Indore and Udaipur have become the first two Indian cities to earn a spot on the global list of accredited wetland cities under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
About Ramsar Wetland City Accreditation
- Purpose: Recognizes cities globally that prioritize wetland conservation while balancing sustainable urban development.
- Global Status: Only 31 cities worldwide have earned this accreditation.
- Benefits: Provides international recognition, encourages positive publicity, and strengthens conservation efforts for both natural and human-made wetlands.
Indore
- Key Feature: Sirpur Lake, a Ramsar site, supports water bird congregation and is under development as a Bird Sanctuary.
- Community Involvement: Over 200 wetland mitras actively work on bird conservation, with efforts focused on protecting species like the Sarus Crane.
- Achievements: Known for its cleanliness and innovation in urban management, Indore won the Smart City Award 2023 for its outstanding sanitation, water, and environmental projects.
Udaipur
- Key Feature: Surrounded by five significant wetlands (Pichola, Fateh Sagar, Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar, and Doodh Talai).
- Importance: These wetlands play a crucial role in maintaining the city’s microclimate, preventing extreme weather impacts, and forming part of Udaipur’s cultural identity.
About Ramsar Convention
- India is one of the Contracting Parties to Ramsar Convention, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. India became a signatory to the convention on 1st February 1982.
- Currently, India 85 Ramsar Sites. During 2014 to 2024, the country has added 59 new wetlands to the list of Ramsar sites.
- Currently, Tamil Nadu harbours maximum number of Ramsar Sites (18 sites) followed by Uttar Pradesh (10 sites).
- Wetlands serve vital ecosystem services, including: Flood control, Water purification, Wildlife habitats, etc.
(Source: PIB)
