Adapting to COVID-19: Virtual expert consultation on planning capacity development strategy for wetland management

19 Sep, 2020

With an aim to contribute to strengthening the institutional framework and capacities for ecosystem-based integrated management of wetlands in India, a capacity and training needs assessment (CTNA) was undertaken in 2019. This was primarily based on capacities required for implementation of National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA) guidelines and Wetlands Rules 2017, encompassing integrated management planning for wetlands. The CTNA report highlighted capacity gaps and training needs for wetland management at national, state and site-level; suggested approaches for capacity development of stakeholders; and recommended training topics for different target groups.

As a next step towards devising a strategy for development of training programmes recommended by the CTNA report, an expert consultation was organised on 17 September 2020. Officials from Wetlands Division of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), State Wetland Authorities (SWA), project site managers, experts, and wetland knowledge partners participated in this consultation. The discussions highlighted the need for capacity development for wetland management for MoEFCC, SWAs, District Wetland Committees (DWC), site managers, frontline staff, CBOs, line departments and the private sector. The SWAs indicated the requirement for trainings on implementation of Wetland Rules, delineation of zone of influence, and integrated management planning. At the district level, orientation for DWC including the line departments and local administrative bodies was emphasised. The potential national and state level institutes for offering such trainings were also identified.

Under the present COVID-19 situation, the possibility of organising live online courses and self-paced modular online course for various target groups was also deliberated. It was proposed that such a course could be hosted on MoEFCC’s website and its Wetland Portal currently under development. Further, identification of set of resource persons and development of standardised course material, was suggested.

Based on the learning from this consultation, live trainings on the prioritised topics would be conducted, and modular online courses packaged into suitable combinations for various target groups would be developed.

©GIZ/Carrot Films

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About the project

The Wetlands Management for Biodiversity and Climate Protection project aims to strengthen the institutional framework and capacities for an ecosystem-based integrated management of wetlands of international importance (Ramsar sites) in India. Four Ramsar sites have been selected as pilot sites under the project: Pong Dam and Renuka Lake in Himachal Pradesh, Bhitarkanika Mangroves in Odisha, and the Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu. The project is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in close cooperation with the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA). This project is part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI). The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) supports this initiative on the basis of a decision adopted by the German Bundestag. Read More

For more information contact: biodiv.india@giz.de