Description

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Context:

Indore and Udaipur have become the first two Indian cities that made it to the global list of accredited wetland cities under the Ramsar Convention.

Key Highlights of the Cities Nominated for WCA

INDORE: Lake Sirpur (instead of Ramsar) is recognized as a gathering of water birds and evolving as a shrine of birds.
UDAIPUR: surrounded by five main wetlands, namely Pichola, Fateh Sagar, Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar, and Doodh Talai.

About Wetland Accredited Cities (WCA)

Aspect	Details
System Type	Voluntary accreditation
Approval	Approved during Ramsar COP12 Convention (2015)
Objective	Promote protection and wise use of urban and suburban wetlands, ensuring sustainable socio-economic benefits for local populations.
Accreditation Validity	Valid for 6 years; renewal required if the city continues to meet all 6 criteria.
Recognition	Recognizes cities that have taken exceptional steps to ensure the protection of city wetlands.
Wetland Importance	Acknowledges the importance of wetlands in urban and suburban environments and promotes their protection.
Criteria for Accreditation	Must meet international standards for each of the 6 criteria outlined in Ramsar WCA operating instructions.
Official Recognition	As of Ramsar COP13, 74 cities from 17 countries have been officially recognized as "wetland cities".

The importance of WCA

Support the protection and wise use of urban and suburban wetlands as well as sustainable socio-economic benefits for local populations.
Encourage narrow and dependent cities, especially wetlands of international importance, to strengthen the positive relationship with these valuable ecosystems.
Assistance in implementing the AMRIT DHARAHAR of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of India.

Ramsar Convention

It is an intergovernmental contract that provides a framework for the protection and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
Adopted in 1971 and entered into force in 1975.
There are currently 85 Ramsar seats in India.

READ ABOUT

India Adds 5 New Ramsar Wetlands UPSC

Source:

TOI

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Discuss the significance of Wetland Accredited Cities in India, focusing on their role in biodiversity conservation, urban planning, and climate resilience. Use examples of cities like Indore, Bhopal, and Udaipur to support your answer. (150 words)