HPSWA approves Integrated Management Plans for Pong Dam, Renuka and Chandertal wetlands and releases notification for District Level Wetlands Committees in Himachal Pradesh

31 Oct, 2023

The first session of the Himachal Pradesh State Wetland Authority (HPSWA) was held on 10 August 2023, chaired by Chief Secretary of the Government of Himachal Pradesh. At the forefront of the agenda was endorsement of Integrated Management Plans (IMPs) for the three Ramsar Sites in Himachal Pradesh: Pong Dam Lake, Renuka, and Chandertal wetlands.

The IMPs for Pong Dam Lake and Renuka Wetland have been supported by the MoEF&CC and IKI-BMUV project on ‘Wetlands Management for Biodiversity and Climate Protection’ implemented by GIZ with technical support from Wetland International-South Asia. The plans are a result of extensive contributions from various wetland assessments and inclusive stakeholder consultations. They integrate expertise and insights of govt. departments, experts, local communities and key stakeholders.

HPSWA’s discussions on Renuka Lake centred around interventions proposed for sanitation and waste management as well as tackling soil erosion from the northeastern part of the catchment. For Pong Dam, the focus rested on sustainable fishing, ecotourism and local stakeholder engagement in conservation efforts. The assessment of Chandertal wetlands underscored concerns related to tourist influx and the challenges posed by changing climate conditions. All three IMPs were approved by the HPSWA and further recommended for financial assistance under the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA).

During the meeting, a proposal to establish District Level Wetland Committees (DLWCs) for the effective monitoring and management of wetlands at the district level in Himachal Pradesh was proposed and approved. The Department issued a notification for the creation of DLWCs on October 31, 2023. These committees will be headed by the Deputy Commissioner of the respective district, with the Divisional Forest Officer serving as the Member Convener. Other members will include government officials from key departments and nominated wetland expert(s).

© Himachal Tonight Discussion on the three IMPs taking place with high-level participation

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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