Highlighting that the wetlands are indispensable for a host of ecosystem services that they provide to humanity, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday said comprehensive management plans for 17 important wetlands of the State are under preparation.
The Chief Minister, while speaking at a function on the World Wetlands Day 2015 organised by the Chilika Development Authority (CDA), said the services of Wetlands International are commissioned by the Odisha Wetland Development Authority (OWDA) for formulation of comprehensive management plans of important wetlands of the State.
“Necessary funding support is being provided to the OWDA for implementation of the management plans from the State Budget. It is heartening to learn that other States are emulating the model of Odisha for restoration and management of wetlands,” said the CM.
CDA Chief Executive Ajit Pattnaik said the scientific advisory panel of the Ramsar Convention had come to Chilika to adopt the best practices introduced to sustain the lagoon’s biodiversity since 2000.
Notably, Odisha is the first State to constitute a Wetland Management Authority in 2013 to improve the 17 important wetlands with its own funds. The CDA has set an example globally for successfully implementing wetland management in the Chilika lagoon in accordance with the Ramsar Convention, an international body providing guidelines for maintaining wetlands.
Forests and Environment Minister Bikram Keshari Arukh said Odisha has about 8 per cent of the country’s wetlands and the State Government has been maintaining them.
More than 300 participants, mainly school students, took part in the celebrations. Among others, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Sanjay Dasburma, Development Commissioner UN Behera and ex-Director of Zoological Survey of India Dr AK Ghosh also spoke on the occasion.