National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA)

National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA) was launched by UPA Government in 2013 by merging two erstwhile schemes viz. National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) and National Wetlands Conservation Programme (NWCP) to run a single integrated programme for 12th plan. The idea was that a single programme would help promote better synergy and avoid overlap of the administrative functions.

At that time, an estimated cost of Rs. 900 crore was fixed for 12th plan period. It was launched as a centrally sponsored scheme with Central and State Government sharing cost in 70:30 ratio (90:10 for North East States).

The principal objectives of the new scheme were holistic conservation & restoration of lakes & wetlands for achieving desired water quality enhancement, besides improvement in biodiversity and the ecosystem.

The scheme was also expected to contribute to reduction of pollution loads and improvement in biodiversity apart from implementation of comprehensive Management Action Plans. Further, there were eloquent plans on making inventory and information system on lakes and wetlands and regulatory framework including (Revisiting the Wetlands Rules, 2010) and capacity building of state and local governments.

Current Status

The NDA Government is tweaking a few things around the scheme and the regulatory framework around the wetlands. Firstly, the government is revising the regulatory framework. In this context, the government has come up with Draft Wetland Rules 2016 on 11 April 2016. The government has invited comments from all stakeholders and experts by 6th June; and the rules have already invited criticism of environmentalists for diluting the law.

Secondly, the NDA government is willing to provide a greater role to the states in management of their wetlands, taking into consideration that water and land both are state subjects. The idea is that State Wetland Authorities would be tasked with managing the wetlands within their jurisdiction. The Government is yet to decide any concrete policy in this context. Thirdly, the government is planning to upgrade the existing Wetland Research & Training Centre of Chilika Development Authority at Barkul in Odisha as National Capacity Development Centre for Wetlands.