New Delhi: India has proposed the names of three cities – Indore, Bhopal, and Udaipur – for accreditation as international wetland cities.

The Ministry of Environment said these are the first three cities for which nominations have been for Wetland City Accreditation.

The proposals were formulated through collaboration between state wetland authorities and municipal corporations.

The voluntary Wetland City Accreditation system was endorsed by the Ramsar Convention during COP12 in 2015.

Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav stated that the objective of the Wetland City Accreditation scheme is to encourage the conservation and sustainable use of urban and peri-urban wetlands, fostering socio-economic benefits for local communities.

Taking to X, Yadav informed this will also provide an opportunity for cities that value their natural or human-made wetlands to gain international recognition and positive branding opportunities for their efforts in demonstrating strong positive relationships with wetlands.

In a statement, the ministry said that the wetlands situated in and around these cities provide a plethora of benefits to its citizens in terms of flood regulation, livelihood opportunities, and recreational and cultural values. Sirpur Wetland (Ramsar site in Indore), Yashwant Sagar (Ramsar site closer to Indore), Bhoj Wetland (Ramsar Site in Bhopal), and several Wetlands (Lakes) in and around Udaipur are lifelines to these cities.

Recognizing the importance of wetlands in urban and peri-urban environments and taking appropriate measures to conserve and protect these wetlands, the Ramsar Convention during COP12 held in the year 2015 approved a voluntary Wetland City Accreditation system under Resolution XII.10.

It recognizes cities that have taken exceptional steps to safeguard their urban wetlands.

The Wetland City Accreditation scheme aims to further promote the conservation and wise use of urban and peri-urban wetlands, as well as sustainable socio-economic benefits for local populations. 

Additionally, the Accreditation seeks to encourage cities that are close to and dependent on wetlands, primarily Wetlands of International Importance, but also wetlands with other conservation category status, to develop and strengthen a positive relationship with these valuable ecosystems.

To be formally accredited, a candidate for the Wetland City Accreditation should satisfy the standards used to implement each of the six international criteria mentioned in Operational Guidance for WCA of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

This voluntary scheme provides an opportunity for cities that value their natural or human-made wetlands to gain international recognition and positive branding opportunities for their efforts in demonstrating strong positive relationships with wetlands.