Himachal Pradesh State Wetlands Authority (HPSWA) Shimla in collaboration with State Forest Department, HP and GIZ organised today one day “State level multi-stakeholder meeting on Integrated Management Plans for two Ramsar sites Renukaji and Pong Dam Wetlands” at Clarkes Hotel, Shimla. Wetlands Management for Biodiversity and Climate Protection which is MOEFCC-GIZ technical cooperation project and is being implemented jointly by Himachal Pradesh State Wetlands Authority (HPSWA) and State Forest Department with technical support of Wetlands International South Asia(WISA) in Himachal Pradesh and have prepared Integrated Management Plans (IMP) for two Ramsar Sites in Himachal Pradeh – Renuka Ji Wetland and Pong Dam Lake.
The IMPs follow a cross-sectoral approach considering the full range of ecosystem services and values of wetlands by integrating objectives of multiple departments into an Integrated Management Plan. The departments of Forest, Fisheries, Tourism, Rural Development, District Administration, Panchayats and many other stakeholders jointly take the responsibility to plan and implement management actions to achieve the objectives set. Detailed presentation was given on the above mentioned two Integrated Management Plans (IMP) for two Ramsar Sites in Himachal Pradeh – Renuka Ji Wetland and Pong Dam Lake along with review of their budgets and the joint management actions with the support of various departments.
Sat Pal Dhiman, Joint Member Secretary (HIMCOSTE) warmly welcomed Sh.D.C.Rana, IAS as Chief Guest, Sh. Anil Thakur Addl. PCCF(WL) as Guest of Honour and participants from various stakeholder departments of the State. In his opening remarks, he highlighted the significance of the event and its objectives.
Thereafter D.C. Rana, Member Secretary of the Himachal Pradesh State Wetlands Authority (HPSWA), delivered a special address, providing an overview of the state’s wetlands and highlighting the actions taken by the state government.
Anil Thakur, APCCF (Wildlife) delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the importance of wetland conservation in State.
The Deputy Conservators of Forest (Wildlife) from Renukaji and Pong Dam presented the Integrated Management Plans and discussed the budget estimates. Under the Chairmanship of Sh. D.C. Rana, Member Secretary of HPSWA, an in-depth discussion with the participants was conducted, focusing on both wetlands. All the stakeholders gave their inputs which were incorporated into the proposed action plan of two wetlands.
Sat Pal Dhiman, JMS HIMCOSTE, presented the proposals for the endorsement of Integrated Management Plans and also proposed for constituting District Wetland Committees in Himachal Pradesh. The District Wetland Committees shall facilitate engagement of various stakeholders and also explore opportunities implementing various activities through convergence. GIZ provided a presentation on Indo-German project ‘Wetlands Management for Biodiversity & Climate Protection, while Waste Warrior Society briefed the attendees on solid waste management strategies for Renukaji.