Brainstorming Session on Conservation & Management of Urban Lakes
26^th Sept 09
Conference Hall, Centre for Infrastructure, Sustainable Transport and Urban Planning [CiSTUP], Indian Institute of Science

Brainstorming session for evolving the strategies for the conservation and management of urban lakes was organized on 26th Sept 2009 at Centre for Infrastructure, Sustainable Transport and Urban Planning [CiSTUP], Indian Institute of Science. This Brainstorming session was organized jointly by The Energy and wetlands Research Group at Centre for Ecological Sciences, Centre for Sustainable Technologies and Centre for Infrastructure, Sustainable Transport and Urban Planning [CiSTUP], Indian Institute of Science.  Participants of the brainstorming session included Environmentalists (Dr. Yellappa Reddy, Harish Bhat, Shyamal, Dr. B K Chakrapani), Researchers (Dr. Ramachandra T.V.,  Dr. Sitharam T G, Dr. Mohan Kumar M S, Dr. Chanakya H N,  Dr. Gururaja K V, Mr. Karthick B, Ms. Supriya G, Ms. Alakananda, Dr. Nandini, Mr. Shivashaktivel, Durgesh R (Bangalore University), Harshavardhan (UVCE), Harish (SVCE), Ms. Ananya (CST, IISc)), members of the State level Environment Appraisal Committee (Dr. Raghavendra Rao, Chairman, SEAC, Dr. Ramachandra T.V., Member, SEAC), Government Officials (Dr. Ramakrishna N R (Joint Director, Department of Fisheries), Jagadish B R, Dr. Vikas J J (Asst Director, Department of Fisheries), Dr. Basappa (Director General, Environmental Management Policy Research Institute), Uzra Sultana (EMPRI), Dr. U V Singh (CCF, Lake Development Authority), J R Gopalakrishna Rao (Cauvery Niravari Nigam Limited), Dr. K S R Shankar Reddy (Bangalore Development Authority), Dr. Ramakantha (CCF, Karnataka Forest Department), Mr. Suresh (ACF, Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike)  Dr. Syed Aajiz Ahmed and Narahari S (Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board), Dr. Mohan Kumar M S and Shiva Kumar A R (Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology)),  School (Khan M A, Ali Rani (K K English School, Varthur)), College (Mr. Yathiraju, Kalidas Junior College; Dr. B K Chakrapani, BHS College of Science, Amit Yadav, Mumbai), Media personnel  (Mr. R Manjunath (Vijay Karnataka), Ms. Bosky Khanna (DNA), Mr. Amit Upadhye (Deccan Chronicle)), Non Governmental Organisation’s representatives (Paveena Sreedhar and Abby Brown (Argyam Foundation), Sanjay Vijayraghavan (Praja.in)) and 32 participants of workshop on urban lake monitoring (this workshop was conducted during 23-25th Sept 2009; participants list is provided in Annexure I).

The main objective of the Brain storming session was to evolve appropriate strategies for conservation and sustainable management of urban lakes. The August forum discussed the recommendations of Lake Symposiums (Lake 2008, Lake 2006, Lake 2004, Lake 2002, LimGIS 2001, Lake 2000, 1998 symposium) apart from discussing the draft notification of the Regulatory Framework for Wetlands Conservation of The Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India. As a part of the Brain storming session a panel discussion was held and the key recommendations are:

1. Carrying capacity studies for all macro cities : Unplanned concentrated urbanisation in many cities has telling impacts on local ecology and biodiversity, evident from decline of waterbodies, vegetation, enhanced pollution levels (land, water and air),  traffic bottlenecks, lack of appropriate infrastructure, etc. There is a need to adopt holistic approaches in regional planning considering all components (ecology, economic, social aspects).  In this regard, this forum recommends carrying capacity studies before implementing any major projects in rapidly urbanizing macro cities such as Greater Bangalore, etc.

