Telangana Forest Dept celebrates World Wetlands Day: Proposals for four wetlands as RAMSAR sites

A review meeting was held at Aranya Bhavan with Forest Department officials on the occasion of World Wetlands Day. The meeting, chaired by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Dr. C. Suvarna, extensively discussed the conservation of wetlands.

Speaking on the occasion, the officials stated that the experiences of local people and the traditional knowledge passed down through generations are crucial in wetland conservation. They noted that wetlands have an inseparable connection with people’s lifestyles and cultural practices.

The officials explained that wetlands play a vital role in naturally purifying water, storing groundwater, and mitigating the effects of climate change. They stated that wetlands can store more carbon than forests, thus contributing to the control of global warming. They added that wetlands, being centres of biodiversity, serve as primary habitats for birds, fish, and other species.

The officials informed that the Telangana State Wetlands Authority has been established as per the 2017 regulations for the conservation and management of wetlands. They said that at the state level, the Forest Minister acts as the chairperson and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests as the member secretary, while committees function under the Collectors at the district level. They revealed that they are identifying environmentally critical wetlands and undertaking the notification process.

The Forest Department officials stated that they are preparing proposals to recognize wetlands such as Manjira, Pakhal, Pocharam, and Kinnerasani as internationally recognized Ramsar sites. PCCFs Vinay Kumar and Ratnakar Jauhari, CCFs Saravanan and Kshitija, Wildlife OSD Shankaran, and other senior officials participated in this meeting.