ISRO-based atlas has identified 2,119 potential wetlands in State
Pioneer News Service
Ranchi
The first meeting of the Jharkhand State Wetland Authority was held at the Jharkhand Secretariat on Monday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, with a focus on the identification, conservation, demarcation and scientific management of wetlands across the state.
Several key issues concerning the protection and management of wetlands were discussed during the meeting. The Chief Minister directed officials to identify wetlands in the state in accordance with Supreme Court directives, undertake detailed studies and systematic documentation, and complete the notification process after demarcation.
Soren also directed officials to prepare and regularly update a comprehensive list of wetlands in Jharkhand and develop and maintain a dedicated database. He said the process—from identification and verification of potential wetlands to demarcation, notification, documentation and preparation of management plans—would be an important step towards protecting the state’s natural water bodies.
The Chief Minister said wetlands are not only important water resources but also form a vital foundation for Jharkhand’s biodiversity, ecological balance and local ecosystems. He stressed the need for detailed studies and effective management plans based on available scientific data.
He also called for systematic records of the present condition of wetlands, their water sources, activities in surrounding areas and changes that have taken place over time.
During the meeting, officials informed the Chief Minister that an ISRO-based atlas has identified 2,119 potential wetlands in Jharkhand. These sites will now undergo physical and factual verification by district-level wetland committees.
The committees will also assess compliance with wetland regulations, monitor and prevent encroachments, regulate activities in and around wetland areas and submit reports to the Jharkhand State Wetland Authority.
Following this process, the state-level committee will finalise the identification and demarcation of wetlands. Officials were directed to ensure that the demarcation and subsequent notification of identified wetlands are carried out in accordance with Supreme Court directions.
The meeting also directed that management plans should be prepared, wherever required, for the conservation and effective management of important wetlands.
Focus on Scientific Management and Ecological Protection
The high-level meeting brought together senior officials from the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department, Water Resources Department, Urban Development Department and Revenue, Registration and Land Reforms Department.
The discussions focused on strengthening the state’s ecosystem, conserving biodiversity and restoring natural water bodies as part of efforts to address water-related challenges.
The authority also discussed several proposals concerning its effective functioning, including the formation of committees for screening tender and procurement documents and approving tenders. Proposals for setting up a technical committee and a committee to examine public complaints and forward recommendations to the State Wetland Authority for final decisions were also discussed.
The meeting further deliberated on budgetary provisions, funds required for running the authority’s office, availability of adequate human resources and effective implementation of wetland conservation and management regulations.
Senior officials present at the meeting included Chief Secretary Avinash Kumar, PCCF-cum-Head of Forest Force Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary of the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department Abu Bakar Siddiqui P., Revenue, Registration and Land Reforms Secretary Chandrashekhar, Finance Secretary Prashant Kumar, Rural Development Secretary Manoj Kumar, Tourism Secretary Mukesh Kumar, Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board Member Secretary-cum-Special Secretary, Information and Public Relations Department Rajiv Lochan Bakshi, PCCF Wildlife Ravi Ranjan, and CCF Wildlife-cum-Member Secretary of the Jharkhand State Wetland Authority S.R. Natesh, among others.