2. Demarcation of the boundary of water bodies : The existing regulations pertaining to boundary demarcations within different states need to be reviewed according to updated norms and based on geomorphology and other scientific aspects pertaining to individual water bodies. Maximum Water Level mark should form the boundary line of the water body. In addition, a specified width, based on historical records/ survey records etc. may be considered for marking a buffer zone around the water body. In case such records are not available, the buffer zones may be marked afresh considering the flood plain level and also maximum water levels. The width of the buffer zone should be set considering the geomorphology of the water body, the original legal boundaries, etc. The buffer zone should be treated as inviolable in the long term interests of the water body and its biodiversity.
• The existing regulations pertaining to boundary demarcations within different states need to be reviewed according to updated norms and based on geomorphology and other scientific aspects pertaining to individual water bodies.
• Maximum Water Level mark should form the boundary line of the water body.
• In addition, a specified width, based on historical records/ survey records etc. may be considered for marking a buffer zone around the water body. In case such records are not available, the buffer zones may be marked afresh considering the flood plain level and also maximum water levels.
• The width of the buffer zone should be set considering the geomorphology of the water body, the original legal boundaries, etc.
• The buffer zone should be treated as inviolable in the long term interests of the water body and its biodiversity.
• Declare and maintain floodplains and valley zones of lakes as no activity regions
• Remove all encroachments – free flood plains, valley zones, storm water drains, etc. of encroachments of any kind.
• Ban conversion of lake, lake bed for any other purposes.
• Urban wetlands, mostly lakes to be regulated from any type of encroachments.
• Regulate the activity which interferes with the normal run-off and related ecological processes – in the buffer zone (200 m from lake boundary / flood plains is to be considered as buffer zone)

3. Mapping of water-bodies : The mapping of water bodies should also include smaller wetlands, particularly hill streams, Myristica swamps of the Western Ghats, springs etc. The neglect of these hydrological systems could cause considerable impoverishment of water flow in the river systems as well as turn out to be threats to rare kinds of biodiversity. As most of the streams originate in forest areas they come under the legal authority of the forest departments. At the same time the waters of many of these streams are being diverted for private uses. This causes diminished water flow especially in the non Himalayan Rivers during the summer months. A judicious water sharing mechanism has to be worked out at the local level taking into account also the broader national interest as well as conservation of dependent biodiversity. The mapping of these smaller water-bodies, along with their catchments needs to be conducted involving also the local Biodiversity Management Committees. The jurisdictional agreements on the water usage and watershed protection need to be arrived at on a case to case basis involving all the stakeholders.
• Spatial Extent of Water bodies
• Spatial extent of  its catchment (watershed/basin)
• Demarcate Flood plains
• Demarcate buffer zone – with a list of regulated activities
• Land cover in the catchment
• Ensure at least 33% of land cover is covered with natural vegetation (to ensure  the lake perennial)
• Identify the natural areas in the catchment
• Biodiversity inventory – capture entire food chain
• The jurisdictional agreements on the water usage and watershed protection need to be arrived at on a case to case basis involving all the stakeholders.
• Develop a comprehensive database (spatial with attribute information)
• Identify and demarcate the region around the lake where all activities are to be prohibited (Flood plain)
• The biodiversity of every water body should form part of the Biodiversity Registers (BR).
• The local Biodiversity Management Committees (BMC) should be given necessary financial support and scientific assistance in documentation of diversity.
• The presence of endemic, rare, endangered or threatened species and economically important ones should be highlighted.
• A locally implementable conservation plan has to be prepared for such species.

