COP15 to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

India has prominently showcased its global leadership in wetlands conservation at the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Union Minister Bhupender Yadav highlighted India’s philosophy of “Oneness with Nature” and its integrated approach to sustainable wetland management.

India’s Achievements in Wetlands Conservation:

• Extensive Network of Ramsar Sites: India currently boasts 91 Ramsar Sites, collectively covering 1.36 million hectares. This makes India’s network of protected wetlands:
  • Asia’s largest.
  • The world’s third-largest.
  • Has seen a remarkable 250 percent expansion over the past decade.
• International Recognition for Wetland Cities: For the first time, two Indian cities, Indore and Udaipur, have received international recognition as Wetland Cities, underscoring the nation’s commitment to urban wetland conservation.
• Impact of National Initiatives: These achievements are attributed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and significant environmental campaigns, including:
  • Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment)
  • Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam (One Tree for Mother)
• Citizen-Led Mobilization: Citizen-led initiatives like Mission Sahbhagita and the Save Wetlands Campaign have successfully mobilized over two million people. This has resulted in the mapping and boundary demarcation of more than 170,000 wetlands across the country.
• Policy and Constitutional Mandate: India’s conservation efforts are deeply rooted in its constitutional mandates and various national environmental plans. The country also actively supports the UNEA Resolution 6/8 on promoting sustainable lifestyles.

International Engagement:

• During COP15, Minister Yadav also engaged in bilateral meetings with representatives from key global environmental conventions.
• He urged international participation and collaboration in significant global initiatives led by India, such as the International Big Cat Alliance and the International Solar Alliance.