Tamil Nadu Wetland Mission

Wetlands offer a multitude of ecosystem services which have significant impact on the socio-economic sphere of our lives. Millions of people depend on wetlands for their livelihood.

They play a critical role in water purification, ground water replenishment, drought and flood management. Conservation of wetlands is essential for water and food security. Role of wetlands has become even more important in the light of adverse and serious impact of climate change. Wetlands are particularly impacted by climate change, especially sea-level rise, coral bleaching as a result of increased sea surface temperatures, and changing hydrology in inland waters. Wetlands are known to be repositories of carbon and are considered as "carbon sinks".

Mission

Minimize the rate of loss of natural wetlands and feasibly enforce "Net Zero Wetland Degradation" with the help of Government, Experts, NGO's and local communities or the wetland mitras.

Improvement in water-related ecosystem services, such as clean drinking water, water for agriculture and flood regulation, erosion control, sediment deposition, carbon sequestration, increase in agricultural production, inland fisheries and tourism activities.

Reduction in incidences of nutrient enrichment from current level of 100% to 25% by promoting organic farming adjoining the wetlands by the end of 5 years

Introduction of Carbon Credit System in the wetlands restoration programme and involve local communities for reaping the benefits of future voluntary Carbon market.

Generate widespread awareness amongst the people and communities on the ecosystem value of the wetlands and the need for its conservation and wise use for the sustenance of future generations.

Aim

Climate Studio

The Mission will identify and map 100 wetlands in 5 years and restore the ecological balance with focus on livelihood options

A Project Management Unit (PMU) has been set up under the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Member Secretary, Tamil Nadu State Wetlands Authority which will be involved in the Mission activities like preparation of brief documents and final notification of the natural wetlands, preparation of proposals for the RAMSAR sites, creation of wetland conservation centre at Muthupet, Tiruvarur District etc., as envisaged under the Action Plan for the Tamil Nadu Wetland Missionfor the year 2021-2012.

Objectives

Conserve Biodiversity

Identify, map and inventorise wetlands in the State of Tamil Nadu and Conserve wetland biodiversity through community based approaches.

Eco-Restoration

Undertake comprehensive eco-restoration of wetlands in accordance with proven scientific strategies and evidence based methodologies.

Campaigns & Research

Raise awareness on wetland conservation through public awareness campaigns and Promote research and monitoring of wetland resources for effective management.

Projects

Integrated Management Plan for Wetlands.

Preparation of 100 Integrated Wetland Management Plans (IMPS) of the identified wetlands including the RAMSAR sites which depicts details on the biodiversity, ecosystem services and value of wetlands for the current and the future periods.

Activities

Core Project Activities

Identification, digital inventory of wetlands

Preparation of Brief Documents

Preparation of Draft and Final Notification

Preparation of integrated Management

Plan of Wetlands Ecological Restoration

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Boundary delineation and demarcation

Boundary mapping and delineation including coastal wetlands. Removal of encroachments. Mapping of wetlands in TN

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Catchment conservation

Afforestation and aided regeneration Small scale engineering measures (gully plugging, check dams, gabion structures etc.

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Water Management

Selective dredging and desilting to improve hydrological connectivity

Interception, diversion and treatment of point sources of pollution

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Biodiversity Conservation

Habitat evaluation and improvement
Maintenance of breeding and spawning grounds for key species
Management of invasive species

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Sustainable resource development

Sustainable fisheries development Sustainable agriculture development

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Institutional Development

Setting regulatory regimes Development of monitoring and evaluation system Communication and Outreach

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Achievements

The Ramsar Secretariat has designated 13 new Ramsar sites in the state of Tamil Nadu during the period July 2022-August 2022 under Ramsar convention which has made Tamil Nadu the state with the highest number of Ramsar Sites in India.