News

The ‘Parliamentary Committee for Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection’ of the Government of Germany (Umweltausschuss) travelled to India for a delegation visit from 26th Oct – 5th Nov 2022. As part of their visit, the delegation, and the Consul General of Germany (Kolkata), visited Bhitarkanika Ramsar Site in Odisha on 04 Oct 2023. It is a selected site under the IKI-BMUV funded project ‘Wetlands Management for Biodiversity and Climate Protection’, which is being implemented with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

The delegation interacted with the staff from Mangrove Forest Division, Rajnagar, about conservation of Saltwater Crocodiles of the region, breeding programme and survey work carried by the Forest Department, and importance of the diverse mangroves of Bhitarkanika.. The delegation also visited the crocodile hatchery, the museum, the memorial for martyred forest personnel and the Mangrove nursery located in the Dangmal Range Office. This was followed by a boat ride through the mangroves during which the delegation was briefed about the the vegetation and wildlife of the region.

The delegation then visited Junusnagar where they interacted with the community members and beneficiaries of Green Recover Measures implemented by the project. Green Recovery Measures – a COVID response measure was implemented along with APOWA to enhance community resilience through ecosystem-based actions and skill building. The interaction led to the delegation being welcomed to see some of the pilot farms in the host village.

Link to further materials

Contact person
Ravindra Singh — Programmer Director, Indo-German Biodiversity Programme
Wetlands Management for Biodiversity and Climate Protection Project

Key buzzwords
Bhitarkanika Ramsar Site, German Parliamentarian Committee Visit, Mangroves, Ecosystem Services, Green Recovery Measures