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Various parts of the country are reeling under a severe drought. Various ministries of the Government of India have initiated relief measures in drought prone areas. But when is a drought declared in any part of the country? What are the different parameters that are taken into account?

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What is Drought?

There is no universally accepted standard definition of drought because of its varying characteristics and impacts across different regions. According to the ‘Drought Management Manual’ released by the Ministry of Agriculture, drought is a recurrent feature of climate and occurs in all climatic regimes. Conditions of drought appear when the rainfall is deficient in comparison to the statistical multi-year average for a region, over an extended period of a season or year, or even more.

Unlike other natural disasters, drought is different in the sense that

• It is difficult to determine the beginning and end of the event
• Duration may range from months to years
• No single indicator or index can identify precisely the onset and severity and its potential impacts
• Multiple indicators are usually more effective
• Spatial extent is usually much greater than that for other natural hazards
• Impacts are generally non-structural and difficult to quantify
• Impacts are cumulative and the effects magnify when events continue from one season to the next

Impacts of Drought

There are many adverse direct and indirect impacts of drought. The impacts could be broadly categorized into Economic, Environmental & Social.

Economic: Economic impacts of drought include production losses in agriculture and other related sectors. It causes loss of income resulting in reduction of purchasing power especially among those dependent on agriculture and living in the rural areas. It also has a multiplier effect on other sectors dependent on agriculture for raw material.

Environmental: Decreased water levels in reservoirs, canals, ponds are the primary environmental impacts. This will lead to decreased availability of drinking water and water for other needs. It will also cause loss of forest cover etc.

Social: Migration of population is the top most social impact resulting out of lack of income. Decrease of income also leads to people withdrawing children from schools, postponement of marriages, sale of assets etc. It will also lead to inadequate food leading to malnutrition and other health hazards.

When is a drought declared?

The four indicators viz., rainfall deficiency, the extent of area sown, normalized difference vegetation index and moisture adequacy index are usually applied in combination for drought declaration. The information on these indicators is available at the level of Taluka / Tehsil / Block. Drought may be declared by the State Government at these levels.

Rainfall Deficiency: Rainfall is the most important indicator of drought. A departure in rainfall from its long-term averages is taken as the basis for drought declaration. The departure could be either measured for specific months or an entire season. Rainfall data are easily available and simple to apply. The rainfall data can be applied in two ways

• The State Government could consider declaring a drought if the total rainfall received during the months of June and July is less than 50% of the average rainfall for these two months and there is an adverse impact on vegetation and soil moisture
• The State Government could consider declaring a drought if the total rainfall for the entire duration of the rainy season of the state, from June to September (the south-west monsoon) and/or from December to March (north-east monsoon), is less than 75% of the average rainfall for the season and there is an adverse impact on vegetation and soil moisture

Area under Sowing: Sowing is another important indicator of the spread and severity of drought. Drought conditions could be said to exist if along with the other indicators, the total area sown by the end of July/August is less than 50% of the total cultivable area. In case of Rabi crops, the declaration of drought could be linked to the area of sowing being less than 50% of the total cultivable area by the end of November/December along with the other indicators.

Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI): The National Agricultural Drought Assessment and Monitoring System (NADAMS), instituted by the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), issues a bi-weekly drought bulletin and monthly reports on detailed crop and seasonal condition during the kharif season. These present the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Normalized Difference Wetness Index (NDWI). These reports provide quantitative information on sowings, surface water spread and District / Tehsil / Taluk /Block level crop condition assessment along with spatial variation in terms of maps. At present, 12 agriculturally important and drought-vulnerable States of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh are covered through these reports.

Moisture Adequacy Index (MAI): Moisture Adequacy Index (MAI) is based on a calculation of weekly water balance, is equal to the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of Actual Evapo Transpiration (AET) to the Potential Evapo Transpiration (PET) following a soil–water balancing approach during a cropping season.

Certain other factors are also taken into consideration before declaration of drought.

15 drought years in India since Independence

Since independence, there have been 15 drought years, from 1951 to 2002, in 1951, 1952, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1979, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1987 and 2002. The frequency of droughts has varied with 2 drought years in the 1950s and four in the 1960s. The 1970s and 1980s also had four drought years each. The 1990s did not see a single drought year. The next drought again was in 2002.