4. Holistic and Integrated Approaches – Conservation and Management : Integration of   the activities with the common jurisdiction boundaries of Government para-statal Agencies for effective implementation of activities related to management, restoration, sustainable utilization and conservation. This  necessitates:
• Common Jurisdictional boundary for all para-statal agencies
• To minimise the confusion of ownership – assign the ownership of all natural resources (lakes, forests, etc.) to a single agency – Lake Protection and Management Authority (or Karnataka Forest Department). This agency shall be responsible for protection, development and sustainable management of water bodies).
• Custodian  shall manage  natural resources  - let that agency have autonomous status with all regulatory powers to protect, develop and manage water bodies.
• All wetlands to be considered as common property resources and hence custodians should carefully deal with these ensuring security.
• Management and maintenance of lakes to be decentralised involving stakeholders, local bodies, institutions and community participation without any commercialization or commoditization of lakes.
• Integrated aquatic ecosystem management needs to be implemented to ensure sustainability, which requires proper study, sound understanding and effective management of water systems and their internal relations.
• The aquatic systems should be managed as part of the broader environment and in relation to socio-economic demands and potentials, acknowledging the political and cultural context.
• Wetlands lying within the protected area of National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries shall be regulated under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Wetlands lying within the notified forest areas shall be regulated by the Indian Forest Act, 1927 and the Forest Conservation Act, 1980; and the relevant provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The Wetlands outside protected or notified forest areas shall be regulated by the relevant provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• Immediate implementation of the regulatory framework for conservation of wetlands by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, GOI.
• Formulation and implementation of the National wetlands policy both at state and at national levels.
• Socio-economic studies & land use planning in & around the lakes can help in providing ecological basis for improving the quality of lakes.
• Prohibit activities such as conversion of wetlands for non-wetland purposes, dumping of solid wastes, direct discharge of untreated sewage, hunting of wild fauna, reclamation of wetlands.
• Maintain Catchment Integrity to ensure lakes are perennial and maintain at least 33% land cover should be under  natural Vegetation.
• Plant native species of vegetation in each lake catchment.
• Create new water bodies considering the topography of each locality.
• Establish laboratory facility to monitor physical, chemical and biological integrity of lakes.
• Maintain physical integrity - Free storm water drains of any encroachments. Establish interconnectivity among water bodies to minimise flooding  in certain pockets . The process of urbanization and neglect caused disruption of linkages between water bodies such as ancient lake systems of many cities. Wherever such disruptions have taken place alternative arrangements should be provided to establish the lost linkages.
• Encroachment of lake beds by unauthorized /authorized agencies must be immediately stopped. Evict all unauthorized occupation in the lake beds as well as valley zones.
• Any clearances of riparian vegetation (along side lakes) and buffer zone vegetation (around lakes) have to be prohibited
• Penalise polluters dumping solid waste in the lake bed.
• Implement polluter pays principle for polluters letting liquid waste in to the lake either directly or through storm water drains.
• Lake privatised recently to be taken over and handed over to locals immediately thus restoring the traditional access to these lakes by the stakeholders.
• Restore surviving lakes in urban areas strengthening their catchment area and allowing sloping shorelines for fulfilling their ecological function.
• Alteration of topography in lake / river catchments should be banned.
• Appropriate cropping pattern, water harvesting, urban development, water usage, and waste generation data shall be utilized and projected for design period for arriving at preventive, curative and maintenance of aquatic ecosystem restoration action plan (AERAP).
• Desilting of lakes for removal of toxic sediment, to control nuisance macrophytes; further silting in the catchment be checked by suitable afforestation of catchment areas and the provision of silt traps in the storm water drains.
• Maintaining the sediment regime under which the aquatic ecosystems evolve including maintenance, conservation of spatial and temporal connectivity within and between watersheds. 
• Conversion of land around the lakes particularly in the valley zones and storm water drains for any kind of development must be totally banned.
• Flora in the catchment area should be preserved & additional afforestation programmes undertaken.
• Check the overgrowth of aquatic weeds like Eichhornia, Azolla, Alternanthera etc. through manual operations.
• Aquatic plants greatly aid in retarding the eutrophication of aquatic bodies; they are the sinks for nutrients & thereby play a significant role in absorption & release of heavy metals. They also serve as food and nesting material for many wetland birds. Therefore, knowledge of the ecological role of aquatic species is necessary for lake preservation.
• Adopt biomanipulation (Silver carp and Catla– surface phytoplankton feeders,  Rohu – Column zooplankton feeder Gambusia and Guppies – larvivorous fishes for mosquito control),aeration, shoreline restoration (with the native vegetation) in the management of lakes.
• Environmental awareness programmes can greatly help in the protection of the water bodies.
• Government   Agencies, Academies, Institutions and NGO’s must co-ordinate grass-root level   implementation of policies and activities related to conservation of lakes and wetlands (both Inland and Coastal), their sustainable utilization, restoration and development including human health.  There is also a need for management and conservation of aquatic biota including their health aspects. Traditional knowledge and practices have to be explored as remedial measures. Cost-intensive restoration measures should be the last resort after evaluating all the cost-effective measures of conservation and management of the wetlands.
• A National Committee be constituted consisting of Experts, Representatives of Stakeholders (researchers, industrialists, agriculturists, fishermen, etc.) and Line Agencies, in addition to the existing Committee(s), if any, in order to evolve policies and strategies for reclamation, development, sustainable utilization and restoration of the wetlands and socio-economic development of the local people.
• At regional level, Lake Protection and Management Authority (LPMA) with autonomy, corpus funds from plan allocations of state and center and responsibility and accountability for avoiding excessive cost and time over runs. LPMA shall have stakeholders-representatives from central and state and local body authorities, NGO’s and eminent people and experts shall be constituted
• Generous funds shall be made available for such developmental works through the National Committee, as mentioned above.  Local stakeholders be suggested to generate modest funds for immediate developmental needs in the aquatic systems in their localities.
• Provisions be made for adoption of lakes and wetlands by the NGO’s and Self-help groups for their conservation, management, sustainable utilization and restoration.
• Aquatic ecosystem restoration works taken up by any agency, Govt. or NGO’s should have 10% of restoration costs (per annum) spent or set off for creating awareness , research and monitoring compulsorily in future.
• Public education and outreach should be components of aquatic ecosystem restoration. Lake associations and citizen monitoring groups have proved helpful in educating the general public. Effort should be made to ensure that such groups have accurate information about the causes of lake degradation and various restoration methods.

