Rs 143cr released for conservation, mgmt of 4 Ramsar wetlands in state: Ministry to HC
Cuttack: The ministry of environment, forest and climate change informed the Orissa high court on Wednesday that Rs 143.21 crore was released for the conservation and management of four of the six wetlands in Odisha, which are recognised under the Ramsar Convention.
An affidavit submitted by scientist ‘E’ at the ministry’s regional office (Bhubaneswar), Timir Haran Mahato, stated that financial assistance was provided to states/Union Territories under the National Wetlands Conservation Programme (NWCP) and National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) until 2012-13.
To achieve better synergy and avoid overlap, the NWCP and NLCP were merged into a centrally sponsored scheme, ‘National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems‘ (NPCA), in 2013. Accordingly, the ministry is currently implementing NPCA for the conservation and management of wetlands in the country on a cost-sharing basis between the central and state govts.
Providing details of the funds allocated for wetlands in Odisha, Dr Mahato stated that the ministry released Rs 72.50 crore from 2021-23 for the Bhitarkanika mangroves, which was designated as a Ramsar site in 2002. Between 1989-2024, Rs 30.87 crore was provided for Chilika lake and Rs 33.40 crore for the Satkosia gorge between 2015 and 2025. Both were declared Ramsar sites in 1981 and 2021, respectively. As for Ansupa lake, the ministry released Rs 6.44 crore between 2008 and 2021. It was recognised as a Ramsar site in 2021.
In the case of two other wetlands declared Ramsar sites — Tampara lake and Hirakud reservoir — the integrated management plan (IMP) is under preparation and awaited, respectively. Both were declared Ramsar sites in 2021, the affidavit said.
The HC was hearing a PIL initiated suo motu by it on Jan 22 to monitor the conservation of six wetlands in the state. The proceeding was initiated following a Supreme Court order on Dec 11 last year, which called for the protection of 85 Ramsar sites across the country.
Taking note of the affidavit, the two-judge bench of acting Chief Justice Arindam Sinha and Justice M S Sahoo scheduled March 5 as the next date to assess the progress of the implementation of the SC order, expecting affidavits from authorities concerned by then.
The SC directed each of the state/UT wetland authorities “to complete ground truthing as well as the demarcation of wetland boundaries of each of the wetlands which have been identified for their state by Space Application Centre (SAC) Atlas, 2021, within three months”. High courts were also directed “to ensure that the Ramsar sites within their jurisdiction are properly maintained”.
An affidavit submitted by scientist ‘E’ at the ministry’s regional office (Bhubaneswar), Timir Haran Mahato, stated that financial assistance was provided to states/Union Territories under the National Wetlands Conservation Programme (NWCP) and National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) until 2012-13.
To achieve better synergy and avoid overlap, the NWCP and NLCP were merged into a centrally sponsored scheme, ‘National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems‘ (NPCA), in 2013. Accordingly, the ministry is currently implementing NPCA for the conservation and management of wetlands in the country on a cost-sharing basis between the central and state govts.
Providing details of the funds allocated for wetlands in Odisha, Dr Mahato stated that the ministry released Rs 72.50 crore from 2021-23 for the Bhitarkanika mangroves, which was designated as a Ramsar site in 2002. Between 1989-2024, Rs 30.87 crore was provided for Chilika lake and Rs 33.40 crore for the Satkosia gorge between 2015 and 2025. Both were declared Ramsar sites in 1981 and 2021, respectively. As for Ansupa lake, the ministry released Rs 6.44 crore between 2008 and 2021. It was recognised as a Ramsar site in 2021.
In the case of two other wetlands declared Ramsar sites — Tampara lake and Hirakud reservoir — the integrated management plan (IMP) is under preparation and awaited, respectively. Both were declared Ramsar sites in 2021, the affidavit said.
The HC was hearing a PIL initiated suo motu by it on Jan 22 to monitor the conservation of six wetlands in the state. The proceeding was initiated following a Supreme Court order on Dec 11 last year, which called for the protection of 85 Ramsar sites across the country.
Taking note of the affidavit, the two-judge bench of acting Chief Justice Arindam Sinha and Justice M S Sahoo scheduled March 5 as the next date to assess the progress of the implementation of the SC order, expecting affidavits from authorities concerned by then.
The SC directed each of the state/UT wetland authorities “to complete ground truthing as well as the demarcation of wetland boundaries of each of the wetlands which have been identified for their state by Space Application Centre (SAC) Atlas, 2021, within three months”. High courts were also directed “to ensure that the Ramsar sites within their jurisdiction are properly maintained”.