The 1987 drought was the worst drought after independence affecting 59–60% of the crop area and a population of 285 million. In 2002 too, over 300 million people spread over 18 States were affected by drought in varying degrees. Around 150 million cattle were affected due to lack of fodder and water. Food grains production registered the steepest fall of 29 million tonnes. No other drought in the past had caused reduction in food grain production to this extent.

What are the Relief Measures taken?

Various ministries of the Government of India viz., Agriculture, Rural Development, Drinking Water, Animal Husbandry, Food & Public Distribution, Water Resources, Home Affairs, Finance and Railways are involved in planning and implementing the relief measures.The state governments submit reports on drought condition with all the relevant information and the government of India extends support based on these reports. The various relief measures include financial assistance to states, contingency crop planning, relief employment, food security and initiatives to mitigate the impacts.

This article originally appeared at Saddahaq

First of all, look at the details below. What comes first to mind is- So much of factual data! Why should I read so many facts?

Let’s explore why?

#1. Increasing thrust on area of ecology due to combined Prelims of Civil Services and Forest Services

#2. Factual question trend has increased in Prelims (seen in 2015)

Proof for utility of this data?

A direct one…

[Prelims 2015] Which of the following National Parks is unique in being a swamp with floating vegetation that supports a rich biodiversity?
(a) Bhitarkanika National Park
(b) Keibul Lamjao National Park
(c) Keoladeo Ghana National Park
(d) Sultanpur National Park
Answer: See description for Loktak Lake (13th entry in details below)

Indirect…

[Prelims 2015] Which one of the following is the national aquatic animal of India?
(a) Saltwater crocodile
(b) Olive ridley turtle
(c) Gangetic dolphin
(d) Gharial

[Prelims 2015] With reference to ‘dugong’, a mammal found in India, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It is a herbivorous marine animal.
2. It is found along the entire coast of India.
3. It is given legal protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 3 only

Ramsar sites through map:

source

Sites in detail:

#1. Ashtamudi Wetland

• State: Kerala
• Designated on: 19 August 2002
• Area: 614 sq. Km
• (Note: same format followed in all wetlands below, i.e. State, Designated on, Area)

Details:

• A natural backwater in Kollam district
• River Kallada and Pallichal drain into it
• It forms an estuary with Sea at Neendakara which is a famous fishing harbour in Kerala
• National Waterway 3 passes through it
• Most tastiest backwater fish in Kerala, the Karimeen of kanjiracode Kayal is from Ashtamudi Lake

#2. Bhitarkanika Mangroves

• Orissa
• 19 August 2002
• 650 sq. Km

Details:

• In 1975, an area of 672 km2 was declared the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary
• The core area of the sanctuary, with an area of 145 km2, was declared Bhitarkanika National Park in September 1998
• Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary, which bounds the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary to the east, was created in September 1997, and encompasses Gahirmatha Beach and an adjacent portion of the Bay of Bengal
• Bhitarkanika Mangroves were designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in 2002
• It is also famous for its salt water crocodiles and Olive ridley sea turtle

#3. Bhoj Wetland

• Madhya Pradesh
• 19 August 2002
• 32 sq. Km

Details:

• The Bhoj Wetland consists of two lakes located in the city of Bhopal
• The two lakes are the Bhojtal and the Lower Lake, which lie to the west of the city center
• It is a manmade reservoir
• A total of more than 20,000 birds are observed annually
• The Upper Lake acts as the lifeline of the city supplying 40% of its potable water
• White storks, black-necked storks, bar-headed geese, spoonbills, etc., that have been rare sightings in the past, have started appearing
• A recent phenomenon is the gathering of 100-120 sarus cranes in the lake
• The largest bird of India, the sarus crane (Grus antigone) is known for its size, majestic flight and lifetime pairing

