Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Feb 2: A Wetland Research and Training Centre (WRTC) established by Chilika Development Authority (CDA) will soon be recognised as a Centre of Excellence by the ministry of environment, forest and climate change, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said here Monday.
Addressing a function to observe World Wetlands Day with the theme ‘Wetlands for our Future’, Patnaik said the centre was an excellent platform for wetland scientists and researchers to carry out research on the wetland ecosystem and for the capacity building of the wetland managers from the country and abroad.
The Chief Minister said Orissa is committed to conservation and sustainable management of the wetlands.
“Wetlands are indispensable for the host of ecosystem services that they provide to humanity. For effective management of the wetlands, good governance and policy support is essential. I am happy to mention that Orissa is the first state in the country to constitute ‘Orissa Wetland Development Authority’ for conservation and sustainable management of the wetlands of the state,” the CM said.
The government, he said, had set up OWDA for this purpose and was providing adequate funds for implementation of management plans.
Patnaik said other states in the country were emulating the model of Orissa for restoration and management of wetlands.
State forest secretary Upendra Behera said as per the recent assessment made by the Space Application Centre in Ahmedabad, wetlands were spread over 6,909 sq km in the state.
Behera said OWDA had taken steps to prioritise major wetlands for immediate action. The OWDA had prepared an Action Management Plan for priority wetlands including Chilika, Ansupa, Kanjia, Tampara and Daha in Ganjam district, Kuanria in Nayagarh, Kusumi in Jajpur and Santani in Bhadrak district.
He said the plan for Upper Kolab, Hirakud and Rengali are in the process of preparation.
The plan for Chilika, Ansupa, Kanjia, Tampara, Kusumu and Laxmisagar had already been submitted to the ministry of environment, forest and climate change for consideration under the national plan for conservation of Aquatic ecosystem (NPCA).
Chilika Development Authority CEO Ajit Patnaik said the state has more than 70,000 wetlands adding that the OWDA had planned to make a master plan for the conservation and sustainable management of 17 wetlands in phases.
In the first phase, Patnaik said the conservation of Rengali and Hirakud would be taken up. The state government would provide funds for the implementation of the plan. The management of the rest 15 wetlands would be taken up later in phases.
A photo exhibition on wetlands was also inaugurated by Patnaik at Soochana Bhawan. The exhibition featured a wide collection of photos of organisms found in wetlands in different parts of Orissa. The main emphasis was however on the renowned Chilika Lake and the endemic species of the lake.
Bikram Keshari Arukh, forest and environment minister who was present at the photo exhibition, said, “Wetlands play a pivotal role in the existence of human beings on earth. They help in maintaining an adequate ecological balance and maintaining the water cycle. The state government is working hard to conserve existing wetlands in the state. The youth should come forward to do their bit for this important part of the environment.”
Sanjay Kumar Das Burma, food supplies and consumer welfare minister said the government was keen on conserving the state’s wetlands. “Our state is rich in wetlands. The need of the hour is to take steps to make sure they are conserved and ecological cycle is maintained. Many wetlands in our state have attracted tourists from different places. I urge people from different walks of life to make sure they cooperate with the government in conserving it,” Das Burma said.
The photo exhibition attracted many visitors. The photo exhibition depicted several striking photos and posters which gave a detailed account of wetlands and ways to conserve them.
It also had pictures of birds and fish like northern pintail, white-bellied sea eagle, mud crabs and chilika fish.
