periphery of the wetland, and management unit was treat wastewater. The wetlands, habitat encroachment and deemed necessary, all along a however unique its setting shifting climate patterns has led rapidly urbanizing environment. and services, is still considered to the reduction of key wetland Development threats loom large a large dump-yard, wherein species sighted in the area. construction of an elevated the area under solid waste has The changes to the external corridor over the wetlands to doubled and this poses a great and internal environment of ease traffic congestion in Kolkata risk to adverse change for the EKW means that monitoring city was deemed necessary. wetland. Excessive dumping of and strict regulations need to EKW itself is seeing immense solid waste means that threats be ensured at all times, guided transformation ever since due to pollution and discharge by a management plan that is being declared a Ramsar site, of leachate remain high, posing endorsed by all departments and communities. The unique ecosystem is also guided by the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. Management under the Wetland Rules present a unique challenge as the rule prohibits activities which include discharge of sewage, dumping of solid waste Land use and construction of permanent transformation nature (except boat jetties) were listed as prohibited activities in in EKW notified wetlands which included all Ramsar Sites. The natural regime of the EKW has been altered to function with the inflowing sewage as the major component of the wetland cycle. However, the Wetlands Rules present a challenge to managing EKW as the wetland primarily relies on waste water flows for water recycling activities and the rules. Which

54 Wetlands International South Asia : Sarovar would mean that EKW would not A sustainable food production, be able to maintain its resource all the while it offers a glimpse The unique ecosystem is recovery practice. into the future for other urban also guided by the Wetlands wetlands that are vanishing (Conservation and Management) fast. However, with increased Governance challenges Rules, 2017 notified by the encroachment, their ability to a Ministry of Environment, provide food, filtration and flood Forest and Climate Change, control is being compromised. Decision-making processes Government of India. Maintaining the land use and and performance outcomes land cover in line with regulatory by EKWMA are generally A requirements becomes the transparent, with meeting top most priority, along with minutes available publicly. EKW services has not be taken enabling synergy between the EKWMA have put in place up proactively. wetland ecosystem and people. decision-making processes and Enforcement over solid Sewage quantity and quality protocols, where reasons for waste dumping remains a received remain the lifelines of decisions are clearly articulated. primary concern: Concrete the system which is sufficient Having a detailed look at the actions are yet to be taken to and efficiently treated applying minutes of EKWMA meetings limit waste dumping within traditional waste recovery over the years the following the wetland even after detailed practices, management of EKW challenges still remain: discussions. Support from other needs to ensure that resource External consultation government departments to recovery practices are sustained and role of other actors have enforce strict measures to stop with suitable protection for reduced over time: Even though waste dumping remains limited. its biodiversity, with efforts to Panchayat samities are formed Management decisions reduce species invasion. to support implementation of on conservation of EKW Management also needs conservation activities, their have decreased over time: to provide opportunities role in governance has not been Enforcement of EKW Act remains for wetland communities discussed at length. Partnerships high on agenda, authority takes to participate in wetland and collaboration between state serious note on the violation of management. Work towards and non-government actors EKW Act and rules pertaining enhancing individual remain blurred. Traditional roles to the wetlands. Discussions and collective capacity to of communities, CSOs and their over land mutation and cases continuously monitor changes legitimacy is not discussed. regarding encroachment, over to the wetland under the Meetings of EKWMA have areas of conflict, land allotment, pressures of development been infrequent as 29 meetings land ownership and creation of and changing climate, while have been held over a 15-year structures, houses within EKW inculcating behavioral change. period since the formation of take up a majority of the meeting A better appreciation of the EKWMA. The meetings have time when compared with huge economic benefits the greatly reduced over the years, conservation and management wetland ecosystem services as after the reconstitution actions. Monitoring protocols could fetch may tip the balance of EKWMA in 2017 only two can ease the burden on EKWMA in favour of the wetlanders. A meetings have been held. to focus on conservation and successful conservation model Potential of EKWMA management of EKW. implemented in these wetlands beyond resource recovery is can compensate opportunity not significantly explored costs of the commons with by the authority: EKWMA Way Forward ecosystem services. Urban meetings discuss potential of a wetlands remain out of the eco-tourism at great length. purview of traditional natural Wetland interpretation centers East Kolkata Wetlands systems hence their management are also greatly discussed but is a natural wonder that as in the case for EKW should concrete actions have been conservationists have fought for; remain in balance for humans as limited. Exploring potential of it serves as a model for potential well as nature. B

Issue VII | February 2021 55 Wetland Rejuvenation Early Experiences from the National Capital Territory of Delhi