5. Documentation of biodiversity : The biodiversity of every water body should form part of the School, College, People’s Biodiversity Registers (SBR, CBR, PBR). The local Biodiversity Management Committees (BMC) should be given necessary financial support and scientific assistance in documentation of diversity. The presence of endemic, rare, endangered or threatened species and economically important ones should be highlighted. A locally implementable conservation plan has to be prepared for such species.
• All kinds of introduction of Exotic species and Quarantine measures be done in consultation with the concerned Authorities and the data bank
• There is an urgent need for creating a `Data Bank’ through inventorisation and mapping of the aquatic biota. 
• Identify water bodies of biodiversity importance and declare them as wetland conservation reserves (WCR)

6. Preparation of management plans for   individual water bodies : Most large water bodies have unique individual characteristics. Therefore it is necessary to prepare separate management plans for individual water bodies.
• Greater role and participation of women in management and sustainable utilisation of resources of aquatic ecosystems.
• Impact of pesticide or fertilisers on wetlands in the catchment areas to be checked.
• Regulate illegal sand and clay mining around the wetlands.

7. Implementation of sanitation facilities : It was noted with grave concern that the water bodies in most of India are badly polluted with sewage, coliform bacteria and various other pathogens. This involves:
• Preserving the purity of waters and safeguarding the biodiversity and productivity, dumping of waste has to be prohibited;
•  In addition to this, all the settlements alongside the water body should be provided with sanitation facilities so as not to impinge in anyway the pristine quality of water.

8. Management of polluted lakes :  This programme needs priority attention. This involves:
• Implementation of bioremediation method for detoxification of polluted water bodies.
• The highly and irremediably polluted water bodies may be fenced off to prevent fishing, cattle grazing and washing, bathing and collection of edible or medicinal plants to prevent health hazards.
• Warning boards should be displayed around such water bodies.
• Collection of any biomaterials from such water bodies should be prohibited.
• Based on the concept of polluter pays, a mechanism be evolved to set up efficient effluent treatment plants [ETP], individual or collective, to reduce the pollution load. Polluting industries be levied Environmental Cess, which can be utilised for conservation measures by the competent authorities. A `waste audit’ must be made compulsory for all the industries and other agencies.

