Context:
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has submitted three city nominations from India for the Wetland City Accreditation (WCA). The nominated cities are Indore and Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, along with Udaipur in Rajasthan.
Relevance:
GS III: Environment and Ecology
Wetland City Accreditation (WCA):
- A voluntary accreditation system by the Ramsar Convention, initiated during COP 12, 2015.
- Recognizes cities prioritizing the safeguarding of urban wetlands.
- Aims to promote conservation, wise use, and socio-economic benefits of urban and peri-urban wetlands.
- Valid for 6 years, fostering positive relationships with valuable ecosystems.
Key Highlights of Nominated Cities:
Indore:
- Cleanest city in India, awarded India’s Smart City 2023 for sanitation.
- Sirpur Lake, a Ramsar Site, developed as a Bird Sanctuary.
- Over 200 wetland mitras actively engage in bird conservation, particularly protecting the Sarus Crane.
Bhopal:
- One of India’s cleanest cities with proposed conservation zones around wetlands in its draft City Development Plan 2031.
- Bhoj Wetland, a Ramsar Site, equipped with a world-class wetlands interpretation center (Jal Tarang).
- Bhopal Municipal Corporation has a dedicated Lake Conservation Cell.
Udaipur:
- Surrounded by five major wetlands: Pichola, Fateh Sagar, Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar, and Doodh Talai.
- Integral to the city’s culture and identity, maintaining the microclimate and providing a buffer from extreme events.