Dr Prathna TC, Department of Encroachments, presence of the river during monsoons and Irrigation and Flood Control, Cinvasive species, increasing a gradual seasonal variation in Govt. of NCT of Delhi and water contamination vegetation is observed along and eutrophication, greater the stretch. The wetlands Ankit Srivastava, Delhi Jal likelihood of floods, and loss along the floodplains play a Board discuss their experience of biodiversity are some of the critical role in hosting resident of working on wetland major threats on wetlands. and migratory birds as well rejuvenation in the National Pressure to convert wetlands as regulating floodwater and Capital Territory of Delhi. for developmental activities is recharging groundwater levels. immense especially in case of Over the years, untreated and urban riparian wetlands and partially treated sewage has Delhi is no exception. A gradual been flowing through drains decline in wetland area has been before entering the wetlands observed in Delhi over the years and ultimately discharging into similar to most parts of India. the River. Highly polluted water At the same time, increased can contaminate the aquifer, awareness towards conservation and also destroy the fine balance and restoration of wetlands has in the wetland ecosystem. A also been witnessed in the recent Recently, directions have been years. Many projects have been issued under the National Green As per government undertaken by the Government Tribunal (NGT) to initiate work records, there are 1009 both at the Central and State on treating wastewater in the lakes and water bodies in levels together with active drains prior to their discharge participation from NGOs, citizens into wetlands in addition to the Delhi, of which only 600 and local communities. removal of invasive weeds which can be revived. have suffocated the wetlands. A Nearly ten major drains Floodplain Restoration presently discharge untreated along River Yamuna sewage into wetlands along the a western part of the floodplains. Projects have been designed Floodplains are the most to treat this sewage using a widespread among wetland constructed wetland system ecosystems present along the before it reaches the natural stretch of Yamuna. Floodplains wetlands. Preventing further have always acted as a natural flow of sewage or untreated buffer against climate change. water into the wetlands is one The floodplains of Yamuna are among the preliminary steps to inundated with floodwater from restore wetlands.

56 Wetlands International South Asia : Sarovar Revival of Lakes and Water Rejuvenation of Rajokri Chhath Puja is a festival rituals by bodies in Delhi Lake: A Pilot Project the local community at Rajokri a a with performed in the water body. Prior to the restoration of There are 1009 lakes and water The lake project at Rajokri the lake, rituals were performed bodies as per government (28°30`44.92˝ N 77°07`10.28˝ by public in the wastewater records in Delhi, of which only E) is another stellar example sink. During the course of 600 can be revived. Most of of using natural treatment restoration, feedback from the these lakes have been impacted methods to restore and revive residents indicated the need for negatively and are presently water bodies. The lake in a Chhath Ghat to perform rituals fighting for survival. Bhalaswa Rajokri village, located on the during the festival following Lake, Najafgarh Jheel, Sanjay outskirts of Delhi used to be which a separate Ghat was Lake, Neela Hauz, Hauz Khas and heavily encroached until 2017 included away from the water Okhla Bird Sanctuary are among with untreated sewage and body. This intervention has some of the major wetland cattle dung which was being ensured the active participation ecosystems in the Delhi NCT emptied into the dying water of public towards maintenance region in the form of lakes and body. The Delhi Government and upkeep of the restored marshlands. Of these, Bhalaswa initiated the revival project using water body. Lake is the second largest lake in scientifically designed wetlands Wetlands are crucial for their Delhi with a unique horse shoe to treat sewage and recharge the rich biodiversity, replenishing shape and is a part of the Yamuna lake. The constructed wetlands the water table, controlling riverine wetland system. With comprised native wetland plants the loss of nutrients together directions from the National such as Canna and Spider Lily. with reducing the impacts of Green Tribunal (NGT) earlier The treated water which was climate change. In addition this year, the Delhi Government used to fill the lake was further to government legislations, has projects in place to prevent polished with floating wetland conservation programs and animal excreta from the dairy systems. The environmental capacity development, public discharging into the lake by impact of the project upon support is critical in ensuring overhauling the drainage system. completion was noticeable with restoration of wetland resources. Simultaneously, work has been diverse species of migratory birds Any restoration project should initiated to utilize a constructed being spotted in the surrounding convince the community to wetland system to treat domestic locality. In addition to ecological, participate in the program before sewage, storm water and grey aesthetic and economic values, its implementation to achieve water to recharge and replenish wetlands in India have always the objectives of protection and the lake. been associated with socio- sustainable management of Delhi also has a number of cultural and religious values. wetland resources.B constructed wetlands which assist in water purification and storage. Neela Hauz located in South Delhi in a human-made wetland, which was historically used as a water source. However, continuous discharge of sewage and solid waste into the wetland sounded its death knell. The wetland was revived by the use of a constructed wetland system to treat the domestic sewage and further utilize it to recharge the lake. Concerted action has brought back both resident and migratory birds. The constructed wetland in Rajokri Village (Dr Prathna TC) (Dr Prathna Village in Rajokri wetland The constructed

