Steps Towards Integrated Management Planning for Point Calimere Ramsar site

14 Apr, 2022

The National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA), a flagship scheme of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) recommends cross-sectoral management of wetland resources to achieve water, food, and climate security. Tamil Nadu State Wetland Authority and Forest Department, in collaboration with GIZ, have prepared the draft integrated management plan (IMP) for the Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary. It is the only Ramsar site in Tamil Nadu based on NPCA guidelines.

More recently, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu launched the “Tamil Nadu Wetlands Mission” for the ecological restoration of 100 wetlands, including the preparation of IMPs. Thus, the IMP prepared for Point Calimere Ramsar site through a participatory and cross-sectoral approach will be a good model for other wetlands in Tamil Nadu.

Point Calimere IMP aims to enhance the ecological health of the site to sustain its biodiversity and ecosystem services through a cross-sectoral approach, involving stakeholders such as Public Works, Fisheries, Agriculture, Pollution Control Board, Panchayats, etc. In this context, two meetings were organised on 13^th April 2022 at the office of the District Collector in both Nagapattinam and Thiruvarur districts, with the line departments to discuss the IMP and identify areas for joint actions.

In these meetings, it was proposed to constitute a joint field team, including PWD Engineers, Agriculture Department, Fisheries Department, Pollution Control Board and Water Supply and Drainage Board along with Forest Department to conduct field inspection for identification of measures which will improve water inflow to the site during the summer season. This would be followed by a joint meeting with the field team and Head of Departments to discuss the implementation details, timeline and financial layout of the measures identified.

Improving livelihoods around the site by creating income-generating opportunities such as eco-tourism, establishing farm ponds for sustainable fisheries, and the possibility of levying a local cess to promote the wise use of wetlands was also discussed.

As a follow-up of these meetings, a department-wise list of suggested management actions and data requirements has been shared with respective departments for their feedback regarding feasibility of implementation, availability of funding, challenges faced, and data for monitoring. Subsequently, consultation meetings with the relevant line departments, Panchayats, and other Community Based organisations will be organised to discuss the feedback and suggestions on the action plan and the way forward for its joint implementation.

*

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