On the occasion of the World Wetland Day, the Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Sh. Babul Supriyo on February 2, 2021 announced the establishment of a Centre for Wetland Conservation and Management (CWCM).
- The Centre for Wetland Conservation and Management is a part of the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management(NCSCM), Chennai.
- The dedicated Centre would address specific research needs and knowledge gaps and will aid in the application of integrated approaches for conservation, management and wise use of the wetlands.
- India has nearly 4.6% of its land as wetlands, covering an area of 15.26 million hectares and has 42 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites), with a surface area of 1.08 million hectares.
- The year 2021 also commemorates the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, celebrated annually as World Wetlands Day.
- The Centre will help in building partnership and networks with relevant national and international agencies.
- WCM would serve as a knowledge hub and enable exchange between State/ UT Wetland Authorities, wetland users, managers, researchers, policy-makers and practitioners.