#4. Chandra Taal

• Himachal Pradesh
• 8 November 2005
• 0.49

#5. Chilika Lake

• Orissa
• 1 October 1981
• 1165

Details:

source

• Chilka Lake (Chilika Lake) is a brackish water lagoon, spread over the Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts of Odisha, at the mouth of the Daya River, flowing into the Bay of Bengal, covering an area of over 1,100 km2.
• It is the largest coastal lagoon in India and the second largest lagoon in the world
• The lagoon hosts over 160 species of birds in the peak migratory season
• Birds from as far as the Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, Aral Sea and other remote parts of Russia, Kirghiz steppes of Mongolia, Central and southeast Asia, Ladakh and Himalayas come here
• These birds travel great distances; migratory birds probably follow much longer routes than the straight lines, possibly up to 12,000 km, to reach Chilika Lake
• In 1981, Chilika Lake was designated the first Indian wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention
• In November 2002, the Ramsar Wetland Conservation Award was presented to the Chilika Development Authority for outstanding achievements in the field of restoration and wise use of wetlands and effective participation of local communities in these activities
• White bellied sea eagles, greylag geese, purple moorhen, jacana, flamingos, egrets, gray and purple herons, Indian roller, storks, white ibis, spoonbills, brahminy ducks, shovellers, pintails, and more
• Nalbana Island is the core area of the Ramsar designated wetlands of Chilika Lake
• Nalbana was notified in 1987 and declared a bird sanctuary in 1973 under the Wildlife Protection Act
• The Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) is the flagship species of Chilika lake
• Chilka is home to the only known population of Irrawaddy dolphins in India and one of only two lagoons in the world that are home to this species
• It is classified as critically endangered, in five of the six other places it is known to live

#6. Deepor Beel

• Assam
• 19 August 2002
• 40

#7. East Calcutta Wetlands

• West Bengal
• 19 August 2002
• 125

Details:

• World-renowned as a model of a multiple use wetland
• The site’s resource recovery systems, developed by local people through the ages, have saved the city of Calcutta from the costs of constructing and maintaining waste water treatment plants
• The wetland forms an urban facility for treating the city’s waste water and utilizing the treated water for pisciculture and agriculture, through the recovery of nutrients in an efficient manner- the water flows through fish ponds covering about 4,000 ha, and the ponds act as solar reactors and complete most of their bio-chemical reactions with the help of solar energy
• Thus the system is described as one of the rare examples of environmental protection and development management where a complex ecological process has been adopted by the local farmers for mastering the resource recovery activities
• The wetland provides about 150 tons of fresh vegetables daily, as well as some 10,500 tons of table fish per year, the latter providing livelihoods for about 50,000 people directly and as many again indirectly
• The fish ponds are mostly operated by worker cooperatives, in some cases in legal associations and in others in cooperative groups whose tenurial rights are under legal challenge
• A potential threat is seen in recent unauthorized use of the waste water outfall channels by industries which add metals to the canal sludge and threaten the edible quality of the fish and vegetables

#8. Harike Wetland

• Punjab
• 23 March 1990
• 41

Details:

• A shallow water reservoir with thirteen islands, at the confluence of two rivers
• Dense floating vegetation covers 70% of the lake
• An important site for breeding, wintering and staging birds, supporting over 200,000 Anatidae (ducks, geese, swans, etc.) during migration
• The entire lake is leased on an annual basis to commercial fishery organizations

#9. Hokera Wetland

• Jammu and Kashmir
• 8 November 2005
• 13.75

Details:

• Located in the northwest Himalayan biogeographic province of Kashmir, back of the snow-draped Pir Panchal, Hokera wetland is only 10 km from scenic paradise of Srinagar
• A natural perennial wetland contiguous to the Jhelum basin, it is the only site with remaining reedbeds of Kashmir and pathway of 68 waterfowl species like Large Egret, Great Crested Grebe, Little Cormorant, Common Shelduck, Tufted Duck and endangered White-eyed Pochard, coming from Siberia, China, Central Asia, and Northern Europe
• It is an important source of food, spawning ground and nursery for fishes, besides offering feeding and breeding ground to a variety of water birds
• Typical marshy vegetation complexes inhabit like Typha, Phragmites, Eleocharis, Trapa, and Nymphoides species ranging from shallow water to open water aquatic flora
• Sustainable exploitation of fish, fodder and fuel is significant, despite water withdrawals since 1999
• Potential threats include recent housing facilities, littered garbage, and demand for increasing tourist facilities

