Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Minister, Jal Shakti Ministry, recently highlighted the importance of Gangetic floodplain wetlands, by sharing a video clip focussing on the implementation of programs mooted under National mission on clean Ganga (NMCG), on his official page on social networking site, Facebook.
The news clip from the state-run public broadcaster, DD news, emphasised on the holistic wetlands-based strategy being developed by NMCG for ensuring uninterrupted and clean flow of river Ganga. Mr. Rajiv Ranjan Mishra, Director, NMCG, while stressing on the environmental and social benefits of wetlands, shared that assessment of floodplain wetlands of Ganga basin states is being done which would lead to formulation of their management plans. He further elaborated that a Rapid Wetlands Assessment tool has been developed by Wetlands International South Asia for conducting the process in an efficient and time bound manner.
While elaborating on the hydrological, ecological and climate security related aspects of wetlands, the news report stated that out of 37 Ramsar sites in India, 7 are situated within Ganga basin state of Uttar Pradesh. Sharing that conservation of Gangetic floodplain wetlands is one of the foremost priorities of the National Mission on Clean Ganga, the report also highlighted that integrated management plans are being developed by Uttar Pradesh forest department for 226 wetland sites in the state.
Wetlands International South Asia is providing technical support to the Uttar Pradesh State wetlands authority and the forest department in assessment of the Gangetic floodplain wetlands. We strongly believe that River Ganga cannot regain the pristine form, unless supporting wetlands are conserved with their hydrogeomorphic as well as ecological functionality restored. We continue to strive in our quest to conserve wetlands to help the National river flow in its full spirit and glory.
Watch the video clip here:
https://www.facebook.com/689192977790894/posts/3179192128790954/?sfnsn=wiwspmo&extid=zqeqtzqlsRPZfXGG&d=n&vh=e