Uttar Pradesh Government to Notify 23 High-Priority Wetlands for Conservation
The Uttar Pradesh government is set to take a significant step towards environmental conservation by notifying 23 high-priority wetlands across the state. This move, covering over 750 hectares in 14 districts along the Ganga river basin, will enable their protection under the stringent provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act.
Decision Taken in State Wetland Authority Meeting
The crucial decision was finalized during the recent meeting of the Uttar Pradesh State Wetland Authority, held on Monday. The session was chaired by Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Independent Charge) AK Saxena, who emphasized the importance of preserving these vital ecosystems.
Geographical Distribution of Notified Wetlands
The 23 wetlands slated for notification are located in the following districts:
- Aligarh
- Badaun
- Kasganj
- Prayagraj
- Kanpur City
- Chandauli
- Farrukhabad
- Unnao
- Bhadohi
- Muzaffarnagar
- Bulandshahr
- Ballia
- Bijnor
- Amroha
These wetlands will be officially notified under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, providing them with legal protection against degradation and encroachment.
Additional Wetlands Under Consideration
In a parallel conservation effort, the state government has also identified 28 additional wetlands spanning 1,130.653 hectares in Maharajganj, Balrampur, Ayodhya, Sant Kabir Nagar, and Siddharth Nagar districts for notification. Furthermore, the process to notify 50 more wetlands across nine districts is currently underway, with the initial decision to notify these sites having been taken in 2023.
Ecological Importance of Wetlands
Wetlands play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by absorbing atmospheric carbon and storing it for extended periods. This carbon sequestration capability makes them vital in the fight against climate change and environmental degradation.
One District One Wetland Initiative
In another groundbreaking move towards wetland conservation, the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department will develop one wetland in every district as an ecotourism site under the innovative One District One Wetland (ODOW) initiative. This program aims to conserve and protect wetlands that lie outside designated protected areas, many of which are recognized as Important Bird Areas.
Scale of Wetland Conservation Challenge
Uttar Pradesh is home to numerous wetlands, with estimates suggesting approximately 1.2 lakh wetlands exist outside forest areas and around 500 within them. Data from 2020 indicates that at least 23,800 of these wetlands may be larger than 2.2 hectares and require urgent conservation measures.
Revenue records present a slightly different picture, estimating that about 26,000 wetlands in the state exceed two hectares in area. This discrepancy highlights the need for comprehensive mapping and conservation strategies to protect these invaluable natural resources.
The notification of these wetlands marks a significant advancement in Uttar Pradesh's environmental conservation efforts, ensuring these ecosystems receive the protection they need for future generations.
