Lok Sabha Question No. 4366 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-19
Subject: National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Chandra Sekhar Sahu, Shrikant Eknath Shinde, Girish Bhalchandra Bapat, Shrirang Appa Barne, Vinayak Bhaurao Raut

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4366

TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.07.2019

## National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems

4366 .  SHRI CHANDRA SEKHAR SAHU: DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE: SHRI GIRISH BHALCHANDRA BAPAT: SHRI SRIRANGA APPA BARNE: SHRI VINAYAK RAUT:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has made changes in the 'National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems' (NPCA) to support States in integrated management of these ecosystems, and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the scheme is being implemented in all States including Odisha, and if so, the details and present status thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the  tenure  of  the  Central  Wetlands  Regulatory  Authority  (CWRA)  has expired, and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has notified all wetlands under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, if so, the details thereof, and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (e) whether all States have been asked to constitute State wetland authorities, and if so, the names of the States who have not constituted State Wetland Authorities so far; and
- (f) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

(a)  &  (b)  The  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  &  Climate  Change  (MoEF&CC)  is currently  implementing  a  centrally  sponsored  scheme  namely,  National  Plan  for Conservation  of  Aquatic  Eco-systems  (NPCA)  for  conservation  and  management  of wetlands  in  the  country  on  cost  sharing  basis  between  Central  Government  and respective  State  Governments/UTs.  Under  the  scheme,  States  /  UTs  are  required  to submit Integrated Management Plan for Wetlands under their jurisdiction.  Presently the projects are  funded  on 60:40 cost sharing pattern  between  Central  and  State Governments including Odisha (90:10 for North East Region (NER) and Hill States and for UT 100%).

(c) & (d) For more effective conservation and management of wetlands in the country, the Central Government in consultation with the States, Union Territories, Central line Ministries and other stakeholders, have notified the  Wetlands (Conservation & Management) Rules, 2017 vide notification dated 26.09.2017 superseding the Wetlands (Conservation  and  Management)  Rules,  2010.  As  per  the  provision  of  these  rules, National Wetlands Committee (NWC) under the chairmanship of Secretary (EFCC) has been  constituted  replacing  the  Central  Wetland  Regulatory  Authority  (CWRA)  for  a period  of  three  years  from  the  date  of  notification  of  the  Wetlands  Rules.  Under  the Wetland  Rules,  powers  have  been  delegated  to  the  State  Wetlands  Authorities  for identification and notification of the wetlands.

(e) & (f) Yes Sir. As per the provision of Rule 5(1) & (2) of the Wetlands (Conservation and  Management)  Rules  2017,  the  State/Union  Territories  Wetland  Authorities  have already been constituted. The States / UTs are required to nominate one expert each in field  of  wetland  ecology,  hydrology, fisheries, landscape planning and socio-economic and to constitute a technical committee to review brief documents, management plans and advise on any technical matter referred by the Wetland Authority; and a grievance committee  consisting  of  four  members  to  provide  a  mechanism  for  hearing  and forwarding the grievances raised by public to the Authority.

*****