#10. Kanjli Wetland

• Punjab
• 22 January 2002
• 1.83

Details:

• A permanent stream, the Kali Bein, converted by construction of a small barrage in 1870 into a water storage area for irrigation purposes
• The site fulfils Criteria 3 because of its importance in supporting a considerable diversity of aquatic, mesophytic, and terrestrial flora and fauna in the biogeographical region
• Acts also as a key regulator of groundwater discharge and recharge with the seasons
• By this means and by direct abstraction of water for irrigation by the local population, the site plays a crucial role in the agriculture which predominates on the surrounding fertile plain, with fewer pressures upon water supplies than elsewhere in the Punjab
• The invasive water hyacinth is present and must be removed from time to time; increasing pollution levels, deforestation in the catchment area, and excessive grazing are seen as potential threats
• The stream is considered to be the most significant in the state from the religious point of view, as it is associated with the first guru of the Sikhs, Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji
• The stream itself and surrounding marsh is under provincial ownership and surrounding areas privately owned.
• The site is a center for environmental tourism and picnicking

#11. Keoladeo National Park

• Rajasthan
• 1 October 1981
• 28.73

Details:

• A complex of ten artificial, seasonal lagoons, varying in size, situated in a densely populated region
• Vegetation is a mosaic of scrub and open grassland that provides habitat for breeding, wintering and staging migratory birds
• Also supported are five species of ungulates, four species of cats, and two species of primates, as well as diverse plants, fish and reptiles
• The canal provides water for agriculture and domestic consumption
• Cattle and water buffalo graze on the site
• A field research station exists
• Placed on the Montreux Record in 1990 due to ‘water shortage and an unbalanced grazing regime’
• Additionally, the invasive growth of the grass Paspalum distichum has changed the ecological character of large areas of the site, reducing its suitability for certain waterbird species, notably the Siberian crane

#12. Kolleru Lake

• Andhra Pradesh
• 19 August 2002
• 901
• It is a bird sanctuary

#13. Loktak Lake

• Manipur
• 23 March 1990
• 266

source

Details:

• Loktak Lake is the largest freshwater lake in the north-eastern region of the country
• It is famous for the phumdis (heterogeneous mass of vegetation, soil, and organic matters at various stages of decomposition) floating over it
• Keibul Lamjao, the only floating national park in the world floats over it
• It is located near Moirang, Bishnupur district in Manipur
• The etymology of Loktak is Lok = stream and tak = the end
• The Keibugl Lamjao National Park, which is the last natural refuge of the endangered ‘Sangai’ or Manipur brow-antlered deer (‘Cervus eldi eldi’), one of three subspecies of Eld’s deer, covering an area of 40 km2 (15 sq mi), is situated in the southeastern shores of this lake and is the largest of all the phumdis in the lake
• This place is a global tourist destination
• ‘Sendra tourist hub’ (a small hillock) is located at Moirang, around 58 km from the heart of the city

#14. Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary

• Gujarat
• 24 September 2012
• 123

Details:

• A natural freshwater lake (a relict sea) that is the largest natural wetland in the Thar Desert Biogeographic Province
• Represents a dynamic environment with salinity and depth varying depending on rainfall
• The area is home to 210 species of birds, with an average 174,128 individuals recorded there during the winter and 50,000 in the summer
• It is an important stopover site within the Central Asia Flyway, with globally threatened species such as the critically endangered Sociable Lapwing (Vanellus gregarius) and the vulnerable Marbled Teal (Marmaronetta angustirostris) stopping over at the site during migration, while the vulnerable Sarus Crane (Grus antigone) takes refuge there during summer when other water bodies are dry
• The wetland is also a lifeline for a satellite population of the endangered Indian Wild Ass (Equus hemionus khur) which uses this area in the dry season
• Local communities heavily rely on the lake as it provides them with a source of drinking water and water for irrigation, as well as an important source of income from fishing for Catla fish (Catla Catla) and Rohu (Labeo rohita)
• An average of 75,000 tourists visit the wetland annually

#15. Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary

• Tamil Nadu
• 19 August 2002
• 385

Details:

