Multi-stakeholder meetings for Integrated Management of Point Calimere Ramsar Site

15 Sep, 2022

The Wildlife Division (Tamil Nadu Forest Department), in collaboration with Tamil Nadu State Wetland Authority (TNSWA) and GIZ, have prepared the Integrated Management Plan (IMP) for Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary, the first Ramsar site to be designated in Tamil Nadu. This IMP is in line with the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA), a flagship scheme of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), and also outlines the commitment of the Government of Tamil Nadu for conservation and management of Point Calimere Ramsar Site. Further, this IMP would serve as a model for the preparation of IMPs for the newly designated Ramsar sites in the state.

NPCA emphasises the need for a cross-sectoral approach considering the full range of ecosystem services and values of wetlands by integrating objectives of multiple departments into an Integrated Management Plan. The IMP, thus prepared, fulfils needs and reflects the aspirations of multiple stakeholders. Point Calimere IMP describes the strategies and actions needed to achieve its wise use, through a cross-sectoral approach involving stakeholders such as Water Resources, Fisheries, Agriculture, Rural Development, Pollution Control, and Panchayats, among others.

In this context, two stakeholder meetings were organised with the government line departments in Nagapattinam and Thiruvarur districts on 13^th and 14^th September 2022, respectively, to discuss the integrated management plan (IMP) and finalise joint management actions. The District Forest Officers, Mr. Yogesh Kumar Meena, IFS, Wildlife Warden, Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary and Dr. Arivoli, DFO, Thiruvarur, welcomed all the departments and highlighted significance of wetlands and Point Calimere Ramsar site and the role of various stakeholders in preparing and implementing the IMP. The District Collectors, Dr. A. Arun Thamburaj, IAS (Nagapattinam) and Ms. Gayathri Krishnan, IAS (Thiruvarur) chaired the meetings, who called for active participation of the departments in providing their inputs, as this IMP would serve as a model for the preparation of other IMPs in the state.

Key interventions for enhanced freshwater and seawater flow into Point Calimere Ramsar site were discussed in the meeting. The Water Resources department suggested dredging various streams draining into the site to improve freshwater inflow. A feasibility study for dredging the streams and Muthupet and Seruthalaikadu lagoon mouths for improved sea water inflow will also be undertaken by the Water Resources department. Rainwater storage in the Vedaranyam canal and restoration of wetlands and canals identified by the local communities were also discussed. Further, the Agriculture Engineering, Revenue departments and District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) offered to support the construction of new farm ponds, restoration of existing ponds and providing a list of poromboke lands.

To improve the quality of water in and around the Ramsar site, the role of Fisheries and Agriculture Departments in promoting sustainable practices and treatment of effluents from aquaculture farms was discussed. Regional institutes like the Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture and Fisheries University were identified to support piloting of the effluent treatment system. For the management of Prosopis, DRDA’s support in its removal and role of Animal Husbandry in management of stray cattle to regulate its spread were discussed. The role of the Tourism Department in supporting the development of ecotourism in the region and supporting local livelihoods was found to be a vital convergence activity. These meetings helped in the finalisation and agreement of actions which will be jointly implemented by the government line departments. As a next step, the final IMP, along with the agreed action plan and budget estimate will be submitted to the Chief Wildlife Warden and Tamil Nadu State Wetland Authority to seek due approval and its implementation.

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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