HPSWA Approves Integrated Management Plans for Pong Dam, Renuka and Chandertal Wetlands and Releases Notification for District Level Wetlands Committees in Himachal Pradesh
The Himachal Pradesh State Wetland Authority (HPSWA) convened its inaugural session, chaired by the Chief Secretary of the Government of Himachal Pradesh, on August 10, 2023. Key agenda items included the endorsement of Integrated Management Plans (IMPs) for three Ramsar Sites in the state: Pong Dam Lake, Renuka, and Chandertal wetlands.
The IMPs for Pong and Renuka, supported by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and the IKI-BMUV project, were developed with extensive contributions from wetland assessments and stakeholder consultations. Discussions during the meeting focused on specific interventions for each wetland, such as sanitation and waste management for Renuka Lake, sustainable fishing and ecotourism for Pong Dam, and addressing tourist influx and climate change concerns for Chandertal.
The HPSWA also approved the establishment of District Level Wetland Committees (DLWCs) for effective monitoring and management at the district level. A notification for the creation of DLWCs was issued on October 31, 2023. These committees, headed by the Deputy Commissioner and comprising government officials and wetland experts, aim to enhance local-level conservation efforts and ensure the sustainability of wetland ecosystems in Himachal Pradesh.
Date
October 20, 2023
Location
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
Contact Person
Kirtiman Awasthi