9. Restoration of lakes : The goals for restoration of aquatic ecosystems need to be realistic and should be based on the concept of expected conditions for individual  eco-regions. Further development of project selection and evaluation technology based on  eco-region  definitions  and  description  should be  encouraged and supported by the national and state government agencies.
• Ecosystem approach in aquatic ecosystem restoration endeavour considering catchment land use plan as of pre-project status and optimal land use plan shall first be prepared for short term (10 years and 30 years) and long term periods keeping in view developmental pressure over time span.
• Research and development is needed in several areas of applied limnology, and this programme   should   take   an   experimental    approach    which    emphasizes manipulation of whole ecosystems.
• Appropriate technologies for point and non-point sources of pollution and in situ measures for lake restoration shall be compatible to local ethos and site condition as well as objectives of Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Action Plan (AERAP).
• Traditional knowledge and practices have to be explored as remedial measures. Cost-intensive restoration measures should be the last resort after evaluating all the cost-effective measures of conservation and management of ecosystems.
• Public needs to be better informed about the rational, goal and methods of ecosystem conservation and restoration. In addition, the need was realized for scientist and researchers with the broad training needed for aquatic ecosystem restoration, management and conservation.
• Improved techniques for littoral zone and aquatic microphytes  management need to be developed. Research  should  go  beyond the removal of  nuisance  microphytes to address  the  restoration of native  species that are essential for  waterfowl  and  fish habitat.  Basic  research  is  necessary  to   improve   the understanding  of  fundamental limnological  processes  in  littoral  zones  and the  interactions  between  littoral and pelagic  zones  of  lakes.
• Biomanipulation (foodweb  management) has  great  potential  for low-cost and long-term management of lakes, and  research in this  emerging field must be  stimulated.
• Innovative  and  low-cost  approaches  to  contaminant  clean up in  lakes  need to  be developed.
• The relations between loadings of  stress-causing  substances  and  responses of lakes need to be  understood  more  precisely.  Research  should  be undertaken to improve predictions of trophic state and nutrient loading relationships.
• Improved assessment programmes are needed to determine the severity and extent of damage in lakes and wetlands and a change in status over time.  Innovative basic research is required to improve the science of assessment and monitoring.  There is a great need for cost effective, reliable indicators of ecosystems function,  including those  that  would  reflect  long-term  change and response to stress.   Research on indicators  should  include  traditional  community   and  ecosystem   measurements, paleoecological trend  assessments and remote sensing.  Effective  assessment  and monitoring  programme  would  involve  network  of  local  schools,  colleges  and universities.
• Procedures such as food web manipulation, introduction of phytophagous,  insects and fish lining, and  reintroduction  of  native  species  show  promise  for  effective and  long-lasting results when used alone or in  combination  with other  restoration measures.  Further  research  and  development needs to be  undertaken  on  these aspects.
• Paleolimnological  approaches  should be used to infer the past  trophic  history of lakes  and  wetlands  and  to decide  whether  these  systems  should  be  restored. Paleolimnological  approaches could also be used to infer whether a lake has been restored  to  its  predisturbance  condition.

10. Valuation of goods and services : Goods and services provided by the individual water bodies and the respective species to be documented, evaluated through participatory approach and be made part of the Biodiversity Registers (PBR: People’s Biodiversity Registers, SBR: School Biodiversity Registers). If in any case the traditional fishing rights of the local fishermen are adversely affected by lake conservation or by declaring it as a bird sanctuary, etc they should be adequately compensated.
• Ecological values of lands and water within the catchment / watershed shall be internalised into economic analysis and not taken for granted. Pressure groups shall play as watchdogs in preventing industrial and toxic and persistent pollutants by agencies and polluters.