• One of the last remnants of Dry Evergreen Forests
• Habitat: Dry Evergreen Forests, Mangrove & Wetlands
• Winter Migrants : Spoon Billed Sandpiper, Greater Flamingos
• Threats: Agricultural & Shrimp farm runoff =>High concentration of DDT & HCH in their tissue

#16. Pong Dam Lake

• Himachal Pradesh
• 19 August 2002
• 156.62

Details:

• A water storage reservoir created in 1975 on the Beas River in the low foothills of the Himalaya on the northern edge of the Indo-Gangetic plain
• The RIS notes that at a time when wetlands in northern India are getting reduced due to extensive drainage and reclamation, the avian habitats formed by the creation of the Pong Dam assume a great significance
• Given the site’s location on the trans-Himalayan flyway, more than 220 bird species have been identified, with 54 species of waterfowl
• Hydrological values include monsoon-season flood prevention, both in the surroundings and downstream due to water regulation, groundwater recharge, silt trapping and prevention of soil erosion; electricity is generated for this and neighboring states, and irrigation water is being channeled to fertile areas of the Punjab and Rajasthan deserts.
• Low-yield subsistence fishing existed prior to impoundment, but since, a lucrative fishery has grown up, with 27 fish species and a yield increasing markedly each year- some 1800 fishermen now have direct employment and 1000 families benefit indirectly
• A nature conservation education centre is found on the island of Ransar or Ramsar
• Recent management strategies have shifted away from law enforcement and use restrictions towards more participatory approaches and community awareness, and the site is well suited to ‘community-based ecotourism’

#17. Renuka Lake

• Himachal Pradesh
• 8 November 2005
• 0.2

Details:

• A natural wetland with freshwater springs and inland subterranean karst formations, fed by a small stream flowing from the lower Himalayan out to the Giri river
• The lake is home to at least 443 species of fauna and 19 species of ichthyofauna representative of lacustrine ecosystems like Puntius, Labeo, Rasbora, Channa
• Prominent vegetation ranges from dry deciduous like Shorea Robusta, Terminalia tomentosa, Dalbergia sissoo to hydrophytes
• There are 103 species of birds of which 66 are residents, e.g. Crimson-breasted barbet, Mayna, Bulbul, Pheasants, Egrets, Herons, Mallards and Lapwing
• Among ungulates Sambhar, Barking deer and Ghorals are also abundant in the area
• The lake has high religious significance and is named after the mother of Hindu sage Parshuram, and is thus visited by thousands of pilgrims and tourists
• Conservation measures so far include community awareness, and prevention of silt influx from eroded slopes and 50 ha. of massive plantation in the catchment
• The site is managed by the Shimla Forest Department, Himachal Pradesh

#18. Ropar Wetland

• Punjab
• 22 January 2002
• 13.65

Details:

• A manmade wetland of lake and river formed by the 1952 construction of a barrage for diversion of water from the Sutlej River for drinking and irrigation supplies
• The site is an important breeding place for the nationally protected Smooth Indian Otter, Hog Deer, Sambar, and several reptiles, and the endangered Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) is thought to be present
• Some 35 species of fish play an important role in the food chain, and about 150 species of local and migratory birds are supported
• Local fisheries are economically significant, and wheat, rice, sugar cane, and sorghum are cultivated in the surrounding area
• Deforested local hills leading to siltation, and increasing industrialization causing an inflow of pollutants, are potential threats, and invasive weeds are a further cause for concern
• Nature lovers, birdwatchers, swimmers and boaters visit the site in considerable numbers

#19. Rudrasagar Lake

• Tripura
• 8 November 2005
• 2.4

#20. Sambhar Lake

• Rajasthan
• 23 March 1990
• 240

Details:

• The Sambhar Salt Lake, India’s largest inland salt lake
• Sambhar has been designated as a Ramsar site (recognized wetland of international importance) because the wetland is a key wintering area for tens of thousands of flamingos and other birds that migrate from northern Asia
• The specialized algae and bacteria growing in the lake provide striking water colours and support the lake ecology that, in turn, sustains the migrating waterfowl
• There is other wildlife in the nearby forests, where Nilgai move freely along with deer and foxes

#21. Sasthamkotta Lake

• Kerala
• 19 August 2002
• 3.73

Details:

