Centre acknowledges 39 wetlands
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 26 2020:
The Ministry of Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Government of India has 'acknowledged' 39 wetlands of the State for conservation, said Directorate of Environment & Climate Change, Development Officer Dr Laishram Bijen Meitei.
Addressing a press meet at the office of the Directorate of Environment & Climate Change, GoM at Porompat, today, Laishram Bijen said the wetlands were acknowledged under the Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017.The Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017 decentralised wetlands management by giving States power to identify, notify wetlands and keep watch on prohibited activities for conservation.
The Ministry had directed the Directorate of Environment & Climate Change to identify wetlands in the State following which the 39 wetlands across the State were identified and acknowledged, he said adding brief documents, health cards will be prepared soon for conservation.
Wetland Mitra will be invited for conservation of the wetlands with the assistance of the locals, he said.
Acknowledging the importance of wetland conservation further, Bijen said that the Directorate of Environment & Climate Change is aiming to identify at least two wetlands from each district and apprise the Ministry for their conservation.
Discovery Manipur (DM) and Development and Empowerment of Volunteers' Integration (DEVI) will be assisting the Directorate in identifying the wetlands, he added.
Discovery Manipur (DM), Secretary, Chou-durimayum Joyku-mar, who was present at the press meet said that the DM under the Directorate of Environment & Climate Change and Manipur State Wetland Authority has been exploring wetlands in the State for conservation.
A wetland at Tengnoupal district's Chingkhan Yoner village and Khoibu village area was explored on February 23, he said.
It may be noted that of the 39 wetlands, 7 - Ikop Pat, Kachouphung Pat, Zaimeng Pat, Yaral Pat, Pumlou Pat, Waithou Pat and Uttra Pat were approved for conservation by the State Wetland Authority recently.