11. Regulation of boating : Operation of motorized boats should not be permitted within lakes of less than 50 ha. In larger lakes the number of such boats should be limited to restricted area and carrying capacity of the water body. In any case boating during the periods of breeding and congregations of birds should be banned.
12. Protection of riparian and buffer zone vegetation : Any clearances of riparian vegetation (along side rivers) and buffer zone vegetation (around lakes) have to be prohibited.
13. Restoration of linkages between water bodies : The process of urbanization and neglect caused disruption of linkages between water bodies such as ancient lake systems of many cities. Wherever such disruptions have taken place alternative arrangements should be provided to establish the lost linkages.
14. Rainwater harvesting : Intensive and comprehensive implementation of rain water harvesting techniques can reduce taxation of water bodies and also minimize electricity requirements. The country needs in principle a holistic rainwater harvesting policy aimed at directing water literally from “roof-tops to lakes” after catering to the domestic needs.
15. Protection of sacred grove-water body system : National water policy shall recognize the ecological, environmental, economic and socio-cultural values of the aquatic systems. Sacred groves have been integral part of traditional watershed protection systems. Ponds, lakes, springs, streams and rivers associated with the sacred groves were integral to the landscape management systems of traditional societies of especially Indian highlands. Most of these groves lost their significance due to merger of them with the state reserved forests or due to cultural changes. There still exist thousands of sacred groves along the Indian countryside. If these groves are recognized, ecologically restored and brought under appropriate management mechanisms in collaboration with local communities, a fresh revival can happen of the water bodies associated with them.
16. Environment Education : It was felt among the participants that public needs to be better informed about the rational, goal and methods of ecosystem conservation and restoration. In addition, the need was realized for scientist and researchers with the broad training needed for aquatic ecosystem restoration, management and conservation. Public education and outreach should include all components of ecosystem restoration. Lake associations and citizen monitoring groups have proved helpful in educating the general public. Effort should be made to ensure that such groups have accurate information about the causes of lake degradation and various restoration methods. Funding is needed for both undergraduate and graduate programmes in ecosystem conservation and restorations. Training programmes should cross traditional disciplinary boundaries such as those between basic and applied ecology: water quality management and fisheries or wildlife management: among lakes, streams, rivers, coastal and wetland ecology. In this regard the brainstorming session proposes:
• Environmental education program should be more proactive, field oriented and experiential (with real time examples) for effective learning.
• Environmental education should be made mandatory at all levels – schools, colleges, universities, professional courses,  teachers and teacher educators at the teachers’ training institutes (Tch, B Ed, D Ed)
17. Adopt Inter-disciplinary Approach :  Aquatic ecosystem conservation and management requires collaborated research involving natural, social, and inter-disciplinary study aimed at understanding various components, such as monitoring of water quality, socio-economic dependency, biodiversity and other activities, as an indispensable tool for formulating long term conservation strategies. This requires multidisciplinary-trained professionals who can spread the understanding of ecosystem’s importance at local schools, colleges, and research institutions by initiating educational programmes aimed at rising the levels of public awareness of aquatic ecosystems’ restoration, goals and methods. Actively participating schools and colleges in the vicinity of the water bodies may value the opportunity to provide hands-on environmental education, which could entail setting up of laboratory facilities at the site. Regular monitoring of water bodies (with permanent laboratory facilities) would provide vital inputs for conservation and management.
• Funding is needed for both undergraduate and graduate programmes in aquatic ecosystem conservation and restorations. Training programmes should cross traditional disciplinary boundaries such as those between basic and applied ecology: water quality management and fisheries or wildlife management: among lakes, streams, rivers, coastal and wetland ecology.  
• Aquatic sanctuaries be created and tanks of religious places be declared as heritage centers for in situ conservation.

Wetland Protection Laws and Government Initiatives

The primary responsibility for the management of these ecosystems is in the hands of the Ministry of Environment and Forests. Although some wetlands are protected after the formulation of the Wildlife Protection Act, the others are in grave danger of extinction. Effective coordination between the different ministries, energy, industry, fisheries revenue, agriculture, transport and water resources, is essential for the protection of these ecosystems. Thus, wetlands were not delineated under any specific administrative jurisdiction. Recently the Ministry of Environment and Forests of the Government of India issued draft Notification 2008 Regulatory Framework for Wetlands Conservation (Wetland Conservation Rules). Wetlands in India are indirectly protected by an array of laws given below:

• The Indian Fisheries Act - 1857
• The Indian Forest Act - 1927
• Wildlife (Protection) Act - 1972
• Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act - 1974
• Territorial Water, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and other Marine Zones Act - 1976
• Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act - 1977
• Maritime Zone of India (Regulation and fishing by foreign vessels) Act - 1980
• Forest (Conservation act) - 1980
• Environmental (Protection) Act - 1986
• Coastal Zone Regulation Notification - 1991
• Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act - 1991
• National Conservation Strategy and Policy Statement on Environment and Development – 1992.
• Draft Notification 2008 Regulatory Framework for Wetlands Conservation (Wetland Conservation Rules)

In addition to the above laws, India is a signatory to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands and the Convention of Biological Diversity. According to these formulations India is expected to conserve the ecological character of these ecosystems along with the biodiversity of the flora and fauna associated with these ecosystems. Despite these, there is no significant development towards sustaining these ecosystems due to the lack of awareness of the values of these ecosystems among the policymakers and implementation agencies. The effective management of these wetlands requires a thorough appraisal of the existing laws, institutions and practices. The involvement of various people from different sectors is essential in the sustainable management of these wetlands.

