Organizing three to four week training course on "Integrated watershed management with emphasis on restoration of lakes and wetlands in the year 2001. Training modules include aspects of

Limnology of lakes, reservoirs and wetlands.

Coastal wetlands.

Watershed hydrology/Urban hydrology.

Ground water and hydrogeology.

Monitoring and modeling.

Restoration methodologies and conservation strategies.

Remediation measures.

Integrated management of water quality and quantity with ecosystem protection.

Land use, urban planning, Geographic Information System, Remote sensing.

Sustainable water resources management and water resources policy.

Organizing an International Symposium in November/December 2002 to prioritise research needs for the restoration conservation and management of wetlands.

RECOMMENDATION-16: The Central and State Governments should support research and development, watershed-scale restorations that integrate lake, stream and wetland components. State agencies, Non-Governmental organizations and university researchers should participate in planning, implementing and evaluating restoration projects. In addition, an inter-agency programme under Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology (KSCST) could be formed to co-ordinate the selection, planning and evaluation of these pilot-projects. The research and implementation of the projects could be managed by the participating agencies.

RECOMMENDATION-17: Goals for restoration of lakes be realistic and 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 central and state government agencies.

Research and development are needed in several areas of applied limnology, and such programmes should take an experimental approach, which emphasise manipulation of whole ecosystems.

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 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 conditions. 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 need 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 also could be used to infer whether a lake has been restored to its pre disturbed condition.

Wetland Policy Guidelines: The objective of policy with respect to wetland conservation is: "TO PROMOTE THE CONSERVATION OF WETLANDS TO SUSTAIN THEIR ECOLOGICAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMICAL FUNCTIONS, NOW AND IN THE FUTURE". Towards this end, the goals are,

Maintenance of the functions and values derived from wetlands;

No net loss of wetland functions on regional lands and water;

Enhancement and rehabilitation of wetlands where the continued loss or degradation of wetlands or their functions have reached critical levels;

Recognition of wetland functions in resource planning, management and economic decision making with regard to all national/state programmes, policies and activities;

Securing wetlands of significance;

Recognition of sound, sustainable management practices in sectors such as forestry and agriculture that make a positive contribution to wetland conservation while also achieving wise use of wetland resources;

Utilisation of wetlands in a manner that enhances prospects;

The proposed strategies in this regard are:

Developing public awareness.

Managing wetlands on State lands and water, and in other State programmes.

Promote the wetland conservation in State protected areas.

Enhancing co-operation among State, District, Regional and Non Government partners.

Conserving wetlands of significance.

Ensuring a sound scientific basis for policy.

The wetland policy at State level provides:

A signal of commitment to wetland conservation and adds as a catalyst for mutually supporting action across the region;

A heightened profile for the issue to call attention to wetland, socio-economic and environmental benefits, to ensure that wetlands receive adequate consideration by the State government;

Direction and support for individual decision makers to ensure that opportunity for the sustained wise use of wetlands is realised, to avoid or reserve wetland related conflicts;

Clarification of specific State responsibility for wetlands, as well as a synthesis of existing legislation, policies and programmes which already contribute to wetland conservation;

A consistent, co-ordinated approach among the many State agencies, which influence wetlands, aimed at adjusting activities which conflict with wetland conservation and ensuring progress towards specific objectives and goals.

A comprehensive policy on wetlands needs to be formulated to enhance the quality and increase spatial coverage specific to the region, to offer some of the most environmentally productive and cost effective opportunities for wetland conservation. The objectives should focus on addressing the following aspects,

To reverse the current decline in the wetland base, ensuring 'no net loss' and long term net gain in the quality, quantity and permanence of wetlands.

To encourage partnerships in restoration, management, usage, through co-operative planning efforts with the primary focus on wetland conservation.

Draft procedures for administration of wetland usage and its conservation.

The emphasis is placed on the formation of Regional Wetlands Forum, involving local educational, public and private organizations (involved in wetland issue). For effective functioning, the forum should consist researchers, school and college-students and teachers, economists, policy makers, representatives from agricultural community, developmental concerns, conservation organizations, state and local agencies under the collaboration of the Ministry of Forest and Environment, Ministry of Science and Technology, Indian Council for Agricultural Research and planning departments with the following responsibilities. The policy should address the following: