Wetlands—including marshes, lakes, mangroves, and floodplains—function as “the kidneys of the landscape”, filtering toxins, recharging groundwater, attenuating floods, and supporting biodiversity. Launched in 1985–86, the National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP) (now integrated into the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems – NPCA) provides the operational framework to preserve these fragile ecosystems.

Key Objectives and Dimensions of the NWCP

• Identification and Scientific Delineation: Coordinates with state governments to conduct ecological assessments, mapping wetland boundaries to identify degradation threats.
• Financial and Technical Assistance: Provides central financial assistance to states for implementing site-specific Management Action Plans (MAPs) covering catchment treatment, desiltation, and weed control.
• Pollution Interception: Works with municipal bodies to treat incoming wastewater, reduce agrochemical runoff, and halt untreated industrial discharges into natural lakes.
• Community-Centric Conservation: Trains fringe fishing communities and youth (Wetland Mitras) in sustainable resource harvesting, promoting community ownership.
• Statutory Regulation: Supports enforcement of the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, which established State Wetland Authorities and prohibited commercial expansion within core wetland zones.

India’s Wetlands of International Importance Included in Ramsar Sites

India’s Ramsar network includes 85 designated sites, with several recognized for their ecological significance:

• Chilika Lake (Odisha): Asia’s largest brackish-water coastal lagoon, a primary wintering ground for migratory birds on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway and habitat for the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin. It was removed from the Montreux Record following successful hydrological restoration.
• The Sundarbans Wetland (West Bengal): The world’s largest contiguous mangrove delta, providing a coastal buffer against cyclonic surges and serving as the primary habitat for the Royal Bengal Tiger.
• Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan): A human-made wetland ecosystem, UNESCO World Heritage site, and habitat for waterbirds, currently listed on the Montreux Record due to water-supply challenges.
• Loktak Lake (Manipur): The largest freshwater lake in Northeast India, famous for its floating vegetation masses (Phumdis) and the sole natural habitat of the endangered Sangai brow-antlered deer (listed on the Montreux Record).
• Bhitarkanika Mangroves (Odisha): Supports rich mangrove biodiversity and serves as a primary nesting sanctuary for saltwater crocodiles and Olive Ridley sea turtles.
• Vembanad-Kol Wetland (Kerala): India’s longest wetland system, supporting flood retention and paddy farming below sea level in the Kuttanad agricultural tract.

Conserving wetlands under the NWCP and the Amrit Dharohar initiative balances ecosystem protection with community livelihoods, supporting climate resilience and biodiversity conservation.