Apart from government regulation, development of better monitoring methods is needed to increase the knowledge of the physical and biological characteristics of each wetland resources, and to gain, from this knowledge, a better understanding of wetland dynamics and their controlling processes. Discussions based on accurate knowledge and increased awareness of wetland issues can then begin to develop management strategies (to protect, restore and/or mitigate) that account for the function and value of all wetland resources in the face of natural and socioeconomic factors, while continuing to satisfy critical resource needs of the human population.

The Legal framework for the conservation and management of Wetland Ecosystems is provided by the following National and International Legal instruments:

The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 : This act provides for the protection of wild animals, birds and plants. For the purpose of this act, the state government constitutes the Wildlife Advisory board, which performs the following functions: It advices the state government:

• In the selection of areas to be declared as Sanctuaries, National Parks and Closed Areas.
• In the formulation of policy of protection and conservation of wildlife and specified plants.
• In relation to the measures to be taken for harmonizing the needs of the tribals and forest dwellers with the protection and conservation of wildlife.

This Act imposes prohibition on hunting of wild animals, their young ones as well as their eggs except with prior permission of the Chief Wildlife Warden. This acts prohibits the picking, uprooting, destroying, damaging, possessing of any plant in a protected area, except with prior permission of the Chief Wildlife Warden. The State government may declare any area; which it considers to have adequate ecological, faunal, geomorphological, natural or zoological significance for the purpose of protecting, propagating or developing wildlife or its environment; to be included in a sanctuary or a National Park. No person shall, destroy, exploit or remove any wildlife from a National Park and Sanctuary or destroy or damage the habitat or deprive any wild animal or plant its habitat within such National Park and Sanctuary. The State government may also declare any area closed to hunting for a designated period of time if it feels the ecosystem of that area is disturbed by hunting.

Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 : It is an Act to provide for the prevention and control of water pollution and the maintaining or restoring of wholesomeness of water. To carry out the purposes of this act, the Central and the State government constitutes the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) respectively. The main functions of the pollution control boards include:

• Advice the government on any matter concerning the prevention and control of water pollution.
• Encourage, conduct and participate in investigations and research relating to problems of water pollution and prevention, control or abatement of water pollution.
• Lay down or modify standards on various parameters for the release of effluents into streams.
• Collect and examine effluent samples as well as examine the various treatment procedures undertaken by the industries releasing the effluent.
• Examine the quality of streams.
• Notify certain industries to either stop, restrict or modify their procedures if it feels that the present procedure is deteriorating the water quality of streams.
• Establish or recognize laboratories to perform its functions including the analysis of stream water quality and trade effluents.

Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 :  Without the permission of the Central government, no State government or any other authority can :

• Declare that any reserved forest shall cease to be reserved.
• Issue permit for use of forest land for non-forest purpose.
• Assign any forest land or portion thereof by way of lease or otherwise to any private person, authority, corporation, agency or any other organization, not owned, managed or controlled by government.
• Clear off natural trees from a forest land for the purpose of reafforestation.

