Workshop on Climate Risk Assessment for Integrated Wetland Management

28 Jul, 2021

Projected changes in the climate are expected to increase temperatures, modify precipitation, cause sea-level rise, and increase extreme climate events. An understanding of climate change risks is therefore essential to prioritise and plan appropriate adaptation and mitigation actions for managing the risks. For this purpose, International Centre for Environmental Management (ICEM), under the project, conducted climate risk assessments at the project sites, which identified relevant measures to reduce climate risk, and which would be incorporated in the integrated management plans.

A workshop was organised to discuss results from the assessment studies, specifically, aspects of wetland vulnerability that can be addressed through adaptation measures, thereby promoting a strategic approach to integrated management planning. The workshop had over 80 participants including MoEFCC, Forest Department officials, knowledge partners, NGOs and experts.

Mr Nishant Thakur, HPAS Joint Member Secretary, HIMCOSTE, spoke about the significance of wetlands in Himachal Pradesh and how improved knowledge is needed to assist wetland managers to understand the impact of climate change. Dr Ritesh Kumar, Director, WISA, explained that assessment of climate vulnerability is important for wetland management which earlier focussed largely on building information from the past. Dr Jeremy Carew Reid, Director General, ICEM, discussed vulnerability assessment and adaptation planning in India’s Ramsar sites. He explained the climate change adaptation cycle which includes vulnerability assessment, adaptation planning and implementation.

Bhitarkanika was presented as a case study, illustrating the application of CAM methodology to guide adaptive management. Bhitarkanika site manager, Dr J.D. Pati, IFS, spoke about the significance and management challenges of the Ramsar site. In this region, adapting to climate extremes including sea-level rise, cyclones and storm surges is a significant management challenge. This was followed by a discussion on adaptation options for the four most vulnerable assets of the site by Dr Sai Bhaskar Reddy Nakka, Consultant, ICEM.

The workshop highlighted that it is important to prioritise climate change adaptation recommendations both spatially and temporally taking into consideration the capacity of site managers for implementation. Additionally, the implementation of the Wetland Rules (2017) is an important step in integrating climate risks in wetland management.

Bhitarkanika Mangroves in Odisha ©GIZ/Kunal Bharat

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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