India gets its first “Centre for Wetland Conservation and Management (CWCM)”

What is the news?

The Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has announced the establishment of a Centre for Wetland Conservation and Management(CWCM) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. This announcement came on the occasion of World Wetland Day.

About Centre for Wetland Conservation and Management(CWCM):

1. The Centre has been established as a part of the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management(NCSCM). This centre comes under the Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.
2. Aim: To address specific research needs and knowledge gaps in the conservation and management of wetlands.
3. Key Functions of the centre:
   1. It will help in building partnerships and networks with relevant national and international agencies.
   2. Center will serve as a knowledge hub. It enables exchange between State/ UT Wetland Authorities, wetland users, managers, researchers, policy-makers, and practitioners.
   3. Moreover, it will assist the national and State/ UT Governments in the design and implementation of policy and regulatory frameworks for conservation.

Additional Facts:

1. World Wetlands Day: It is celebrated every year on 2 February. This day marks the date of the adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971.
2. Aim: To raise global awareness about the vital role played by wetlands for people and our planet.
3. The theme for 2021: ‘Wetlands and Water’. This year’s theme is most significant as the UN Decades of Ocean Science and Ecosystem Restoration begins in 2021.
4. Wetlands in India: Nearly 4.6% of India’s land is designated as wetlands. They cover an area of 15.26 million hectares.
5. Moreover, India has 42 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites), with a surface area of 1.08 million hectares.

Source: PIB