Wetland conservation is deeply rooted in India’s constitutional and policy framework: Bhupender Yadav

New Delhi: Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav said Wetland conservation is deeply rooted in India’s constitutional, legal, and policy framework.

“The Indian Constitution encapsulates this spirit by mandating the State and its citizens to protect and conserve the environment, as well as to safeguard forests and wildlife”, he said while addressing the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP15) to the Ramsar Convention being held at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

India expanded the list of Ramsar Wetlands by 250 per cent and achieved Asia’s largest network comprising 91 Sites. For the first time, two Indian cities—Udaipur and Indore—have been accredited as Wetland Cities, showing our commitment to urban wetlands,” he added.

Mr Yadav highlighted India’s contribution to global wetlands conservation, informing that India has 91 Ramsar Sites (1.36 million hectares), which is the largest network in Asia and the third-largest globally.

He highlighted this achievement during his intervention on ‘Strengthening Policy and Legal Frameworks by Mainstreaming Wetlands Conservation’ at the High Level Ministerial Segment of COP15.

The Minister said India’s ‘Mission Sahbhagita’ and the ‘Save Wetlands Campaign’ have mobilised more than 2 million citizens, resulting in the ground-truthing of over 170,000 wetlands and the boundary demarcation of nearly 100,000 wetlands across the country.

“Conservation of wetlands has been mainstreamed in India’s sectoral plans and programmes, including the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, National Wildlife Action Plan”, he said.

Highlighting the UNEA Resolution 6/8 on sustainable lifestyles, the Minister emphasised the mainstreaming of sustainable lifestyles in India’s policy and programmes, including the conservation of wetlands.

During the visit, the Minister also engaged in bilateral meetings with the heads of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES), Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, and Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS).

A meeting was also held with the Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Zimbabwe, Dr. Evelyn Ndlovu, to advance cooperation on wetland restoration and knowledge exchange.

The Minister further highlighted the importance of India’s Global Environmental Initiatives to advance climate action and biodiversity conservation through international partnerships, such as the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), International Solar Alliance (ISA), and Sustainable Lifestyles and requested to join these international initiatives.

The Ramsar COP15 brings together 172 Contracting Parties, International Organisation Partners, scientific institutions, civil society, and community representatives to agree on work programme and budgetary arrangements for the next triennium and consider guidance on a range of ongoing and emerging environmental issues.

India’s active participation at COP15 underscores its unwavering commitment to wetlands conservation, climate leadership, and advancing the principles of ecological sustainability and intergenerational equity.