Udaipur Set To Become India’s First Wetland City

The Rajasthan government is joining hands with the Environmental and Forest Department to make Udaipur, the 'City of Lakes', India's first wetland city and an international site of significance under the Ramsar Convention. The Ramsar Convention is a global treaty that recognizes and ensures the protection of internationally significant wetlands. Areas meeting specific ecological criteria such as supporting endangered species or ecological communities, or containing a unique example of a natural or near-natural wetland, gain Ramsar status. With five major lakes and encompassing 37 square kilometers, Udaipur fulfills these criteria. Additionally, Udaipur has been included in the National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP), an initiative by India's central government focusing on the rehabilitation and conservation of significant lakes and wetlands. An interdepartmental workshop is planned to finalize the nomination draft for the Ramsar recognition. Notably, only a few cities globally have achieved the status, with Udaipur competing with Bhopal for this honor in India. Ramsar Convention recognized 25 cities in 2022, and currently, there are 42 wetland cities across 17 countries world wide.

IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER

  1. Udaipur, known as the 'City of Lakes', may become India's first wetland city.
  2. It is being nominated as a site of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
  3. The Ramsar Convention is a global treaty that recognizes and protects significant wetlands.
  4. To gain Ramsar status, a wetland has to meet certain ecological criteria.
  5. Udaipur's five major lakes can meet these criteria.
  6. The city is also part of India's National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP).
  7. An interdepartmental workshop aims to finalize the nomination draft.
  8. Udaipur’s competition for this prestigious status is fierce, as Bhopal is also vying for the same recognition.
  9. The Ramsar Convention has several wetland cities worldwide, with China having the highest number.