Chennai, Feb 04 : Tamil Nadu is preparing to notify 100 wetlands under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, marking a significant step towards conserving the state’s critical ecosystems. With Anna University documenting 65 wetlands and adding to the 141 already catalogued, more than 200 wetlands are now ready for notification.
Despite the progress, the process faces resistance from various government departments, citing concerns over potential livelihood impacts on local communities. As a result, none of the wetlands have been formally notified. Authorities are working to allay fears and emphasize that conservation efforts will not adversely affect livelihoods.
On World Wetlands Day, Chief Minister MK Stalin reaffirmed the state’s commitment to wetland protection, acknowledging the challenges involved. “The process of wetland conservation is complex and requires a long-term approach,” Stalin said.
Developing Integrated Management Plans (IMPs) is central to Tamil Nadu’s wetland conservation strategy. These plans, which require six to seven months to complete, involve multiple stakeholders, including the water resources department, rural development bodies, and local authorities under the supervision of district collectors. IMPs focus on maintaining water inflow and outflow, conserving biodiversity, and sustaining local livelihoods.
So far, 14 IMPs have been completed, with 13 prepared by the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History and one by German development agency GIZ. A work order has also been issued to the Bengaluru-based Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment to prepare IMPs for three Ramsar sites.
A recent Supreme Court ruling has mandated the protection of approximately 30,000 additional wetlands across India, supplementing the 2,01,503 already protected under a 2017 order. States and union territories have been directed to complete demarcation and ground verification within three months.
According to the Union Environment Ministry, satellite-based observation by the Space Applications Centre has identified 2,31,195 wetlands across India. However, only 92 wetlands have been officially notified under the 2017 rules.
Tamil Nadu, home to 20 Ramsar sites, considers these wetlands “notified,” meaning prohibited activities cannot take place. However, the formal notification process for additional wetlands continues to face bureaucratic hurdles.
To advance restoration efforts, Tamil Nadu plans to submit its IMPs to the Union Environment Ministry under the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA). The funding structure for these projects includes 60% from the central government and 40% from the state.
“Tamil Nadu aims to be the first state to secure a significant portion of these funds,” said Deepak Srivastava, member secretary of the Tamil Nadu State Wetland Authority. He added that the State Wetlands Authority, chaired by the forest minister, is set to convene by the end of the month to approve IMPs for funding consideration.
Authorities are working to convince stakeholders that wetland conservation will not harm livelihoods. “We are focused on reassuring departments and communities that these efforts will be beneficial for both the environment and the people,” officials said.
As Tamil Nadu moves forward with its wetland conservation plans, the state faces the dual challenge of balancing ecological preservation with socio-economic concerns.