• It is the largest freshwater lake in Kerala, situated in Kollam district
• River Kallada had a unique replenishing system through a bar of paddy field which has now disappeared due to indiscriminate sand and clay mining
• The lake is now depleting due to destruction of replenishing mechanism

#22. Surinsar-Mansar Lakes

• Jammu and Kashmir
• 8 November 2005
• 3.5

#23. Tsomoriri

• Jammu and Kashmir
• 19 August 2002
• 120

Details:

• A freshwater to brackish lake lying at 4,595m above sea level, with wet meadows and borax-laden wetlands along the shores
• The site is said to represent the only breeding ground outside of China for one of the most endangered cranes, the Black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis), and the only breeding ground for Bar-headed geese in India
• The Great Tibetan Sheep or Argali (Ovis ammon hodgsoni) and Tibetan Wild Ass (Equus kiang) are endemic to the Tibetan plateau, of which the Changthang is the westernmost part
• The barley fields at Korzok have been described as the highest cultivated land in the world
• With no outflow, evaporation in the arid steppe conditions causes varying levels of salinity
• Ancient trade routes and now major trekking routes pass the site
• The 400-year-old Korzok monastery attracts many tourists, and the wetland is considered sacred by local Buddhist communities and the water is not used by them
• The local community dedicated Tsomoriri as a WWF Sacred Gift for the Living Planet in recognition of WWF-India’s project work there
• The rapidly growing attraction of the recently opened area to western tourists (currently 2500 per summer) as an ‘unspoilt destination’ with pristine high desert landscapes and lively cultural traditions brings great promise but also potential threats to the ecosystem

#24. Upper Ganga River (Brijghat to Narora Stretch)

• Uttar Pradesh
• 8 November 2005
• 265.9

Details:

• A shallow river stretch of the great Ganges with intermittent small stretches of deep-water pools and reservoirs upstream from barrages
• The river provides habitat for IUCN Red listed Ganges River Dolphin, Gharial, Crocodile, 6 species of turtles, otters, 82 species of fish and more than hundred species of birds
• Major plant species, some of which have high medicinal values, include Dalbergia sissoo, Saraca indica, Eucalyptus globulus, Ficus bengalensis, Dendrocalamus strictus, Tectona grandis, Azadirachta indica and aquatic Eichhorina
• This river stretch has high Hindu religious importance for thousands of pilgrims and is used for cremation and holy baths for spiritual purification
• Major threats are sewage discharge, agricultural runoff, and intensive fishing
• Conservation activities carried out are plantation to prevent bank erosion, training on organic farming, and lobbying to ban commercial fishing

#25. Vembanad-Kol Wetland

• Kerala
• 19 August 2002
• 1512.5

Details:

• Largest lake of Kerala, spanning across Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam districts
• Famous tourist locations like Alappuzha and Kumarakom, known for house boats falls here
• River mouths of Pamba-Achenkovil rivers in Vembanad forms one of the unique wetland topography of Kerala, the Kuttanad
• It is below sea level and is famous for exotic fish varieties and Paddy fields that are below sea level

#26. Wular Lake

• Jammu and Kashmir
• 23 March 1990
• 189

Details:

• The largest freshwater lake in India with extensive marshes of emergent and floating vegetation, particularly water chestnut, that provide an important source of revenue for the State Government and fodder for domestic livestock
• The lake supports an important fishing industry and is a valuable source of water for irrigation and domestic use
• The area is important for wintering, staging and breeding birds
• Human activities include rice cultivation and tree farming

Tasks for you:

1. Find out the details about wetlands which have no description and put them in comments

2. Discuss the importance & threats faced by major wetlands in India and measures needed to deal with these threats

Published with inputs from Swapnil

What is a wetland?

