Wetlands International South Asia Annual Report 2014 - 15 Stay in touch Wetlands International South Asia Wetlands International nd A-25, (2 Floor), Defence Colony @WetlandsInt New Delhi-110 024, India Tel: +91-11-24338906, 32937908 Wetlands International Wetlands International South Asia Email: [email protected] Annual Report 2015 - 16 URL: http://south-asia.wetlands.org 1 Annual Report 2015-16 Wetlands International South Asia Wetlands International South Asia is a non- wide ranging elements, designed and delivered in government organization working for sustaining and partnership with central government ministries, state restoring wetlands, their resources and biodiversity government departments and agencies, wetland in the South Asia region. Its office in New Delhi management authorities, civil society and research (India) was established in 1996 as a part of Wetlands organizations: International network. Wetlands International is • management planning for ecosystem restoration a global, independent, non-profit organization and wise use dedicated to conservation and restoration of wetlands, and presently works in over 100 countries • design and establishment of integrated inventory, through a network of 18 regional and national offices assessment and monitoring system for supporting and expert networks, with a headquarter in The adaptive management Netherlands. Wetlands International is also one of • valuation of ecosystem services and biodiversity the five International Organization Partners (IOPs) of to support mainstreaming in developmental the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention). programming In 2005, Wetlands International South Asia was • environmental flow assessment for maintaining registered under the Societies Registration Act of ecosystem functioning while allocating water for Government of India (retaining remit of South Asia developmental purposes region), consequently gaining an Indian legal entity while subscribing to the goals and targets of the • conservation of critical habitats of wetland Wetlands International network. dependent species, particularly migratory waterbirds and fish Wetlands International South Asia works for wetland • capacity building for integrated wetland conservation in ways which relate to the nature of management wetlands as ecosystems, and the wider biophysical and social contexts in which they are placed and • institutional development for cross sectoral function. The organization, since its inception, has governance focused on promoting conservation and wise use • policy formulation support and advocacy for of wetlands based on diagnostic assessment of conservation and wise use wetland features and their influencing factors. The • community led ecosystem-based approaches for organization endeavours to use a mix of approaches disaster risk reduction including technical knowledge, policy dialogue and field demonstrations for addressing various • communication, education and public awareness issues related to wetland management. To leverage Presently, Dr. Ashok K. Kundra (former Secretary change, the organization works with national and to the ministries of Mines and Special Secretary state governments, knowledge centers, civil society Environment and Forests, Government of India) is the as well as private sector, often acting as catalysts President of the Society. Mr. Sudhir K. Pande (Former to enable joined up actions. Given that securing Director General, Forests and Special Secretary, positive change in status of wetlands and linked Government of India) is the Vice-President. Dr. Ajit livelihoods takes considerable time, the organization Pattnaik (Principal Chief Conservation of Forests, works for long term engagement, forging strategic Forest and Enviroment Department, Government of and innovative partnerships. The organization places Odisha) is the Treasurer. Ms. Jane Madgwick (Chief specific emphasis on capacity development of Executive Officer, Wetlands International) represents wetland managers in applying integrated approaches. the Wetlands International headquarters on the A multidisciplinary team within the organization and Governing Body. Dr. Siddharth Kaul (formerly Advisor, expert network enable providing evidence-based Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government scientific and technical advice to central and state of India) serves as a nominated member of the governments, wetland authorities, and civil society General Body. on various aspects of wetland management. The projects implemented have covered the following 2 Wetlands International South Asia President’s Message It gives me a great pleasure in placing before the General Body the Annual Report of Wetlands International South Asia Society for the period 2015-16. During the year, we have continued to work on the 6 regional targets related to thematic areas of biodiversity, water, climate change and greening the economy. Efforts have been made to upscale impact of integrated wetland management projects implemented in Mahanadi Delta (Odisha) and Gandak-Kosi floodplains (Bihar). We worked closely with the State Wetland Authority of the Government of Bihar to reach an agreement on restoration of hydrological regimes of Kanwar Jheel, as recommended in the management plan drafted by us in 2014. We are also assisting the Authority in systematic prioritization of wetlands for regulation and integrated management. In Mahanadi Delta, Odisha, management planning for Hirakud Reservoir has given us an opportunity to integrate water requirements of downstream ecosystems in operations of the state’s largest and most significant water infrastructure. Specific efforts have also been made to disseminate the outcomes of the TEEB India Initiative, demonstrating use of economic approaches in addressing specific policy contexts related to management of wetlands. Through convergence with existing developmental sector investments, we have been able to pilot models of community resilience in 156 villages in wetland dominated landscapes in Mahanadi Delta and Gandak-Kosi floodplains. During the year, we were also able to establish our first corporate sector partnership project with Avendus Capitals, a financial services management company. Work under the partnership will entail assessing management effectiveness of 8 Ramsar Sites. As per advice of the General Body, we have continued to engage with the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Government of India on improving policy and regulatory framework for wetlands in India. Through a national workshop with Ramsar Site Managers held in January 2016, we have initiated a dialogue with the State Governments and the Ministry on enhancing implementation of regulatory framework, and strengthening management of wetlands of national priority. A first of its kind training course for Indian Forest Service Probationers on Integrated management of wetlands was also organized in collaboration with Chilika Development Authority. We are also pleased to report that a national project on wetland biodiversity and ecosystem services has been approved for implementation by the GEF Council. 2016 marks the 30th year of the Asian Waterbird Census, one of the longest running citizen science initiative to monitor health of wetlands and wetland dependent species. Specific efforts have been made this year to enhance the number of sites covered under the census, as well as collate the results of previous counts to assess status and trends in wetlands. We have also firmed up the South Asia Regional Strategy and Targets for the period 2015-2020. Given that a majority of our projects initiated under the 2011-2020 Regional Strategy are yet to achieve their desired impacts, the 2015-2020 is proposed to be a continuum of the previous strategy, while aligning with the Wetlands International network workstreams, and landscape scale focus. I take this opportunity to thank our partners and donors for supporting the work of Wetlands International South Asia, and look forward to continued association. New Delhi, July 7, 2016 Dr. Ashok K. Kundra 3 Annual Report 2015-16 Contents Wetlands International South Asia ..............................................................................................................................................................4 President’s Message .............................................................................................................................................................................................5 Abbreviations ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................6 Executive Summary ..............................................................................................................................................................................................7 Programme Overview 2015-16 .....................................................................................................................................................................9 Conserving wetland biodiversity ...............................................................................................................................................................11 Wetlands and Integrated Water Management ...................................................................................................................................19 Wetlands and Climate Change ....................................................................................................................................................................25