Patna: A review meeting on wetland conservation and management was held at Sanjay Auditorium, Aranya Bhawan, Patna, under the chairmanship of Bihar’s Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister, Dr. Prem Kumar. The meeting was attended by senior officials, including the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and other top-level representatives from various forest divisions and regional offices. Participants also joined via video conferencing from Patna, Bhagalpur, and Muzaffarpur.
Key updates on Bihar’s efforts to safeguard its wetlands were discussed, highlighting recent milestones and future plans:
- New Ramsar Sites: Bihar’s Kabar Tal was designated a Ramsar site in 2020. This year, Nagi and Nakti Bird Sanctuaries in Jamui district achieved Ramsar recognition. Proposals to designate Udaipur Lake (Bettiah), Gogabeel (Purnia), and Gokul Reservoir (Bhojpur) as Ramsar sites are underway.
- Wetland Health Report: Under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, a health report card for 88 significant wetlands across 12 districts has been prepared. These wetlands will soon be developed under a dedicated management plan.
- Community Engagement: A total of 680 “wetland friends” have been appointed to raise public awareness and assist in conservation efforts. They will receive state-level training.
- Research and Training Center: The Bihar State Wetland Authority has decided to establish a Wetland Research and Training Center to bolster conservation initiatives.
- Development Projects: The integrated management plan for Gokul Reservoir has been approved, with development work set to be completed by 2027–28 at an estimated cost of Rs. 32.48 crore.
- Digital Tools: A mobile app is being developed to map and monitor 4,500 wetlands across the state.
Additionally, Dr. Prem Kumar directed officials to expedite proposals for declaring five additional wetlands—Sarotar Lake (Motihari), Narsan Chaur (Tirhut), Manika Man (Tirhut), Sunki Suiya Bhagar (Bhojpur), and Kadhio Chaur (Begusarai)—as Ramsar sites.
The minister emphasized the importance of wetlands in maintaining ecological balance and urged officials to accelerate efforts for sustainable management. With these initiatives, Bihar aims to enhance its wetland conservation framework and contribute to global efforts to preserve biodiversity.