• In simple words: Wetlands are areas where water is the primary factor controlling the environment and the associated plant and animal life
• Where? They occur where the water table is at or near the surface of the land, or where the land is covered by water
• Most widespread definition: Lands transitional between terrestrial and aquatic eco-systems where the water table is usually at or near the surface or the land is covered by shallow water
• Ramsar Convention on Wetlands: Wetlands are areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water, the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres

Significance:

• Wetlands, natural and manmade, freshwater or brackish, provide numerous ecological services
• Earlier: Treated as transitional habitats or seral stages in succession from open water to land
• Now: Considered to be distinct ecosystems with specific ecological characteristics, functions and values

Here, this comic might help you understand their importance more clearly…

Health:

• The density of birds, in particular, is an accurate indication of the ecological health of a particular wetland
• However, unsustainable use of wetland without reckoning of their assimilative capacity constitutes major threat to their conservation and management

Ramsar Convention on Wetland

• The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands was signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971
• Ramsar is a city on the shores of Caspian sea
• It is an intergovernmental treaty which provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources
• There are presently 158 Contracting Parties to the Convention, with 1758 wetland sites, totaling 161 million hectares, designated for inclusion in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance
• Ramsar Convention is the only global environment treaty dealing with a particular ecosystem

Need:

• The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands was developed as a means to call international attention to the rate at which wetland habitats were disappearing
• This was in part due to a lack of understanding of their important functions, values, goods and services
• Governments that join the Convention are expressing their willingness to make a commitment to helping to reverse that history of wetland loss and degradation
• In addition, many wetlands are international systems lying across the boundaries of two or more countries, or are part of river basins that include more than one country
• The health of these and other wetlands is dependent upon the quality and quantity of the transboundary water supply from rivers, streams, lakes, or underground aquifers
• This requires framework for international discussion and cooperation toward mutual benefits

Major obligations under the Convention:

• Designate wetlands for inclusion in the List of Wetlands of International Importance
• Promote, as far as possible, the wise use of wetlands in their territory
• Promote international cooperation especially with regard to transboundary wetlands, shared water systems, and shared species
• Create wetland reserves

Montreux Record:

• It is a register of wetland sites on Ramsar List where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution or other human interference
• It is maintained as part of the Ramsar List
• It was determined that the Montreux Record should be employed to identify priority sites for positive national and international conservation attention
• Sites may be added to and removed from the Record only with the approval of the Contracting Parties in which they lie

World Wetland Day:

• It is celebrated each year on 2 February, marks the date of the adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971
• It was celebrated for the first time on February 2, 1997, on the 16th anniversary of the Ramsar Convention
• Each year since 1997, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and groups of citizens at all levels of the community have taken advantage of the opportunity to undertake actions aimed at raising public awareness of wetland values and benefits in general and the Ramsar Convention in particular

National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP)

• Government of India opertionalized NWCP in closed collaboration with concerned State Government during the year 1985-86
• Under the programme, 115 wetlands have been identified till now by the Ministry which requires urgent conservation and management initiatives

Aim: Conservation and wise use of wetlands in the country so as to prevent their further degradation

Objectives:

• To lay down policy guidelines for conservation and management of wetlands in the country
• To undertake intensive conservation measures in priority wetlands
• To monitor implementation of the programme
• To prepare an inventory of Indian wetlands

Funding pattern:

• Financial assistance under NWCP is provided for two components i.e.
• Management Action Plan (MAP) and Research Projects
• Under the Scheme, 100% assistance is provided for activities
• Conservation and management of wetlands is primarily vested with the State/UTs, who are in physical possession of the area

MAP:

• After identification of wetlands under the Scheme, the State/UTs are to submit long-term comprehensive Management Action Plans (MAPs) for a period of 3-5 years, preferably 5 years, coinciding with the Plan period
• The State Governments are advised to define objectives taking into consideration factors responsible for degradation of the wetland
• The MAP should also have short-term objectives to cater to immediate problems confronting wetlands and to go in for immediate rectification measures
• The comprehensive MAP should be based on integrated and multi-disciplinary approach
• These are scrutinized and approved by the Central Government with certain necessary changes
• After the approval of MAP, funds are released annually to the State/UTs as per Annual Plan of Operation (APOs) submitted to the Central Government

Research:

Under the Scheme, Ministry also sponsor multidisciplinary research projects by academic/ managerial/ research institutions on various aspects of wetland conservation to supplement execution of MAP in more realistic manner

Some questions for you:

1. What are the major threats wetlands around the world face? Evaluate the role of Ramsar convention in addressing the issue of threat to wetlands

2. Discuss the importance of conservation of wetlands, open space and flood plains for sustainable urban growth

Published with inputs from Swapnil