Question : Preservation of Wetland

(a) whether the Government has formulated any plan to identify and restore all the wetlands across the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the details of wetlands identified for the purpose so far, State/UT-wise;
(c) whether the Government is considering any policy for preservation of wetlands which are fast depleting and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government has proposed any law that prevent destruction of mangrove forest for development works in both reserved areas and Government lands and if so, the details thereof;
(e) if not, whether the Government intends to propose any other law regarding the same and if so, the details thereof; and
(f) the steps taken by the Government to combat land degradation due to desertification, soil erosion and depletion of wetlands in a time bound manner?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

(a)to (c) Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) is currently implementing a centrally sponsored scheme namely, National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems (NPCA) for conservation and management of wetlands in the country on cost sharing basis between Central Government and respective State Governments. The scheme aims at holistic conservation and restoration of wetlands including lakes for achieving the desired water quality enhancement, besides improvement in biodiversity and ecosystem through an integrated and multidisciplinary approach and a common regulatory framework.

Under the 100 Days Action Plan,the Ministry initiated a programme for rejuvenation and restoration of 130 wetlands identified in consultation with State Governments/UTs wherein, a four-pronged approach was followed for each wetland to prepare Brief Documents and Wetland Health Cards, institute Wetland Mitras and formulate Integrated Management Plans.Four Handholding workshops and four Regional Workshops were also conducted for capacity building of the wetland managers and nodal officers.

The Central Government has also notified the Wetlands (Conservation & Management) Rules, 2017 superseding the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2010. Guidelines for these rules have also been released.

(d) & (e) The Government has been taking steps to protect and enhance mangrove cover in the country through promotional as well as regulatory measures. The promotional measures are being implemented through a central sector scheme under National Coastal Mission Programme of the Ministry.

Regulatory measures are implemented through Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification (2019) under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972; the Indian Forest Act, 1927; the Biological Diversity Act, 2002; and rules under these acts as amended from time to time.

(f) National Afforestation & Eco Development Board (NAEB) of the Ministry is implementing the “National Afforestation Programme (NAP)” for ecological restoration of degraded forest areas under which an area of over 2 million hectares has been approved for afforestation. NAP also supports Soil Moisture Conservation activities to improve the soil moisture regime in the implementation area alongwith providing livelihood support for the locals. This multi activity, multi target and multi benefit approach is helpful in checking land Degradation.

Other schemes like Green India Mission provide funds under Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), Nagar Van Yojana, etc. also help in checking degradation and restoration of forest landscape. Ministry also promote tree outside forests realizing that the country has a huge potential for increasing its Trees Outside Forest area through expansion of agroforestry, optimum use of wastelands and vacant lands.

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