The Union Government has today clarified that Bhoj Wetland in Bhopal, an international Ramsar site, is not under threat of being delisted from the Ramsar Convention list of wetlands of international importance. Recent reports had suggested that Bhoj Wetland was at risk of losing its Ramsar status.
Background on Ramsar Convention
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands was signed in February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, under UNESCO’s auspices. It aims to protect wetlands of international importance.
Concerns Raised
Local environmental activists filed a complaint with the Ramsar Convention Secretariat after a proposed road project through the Bhoj Wetland catchment area raised concerns about potential threats to the wetland’s ecological integrity.
Government Response
Kirti Vardhan Singh, Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, stated, as reported by the Madhya Pradesh State Wetland Authority, that Bhoj Wetland faces no threat of delisting.
Regulatory Framework
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has established the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. These rules provide a regulatory framework for the conservation and management of wetlands, restricting activities such as:
- Solid waste dumping
- Discharge of untreated waste and effluents from various sources
Enforcement and Conservation Efforts
The Government of Madhya Pradesh issued an order on March 16, 2022, to enforce the Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 at Bhoj Wetland.
The MoEF&CC is also implementing the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA), a centrally sponsored scheme for wetland conservation. This scheme covers various activities including:
- Wastewater treatment
- Shoreline protection
- Lakefront development
- Desilting and de-weeding
- Stormwater management
- Bioremediation
- Lake beautification
- Fisheries development
- Biodiversity conservation
- Community participation
Financial Assistance
Based on proposals from the State Government of Madhya Pradesh, the Ministry sanctioned projects totaling ₹432.03 lakhs for the conservation of Bhoj Wetland during 2018-2019. A central share of ₹200.00 lakhs out of ₹259.22 lakhs has been released to the Government of Madhya Pradesh for these efforts.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What recent concern was addressed by the Union Government regarding Bhoj Wetland?
- A. The wetland’s health was deteriorating
- B. The wetland was under threat of delisting from the Ramsar list
- C. The wetland’s funding was insufficient
- D. A new road was planned through the wetland
- When was the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands signed?
- A. February 1971
- B. February 1981
- C. March 1971
- D. March 1981
- What is the primary purpose of the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017?
- A. To promote tourism in wetlands
- B. To provide a regulatory framework for the conservation and management of wetlands
- C. To encourage industrial development near wetlands
- D. To increase water usage in wetlands
- Which scheme is the MoEF&CC implementing for wetland conservation?
- A. National River Conservation Plan (NRCP)
- B. National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA)
- C. National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP)
- D. National Water Mission (NWM)
- How much central funding has been released for the conservation of Bhoj Wetland as of the 2018-2019 period?
- A. ₹200.00 lakhs
- B. ₹259.22 lakhs
- C. ₹432.03 lakhs
- D. ₹150.00 lakhs