12 TH WORLD LAKE CONFERENCE

Transcription

1 12 TH WORLD LAKE CONFERENCE 28 th October-2 nd November, 2007 Status of Lake Conservation & Management of lakes in India 31 st October, 2007

2 DISTRIBUTION OF LAKES India has relatively very few Natural Lakes Most of these are in the Himalayan region or the floodplains of Rivers Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra Most of the Himalayan lakes are at altitudes >3000 m and some of the world s highest lakes are in India (Ladakh) (about 5000 m altitude) Man made lakes: Reservoirs & tanks (numbering tens of thousands) very important in Indian context) Europe has the largest number of Natural Lakes (> 10,000 in Sweden); Largest lakes are in North America, Africa and Russia Deepest lake is Baikal (Russia) One of the oldest lake is Tanganyika lake (central Africa). Lake Tsomoriri, Laddaak

3 Ecological Significance of Lakes & Wetlands Life support systems. Effective in flood control, waste water treatment, recharging of aquifers etc. Serve as habitat for fish and other flora & fauna. Winter resorts for migrating birds. Meet the socio-cultural cultural needs. Provide recreational benefits.

4 MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS FOR LAKES & WETLANDS Encroachment/land use changes/urbanisation Solid waste dumping/waste water disposal Shoreline erosion and uncontrolled siltation impacting the lake hydrology Improper management of storm water combined with over abstraction Deterioration in water quality & impact on biodiversity. Accelerated eutrophication due to nutrient rich run off and uncontrolled weed growth. Over exploitation of lake for activitieslike recreational, fishing etc.

5 MINISTRY S S PROGRAMMES FOR CONSERVATION OF LAKES & WETLANDS National Lake Conservation Plan (w.e.f.. June, 2001) National Wetland Conservation Programme (w.e.f )

6 OBJECTIVE & SCOPE OF NLCP Restoration and conservation of polluted and degraded urban & semi-urban lakes of the country. Scope of work includes in- situ treatment for the lakes together with measures like interception, diversion and treatment of sewage discharged into the lake and lake front development (beautification) activities.

7 ADMISSIBLE COMPONENTS FOR ASSISTANCE UNDER NLCP Prevention of pollution from point sources through Interception, diversion and treatment of pollution loads entering the lake. In-situ lake conservation measures such as de- weeding, de-silting, biological treatment (bioremediation, bio-manipulation, hypolimnetic withdrawal, constructed wetlands etc.) to the lake water body. Catchments area treatment and lake front eco- development including bunding, fencing, shoreline development, afforestation, check dams, low cost sanitation / toilet blocks, peoples interface (parks, boating facility, nature interpretation centers etc). Public participation and awareness campaigns. Other location specific activities depending upon site specific conditions.

8 NLCP AT A GLANCE ( till date) Lakes approved : 49 States covered : 13 Sanctioned Cost : Rs crore Funding pattern : 100% upto Jan, 02 70:30 from Feb, 02 Outlay in IX Plan : Rs. 25 crore Expenditure in IX Plan : Rs crore Outlay in X Plan : Rs. 220 crore Expenditure in X Plan : Rs crore Works Completed : 10 Lakes

9 PLAN-WISE FINANCIAL PROGRESS UNDER NLCP Rs. in crore Outlay Expenditure X Plan Highlights 40 New Lakes approved at a cost of Rs.527 cr. Funds Released Rs cr. Restoration works completed in 10 lakes IX PLAN X PLAN

10 FINANCIAL PROGRESS DURING X PLAN Funds Released (Rs. in Crore) Year

11 XI PLAN PROJECTIONS 62 lakes identified for conservation under NLCP. More lakes to be included on prioritisation feed back from the States. Estimated cost for ongoing & remaining lakes during XI Plan Rs.800 crore. Promotion for establishment of State level Lake Development Authorities.

