Indore, Udaipur Join Global Wetland Cities Network

Indore and Udaipur have achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first two cities from India to join the global list of accredited Wetland Cities under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. This recognition marks an important step in India’s commitment to sustainable urban development and ecological conservation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated both cities, highlighting the importance of balancing urban growth with environmental sustainability. The accreditation reflects the value of wetlands in providing ecological, social, and economic benefits, making them vital for the sustainable development of cities.

Key Highlights

Indore and Udaipur’s Recognition

• Indore and Udaipur are the first Indian cities to be recognized under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
• Both cities were nominated by the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).

Wetlands in Indore and Udaipur

• Indore: Sirpur Lake, a Ramsar site, is recognized for its significance as a water bird congregation area and is being developed as a bird sanctuary.
• Udaipur: Surrounded by five major wetlands, including Pichola, Fateh Sagar, Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar, and Doodh Talai, which contribute to the city’s culture, identity, and microclimate regulation.

Significance of Wetlands

• Wetlands provide multiple benefits such as flood regulation, livelihood opportunities, and recreational values.
• They also play a key role in ecological conservation and mitigating extreme climate events.

Prime Minister’s Message

• PM Modi praised the cities for their achievement and encouraged further efforts in creating greener and eco-friendly urban spaces.
• The recognition aligns with India’s broader vision of sustainable development, integrating ecology with economic growth.

Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav’s Statement

• The achievement reflects the vision of “marching ahead aligning economy and ecology.”
• He urged citizens to contribute towards making India a “Green Bharat” as part of the vision for a developed, eco-friendly nation.

About Wetland City Accreditation

• The Ramsar Convention during COP12 held in the year 2015 approved a voluntary Wetland City Accreditation system under Resolution XII.10
• It recognizes cities which have taken exceptional steps to safeguard their urban wetlands.
• It also recognizes the importance of wetlands in urban and peri-urban environments and to take appropriate measures to conserve and protect these wetlands.
• This voluntary scheme provides an opportunity for cities that value their natural or human-made wetlands to gain international recognition and positive publicity for their efforts.
• This 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.
• To be formally accredited, a candidate for WCA 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.
• Since Ramsar COP13, 43 cities from 17 countries have been officially recognized as “Wetland Cities”.

Summary/Static	Details
Why in the news?	Indore, Udaipur Join Global Wetland Cities Network
Cities Recognized	Indore and Udaipur
Global Wetland Cities	31 Wetland Accredited Cities globally, with Indore and Udaipur as the first Indian cities.
Significant Wetlands	Indore: Sirpur Lake, Ramsar site, bird sanctuary. Udaipur: Pichola, Fateh Sagar, Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar, Doodh Talai wetlands.
Benefits of Wetlands	Flood regulation, livelihood, recreational and cultural values, climate regulation, and ecosystem services.
PM Modi’s Message	Congratulated cities and encouraged efforts for greener, cleaner urban spaces.
Union Minister’s Message	Acknowledged PM’s vision of aligning economy and ecology, urging citizens to work towards a “Green Bharat”.
Government’s Vision	Emphasizes sustainable development, ecological conservation, and holistic urban development.
Establishment (Wetland City Accredition)	Approved by Ramsar Convention COP12 (2015), under Resolution XII.10.
Recognition	Recognizes cities that conserve and protect urban wetlands.
Global Reach	43 cities from 17 countries have been accredited as Wetland Cities.
Accreditation Criteria	Must meet six international criteria set by Ramsar Convention.
Primary Objectives	– Conservation of urban wetlands. – Socio-economic benefits for local communities. – Promotion of sustainable urban development.
Benefits of WCA	– Environmental: Biodiversity, water regulation, flood prevention. – Social: Community education and involvement. – Economic: Eco-tourism and sustainable livelihoods.
Global Impact	Provides international recognition and positive publicity for conservation efforts.