After long delay, IMP worth Rs 13 cr submitted to MoEF
*Out of 5 sites, only Wular getting substantial funding
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Dec 22: Surinsar-Mansar Ramsar Site of international importance in Jammu and Kashmir is likely to start getting funds under Centrally Sponsored Scheme– National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-Systems (NPCA) as after long delay the Integrated Management Plan (IMP) worth Rs 13 crore has been submitted to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF).
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There are five wetlands namely Wullar Lake, Surinsar-Mansar Lakes, Hokera Lake, Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve and Shailbugh Wetland Conservation Reserve that have been designated as the Ramsar Sites of international importance in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Wullar Lake was declared as Ramsar Site on March 23, 1990 and Hokera Wetland and Surinsar-Mansar Lakes were designated as Ramsar Sites on November 8, 2005. Likewise, Shailbugh and Hygam were declared Ramsar Sites on June 8, 2022
As per the guidelines for implementation of Wetlands (Conservation & Management) Rules, 2017 issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forest, management of each notified wetland is guided by an Integrated Management Plan (IMP).
The Union Ministry supports the implementation of approved IMPs through an ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scheme namely National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-Systems (NPCA) for conservation and management of wetlands and lakes on cost-sharing basis between the Central Government and respective State/UT Governments. Under NPCA, the Union Territories get 100% Central Government funding.
As per the official document of the Ministry of Environment and Forest, the copy of which is available with EXCELSIOR, the IMPs of Hokera Wetland, Shalibug Conservation Reserve and Hygam Conservation Reserve, all in Kashmir province, are under technical appraisal by the IIT Roorkee while as IMP of Wular Lake has been approved by the Union Ministry and the total project cost is Rs 38.28 crore against which Rs 9 crore was released on March 31, 2023.
“After long delay, the Integrated Management Plan of Surinsar-Mansar Ramsar Site worth Rs 13 crore has recently been submitted by the Wildlife Protection Department of J&K Government to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest”, sources informed and hoped that this site will start receiving funds from the Ministry under NPCA.
When contacted, Sarvesh Rai, Chief Wildlife Warden J&K confirmed that Integrated Management Plan for Surinsar-Mansar Ramsar Site has been submitted to the Union Ministry. “Now we will follow-up with the Ministry for early approval so that during next financial year (2025-26) we will be able to obtain funds under NPCA”, he added.
“At present, certain works are being carried out under CAMPA but it is a fact that NPCA is the major source of funding and we have not been able to obtain benefit of the same till now”, he said in response to a question.
The NPCA covers various activities such as interception, diversion and treatment of wastewater, shoreline protection, lake front development, in-situ cleaning (de-silting & de-weeding), storm water management, bio-remediation, catchment area treatment, lake beautification, survey & demarcation, bio-fencing, fisheries development, weed control, bio-diversity conservation, education and awareness creation and community participation etc.
The specific objectives of NPCA are—developing policy guidelines for conservation and sustainable management of wetlands; supporting, promoting and strengthening conservation of prioritized wetlands through integrated management; facilitating the development of a national inventory, and setting up an information decision support system for the management of wetlands; strengthening the capacity of wetlands managers and stakeholders for effective management of wetlands and strengthening the implementation of international commitments related to wetlands.
It is pertinent to mention here that to facilitate the implementation of NPCA, detailed guidelines were issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forest earlier this year. These guidelines are intended to streamline the details required for development of institutional mechanism at national as well as state levels and optimize the project reports and proposals submitted under the NPCA.
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