Issue VII | February 2021 57 RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Ecology, Conservation, and Ramsar New Toolkit for Restoration of Chilika Lagoon National Wetlands Inventories a a

Finlayson C.M., Rastogi, G., Mishra, D., The tool kit aims to provide assistance to Pattnaik, A. (Eds.) countries to implement or update their This book recounts years of studying, analysing, inventories and report on wetlands. It also and reversing the environmental pressures explains the process of conducting an inventory, that threatened India’s Chilika Lagoon by examples of good practice, data collection experts. It transcends scientific analysis to methods and use of inventories in making explore governance and institutional issues policy decisions. Emphasis has also been laid involved in wetlands management. The critical on training of practitioners. This toolkit targets themes covered in this book are restoration and various stakeholders involved in the assessment, management of the Chilika Lake, strategies and monitoring and conservation of wetlands. management needs for wise use, sedimentologic, chemical, and isotopic impacts, hydrodynamics and salinity, analysis of water quality, status of species diversity and migratory patterns.

Indian Sunderbans mangrove forest considered endangered under Red List of Ecosystems, but there is cause for optimism a

(Siviers et al., Biological Conservation, Volume 251, November 2021)

The Red List of Ecosystem has been recently introduced by IUCN as a global standard for assessing risk of ecosystem collapse. The framework was applied to Sunderbans and the outcomes reported in this article. The assessment indicates that historical clearing and diminishing fish populations and ongoing threats including climate change and reduced fresh water supply may further impact this ecosystem.

58 Wetlands International South Asia : Sarovar PfR Flagship Report: A Deep dive into Fresh Water: Local Action, Global Ambition Living Planet Report 2020 by WWF a a

Partners for Resilience (PfR) is a worldwide “A Deep Dive into Fresh Water: Living Planet network of civil society organizations working Report 2020” presents a six-point emergency in hazard-prone areas to strengthen people’s recovery plan for freshwater biodiversity. resilience to rising disaster risks. PfR flagship The report comes at a time when freshwater report titled Local Action, Global Ambition: bodies and the biodiversity that thrives around Capacity Strengthening & Lobbying and Advocacy these natural resources is under threat. Data for Resilient Communities has documented suggests that freshwater biodiversity has been the major results that the PfR programme has declining at a rapid pace. The publication covers achieved in its ten years of working on Integrated experiences and recommendations by a team of Risk Management. It offers experiences of global scientists and policy experts working on organisations who are part of this partnership freshwater bodies and wetlands who have argued from around the world, keeping poverty, that these changes in the status of freshwater vulnerability and risks of communities that ecosystems need an urgent response aimed are prone to natural disasters as the crux of the at recovery and replenishment. Some of the report. The report is an invaluable source of pressing issues discussed in the report include knowledge which puts forth diverse experiences loss of wetlands and biodiversity, decline of river of working on the issue of disaster risk resilience systems, and the steep decrease in the population and management globally. trends for monitored fresh water species.

Issue VII | February 2021 59 Upcoming Events

Asian Waterbird Census 2021

The Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) is part of the global International Waterbird Census (IWC). This citizen-science programme is supporting conservation and management of wetlands and waterbirds worldwide. The recommended dates for the AWC are 2 – 17 January 2021, covering two weeks and three weekends.

World Wetlands Day Celebrated annually on 2nd February, World Wetlands Day aims to raise global awareness about the role of wetlands for people and the planet. The theme for 2021 is Wetlands and Water.

Asian Wetlands Symposium The Ramsar Regional Centre – East Asia (RRC-EA) will co-organize the 9th Asian Wetland Symposium (AWS9) with theme “Voice of Asia: Changes, challenges, and successful practices” in collaboration with the Ramsar Centre Japan, Wetlands International Japan, Japan Wetlands Society and other partners. The event is scheduled for 21-25 June 2021.

Stockholm World Water Week The World Water Week 2021 will be held as a full-scale digital event on 23-27 August. The theme for 2021 is Building Resilience Faster. The event will focus on finding concrete solutions to the world’s greatest water-related challenges, starting with the climate crisis and including water scarcity, food security, health, biodiversity, and impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

11th INTECOL 2021 The International Wetlands Conference will be held between 10-15 October 2021 in Christchurch, New Zealand. The conference will focus on challenges of climate change, developing green infrastructure, promotion of sustainable resource use and community wellbeing as the important themes.

Ramsar COP 14, China 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP14) to take place in November 2021.

60 Wetlands International South Asia : Sarovar Inseparable

Water, wetlands and life.

Wetlands Internation South Asia Join us - visit WorldWetlandsDay.org #RestoreWetlands We safeguard and restore wetlands for people and nature.

A-25, Floors 1 & 2, Defence Colony, New Delhi 110024, India T: +91 11 24338906, 46038906 E: [email protected]

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