THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a major boost to wetland conservation efforts in Kerala, four ecologically significant wetlands -- Vellayani and Akkulam-Veli in Thiruvananthapuram, Kottooli in Kozhikode, and the Kattampally-Valapattanam-Kuppam wetland complex in Kannur -- have moved a step closer to securing the Ramsar site status.
The draft Ramsar Information Sheets (RIS) for these wetlands have been prepared by the State Wetland Authority Kerala (SWAK) and will be submitted to the Union ministry of environment, forests and climate change (MoEF&CC) soon. Once approved, these wetlands will be included in the prestigious Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance, which currently includes 75 sites from India -- the highest number among Asian countries.
Environment department director Suneel Pamidi told TNIE that getting the Ramsar site status will help the state make a more focused effort to conserve these sites.
“It’s an international recognition and the status will help get international funding for conservation efforts. SWAK will send the proposal to the Union government which will then submit it to the Ramsar Secretariat. These sites will get the status once the Ramsar Secretariat approves it,” Pamidi said.
He said the process is going to be lengthy. “We selected these sites which meet all the criteria designed by Ramsar. These are unique wetlands with rich diversity and important species of flora and fauna, birds and significant fish resources,” he said.
SWAK is expected to approve the proposal in the next meeting to be held in August. Currently, Kerala has three Ramsar Sites -- Ashtamudi, Sasthamkotta and Vembanad Kol. An official with SWAK said the action plans for these sites have already been set in motion and are being executed with the participation of the local community, NGOs, and multiple stakeholders including local bodies.
“The Ramsar Secretariat will review the proposals for the four new sites and may suggest corrections and revisions. We will have to incorporate all those,” the official said.
Once the Ramsar status is received, the state will get funds from the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA), an initiative aimed at conserving all types of aquatic ecosystems including wetlands, lakes, and rivers.
“Under the scheme, the Centre will give 60% aid for the project and the state has to chip in with the rest. There are also other internationally funded schemes for conservation,” the official added.
New sites in line
Vellayani in Thiruvananthapuram
Akkulam-Veli in Thiruvananthapuram
Kottooli in Kozhikode
Kattampally-Valapattanam-Kuppam wetland complex in Kannur