Aimed at promoting an environmentally harmonious plan for conservation and management of wetlands in the State, the Punjab Government has reconstituted the Steering Committee for the purpose under the chairmanship of the State Chief Secretary.
Principal Secretary, Science and Technology and Environment will be the vice-chairman of the committee.Punjab is home to three internationally acclaimed wetlands — Harike, Kanjli and Ropar. Keshopur and Ranjit Sagar are also large wetlands.The committee will look into the promotion of inter-departmental and inter-sectoral coordination for conservation and management of wetlands in the State.
It will also identify the problems in the proper maintenance of wetlands and suggest remedial measures to overcome these problems.
He said that committee will also evaluate plans and proposals of all departments of the Government which have a bearing on the future of wetland resources, and also monitor the progress of implementation of management plans and to regulate, screen and monitor development activities which have a bearing on the Wetland Ecosystems.
The committee members also include Additional Secretary Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, representative of the Indian Army, Financial Commissioner (Development), Punjab, among others.Wetlands are defined as areas of land that is either temporarily or permanently covered by water. They are neither truly aquatic nor terrestrial. Each wetland is ecologically unique.
It recycles nutrients, purifies and provides drinking water, reduces flooding, recharges groundwater, provides fodder and fuel, facilitates aqua-culture, provides a habitat for wildlife, buffers the shoreline against erosion and offers avenues for recreation.The country has 26 sites designated as wetlands of international importance, like Wular lake in Kashmir (fresh water), Sambhar in Rajasthan (salt) to Chilka lake in Odisha (brackish).
The term of the Committee shall be for three years or till the new committee is constituted whichever is earlier, and it shall meet from time to time.