Department of Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Jharkhand and Wetlands International South Asia sign MoU to Strengthen Wetlands Conservation in the Jharkhand
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Community resilience
The Department of Forest, Environment and Climate Change (DoFECC), Government of Jharkhand, and Wetlands International South Asia formalised a strategic partnership to advance the conservation and wise use of wetlands in the state by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Van Bhavan, Ranchi, on June 23, 2026. The partnership aims to support management planning, foster capacity development, and strengthen the knowledge base for wetland conservation in the state.
The MoU was signed between Dr Ritesh Kumar, Director, Wetlands International South Asia, and Shri S. R. Natesha, IFS, Chief Conservator of Forests and Member Secretary, State Wetland Authority, Government of Jharkhand. The partnership was formalised in the presence of Shri Ravi Ranjan, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), and Chairman, Technical Committee, State Wetland Authority, and Shri Sanjeev Kumar, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, Government of Jharkhand.
Under the ambit of the MoU, DoFECC and Wetlands International South Asia will collaborate to strengthen the knowledge base on wetland status and trends, support the prioritisation of wetlands for conservation action, and promote integrated approaches to wetland management in Jharkhand. Wetlands International South Asia will serve as a Technical Knowledge Partner to the State Wetland Authority and support activities related to wetland inventory and assessment, preparation of management planning tools, capacity development of wetland managers and stakeholders, and the dissemination of knowledge and best practices for wetland conservation and wise use.
The MoU marks an important step towards strengthening institutional collaboration for wetland conservation and creating a robust framework for evidence-based planning and management of wetlands in the state.