12 POWAI LAKE (Before revival)

13 POWAI LAKE (After revival)

14 (BEFORE) (AFTER)

15 Main Activities for National Wetland Conservation Programme Survey and demarcation Catchment area treatment Protection measures Fisheries development Weed control Wildlife conservation Pollution abatement Research on various aspects of wetlands Eco-development activities, education and awareness.

16 ACHIEVEMENTS UNDER WETLAND CONSERVATION PROGRAMME Programme coverage increased from 27 wetlands in 13 States in 1987 to 94 in 24 States in No. of management plans increased from 35 in to 40 in Quantum of assistance increased from 6.8 cr in 8 th Plan to 30 crore in X Plan. Projections for XI Plan are Rs crore.

17 Wetland Inventorization Ministry published a wetland directory in Identification of 2167 natural freshwater wetlands covering 1.5 million ha area. Identification of 65, 253 man-made made freshwater wetlands covering 2.6 million ha area. Identified 54 additional wetlands of International importance. WWF-India & MoEF in 1993.

18 Financial Progress under Wetland Conservation Programme Outlay (Rs. in Crore) IX PLAN X PLAN XI PLAN

19 Achievements under Ramsar Convention 156 Contracting Parties with 1676 wetland sites totaling to 150 million Ha designated. 25 wetland sites designated as Ramsar sites in India. India nominated as Board of Directors of Wetlands International. MoU signed by India with different countries for conservation of aquatic fauna namely Siberian Crane & Marine turtles. A Ramsar Conservation Award given to Chilka Development Authority in 2002 for Ecological Interventions.

20 CONSTITUTIONAL & LEGAL FRAME WORK Conservation provisions in India s s Constitution. Several legislations relevant to conservation of lakes & wetlands; Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 etc. Guidelines & State level legislation for development & management of lakes & wetlands drawn up for Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka & Tamil Nadu. The National Water Policy, 2002 contain specific provisions for developing, conserving, sustainable use & management of water resources.

21 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT POLICY The National Environment Policy (2006) emphasizes- Setting up of a legally enforceable regulatory mechanism. Formulate strategies conservation and prudent use Formulate and implement eco-tourism strategies Take explicit amount of impacts on wetlands factored into cost benefit analysis. Consider particular unique wetlands as entities with Incomparable Values Integrate wetland conservation into sectoral development plans for poverty alleviation and livelihood improvement. A Regulatory Regime for Lakes & Wetlands under finalisation.

22 SUCCESS STORIES Ramsar conservation award to Chilika Lake Conservation in yr International acclaim for Integrated Management of Bhoj wetland Lake rejuvenation successfully completed in Powai, Ooty, and few small lakes of karnataka

23 LIMITATIONS OF THE PROGRAMMES Lack of legal standards. Limitations of catchment area treatment coverage. Integrated management & sustainable solutions required. Lack of interdisciplinary manpower for adopting integrated & holistic approach. Need for a strong institutional mechanism for implementation. Capacity building of local bodies for maintenance of lakes required. Economic valuation takes to be a prerequisite for EIA.

24 THE WAY FORWARD Progress indicative of future expansion. High potential for securing fresh water and marine biodiversity Developing lakes & wetlands for eco tourism grossly under tapped. Higher allocation of financial resources, trained man power, interface between researchers and managers, systematic database, methodical monitoring, insightful economic valuation and independent evaluation process State support through constitution of Lake Development Authorities A well considered legally enforceable regulatory mechanism to be in place by the central government

25 12 TH WORLD LAKE CONFERENCE International Lake Environmental Committee Foundation (ILEC) hosts biennial World Lakes Conference Ministry hosting 12 th WLC under the aegis of ILEC & with support from State Govt. of Rajasthan and Karnataka and GTZ, India. Theme : Taal 2007-Conserving Lakes & Wetlands for future Venue : B.M.Birla, Auditorium, Jaipur,, Rajasthan Total Cost : Rs crore Conference Sectt : NIE, Delhi/Jaipur Event Management & Logistics : ITDC, Delhi

26 THANK YOU