The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 : India is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on Biological Resources, 1992 and in accordance with that convention, brought into force The Biological Diversity Act, 2002. This act prohibits biodiversity related activities as well as transfer of the results of research pertaining to biodiversity to certain persons. It also necessitates the approval of National Biodiversity Authority before applying for Intellectual Property Rights on products pertaining to biological diversity. This act emphasizes the establishment of National Biodiversity Authority to carry out various functions pertaining to the Act, viz guidelines for approving collection, research and patents pertaining to biological diversity. It also notifies the central government on threatened species. The central government to develop plans, programmes and strategies for the conservation, management and sustainable use of the biodiversity. Where the Central Government has reason to believe that any area rich in biological diversity, biological resources and their habitats is being threatened by overuse, abuse or neglect, it shall issue directives to the concerned State Government to take immediate ameliorative measures.
Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as Waterfowl habitats, (Ramsar) 1971 : To stem the progressive destruction of the wetlands, Ramsar convention was signed.  Waterfowls are birds ecologically dependent on the wetlands. The various points agreed under Ramsar convention includes:

• Each contracting party should nominate at least one wetland having significant value in terms of ecology, botany, zoology, limnology or hydrology to be included in the List of Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar sites) and precisely describe its boundaries.
• The contracting parties will have right to add further wetland sites to the list, expand the boundaries of the existing sites and also to delete or minimize the boundaries of the existing sites.
• Each contracting party shall strive for the conservation, management and restoration of the wetlands in the list.
• Establishment of nature reserves in the area of wetlands thereby protecting it as well as the biological diversity it supports.
• Restriction of boundaries or deletion of a wetland listed as Ramsar sites, should be immediately compensated by the creation of additional nature reserves for the protection of waterfowls and other species habiting that wetland.

International convention for the protection of Birds, 1950 : To abate the ever dwindling number of certain bird species (particularly the migratory ones) as well as the other birds, this convention was made. This is an amendment to the “International Convention for the Protection of Birds useful to Agriculture, 1902”.  The objectives of this convention include:

• Protection to all birds, their young ones and their eggs especially in their breeding season.
• Prohibit hunting, killing, mass capture or captivating birds, except those causing intense damage to crops or other components of the ecosystem, such so that the above said components is in the danger of extinction.
• Adopt measures to prohibit industries and other processes causing contamination of air and water that has adverse effects on the survival of birds.
• Adopt measures to prohibit the destruction of suitable breeding grounds and the bird habitat and also encourage the creation of suitable land and water habitat for the birds.

Bonn Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species, 1979 : According to the Bonn Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species, the participating parties :

• Should promote, co-operate in and support research relating to migratory species.
• Shall endeavour to provide immediate protection for migratory species which are endangered.
• Shall strive to conserve and restore those habitats of the endangered species in an effort to eliminate the chances of extinction of that species.
• Shall prohibit or minimize those activities or obstacles that seriously impede or prevent the migration of the species.

Convention on Biological Diversity, 1992 : The main objectives of this convention are the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources. In accordance with this convention, each contracting party shall –

• Identify places supporting immense biological diversity.
• Monitor through sampling or other means the components of biological diversity identified and strive for the conservation of those components requiring urgent attention.
• Develop new or adapt existing strategies, plans and programmes for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity.
• Identify activities which have or may have significant adverse impact on the sustainability of the biodiversity in an area.
• It prescribes conservation of biological diversity by either In situ conservation mechanisms or Ex situ conservation mechanisms or both.

In situ conservation : Each contracting parties shall declare a region harbouring immense biological diversity as a protected area and develop various plans and strategies for the establishment, conservation and management of these protected areas and also strive to conserve biodiversity beyond these protected areas.

• Promote environmentally sound and sustainable development in the areas adjacent to the protected areas so as to further enhance the development and protection of these protected areas.
• Promote the protection of ecosystems, prevent the introduction of alien species likely to have an adverse effect on the existing ecosystem and also rehabilitate & restore degraded ecosystems.
• Enforce legislative measures for the protection of threatened species and population.

Ex situ conservation : Each contracting party shall establish facilities for ex situ conservation and for research on plants, animals and micro-organisms, especially the threatened species, augment their number and take steps for their reintroduction in their own natural habitat.

Relative merits and scope of the respective Indian laws with respect to the wetlands protection and conservation is given in Table 1.

Table 1: Sections applicable to Wetlands in the various environmental laws

Table 2 lists Indian Laws applicable to Conservation of Wetlands (with web link to the source documents). All these web sites were accessed on 4th Oct 2009. Annexure II lists all documents listed in table 2.

Table 2: Indian laws applicable to the conservation of Wetlands with web URL’s