WETLAND CITY ACCREDITATION UNDER THE RAMSAR CONVENTION

The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has suggested that Indore, Bhopal, and Udaipur be recognized as Wetland Cities, under Wetland City Accreditation (WCA).

1. The wetlands linked to these cities are:

1. 1. Sirpur Wetland and Yashwant Sagar in Indore
   2. Bhoj Wetland in Bhopal
   3. Pichola, Fateh Sagar, Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar, and Doodh Talai in Udaipur

2. Once the accreditation happens by the WCA, it is valid for 6 years.
3. Getting this accreditation will make it easier to carry out the Amrit Dharohar Initiative all over the country. The goal of Amrit Dharohar is to highlight and support the special conservation qualities of the Ramsar Sites in the country.

Amrit Dharohar: Aims to achieve similar goals by promoting unique conservation values of Ramsar Sites.

What are Wetlands?
According to Ramsar Convention, Wetlands are places that can be natural or man-made, like marshes, swamps, or areas with water. They can be permanent or temporary, with still or moving water, and can be fresh, brackish, or salty. They also include places with shallow marine water up to six meters deep at low tide.

Significance of Wetlands:
1. Biodiversity support
2. Water Filtration

3. Flood Control
4. Carbon Storage
5. Recreation and Tourism