National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA)

The National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA) is a centrally sponsored scheme of the Government of India aimed at the holistic conservation and management of wetlands and lakes across the country. It functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and seeks to integrate sustainable use of aquatic resources with their ecological restoration. The programme is regarded as a critical policy intervention to protect freshwater ecosystems, maintain biodiversity, and ensure the livelihood support that such ecosystems provide to millions of people.

Background and Evolution

India is home to a vast diversity of freshwater ecosystems, including rivers, lakes, ponds, wetlands, and reservoirs. These aquatic bodies play a vital role in maintaining hydrological regimes, recharging groundwater, supporting agriculture, and preserving biodiversity. However, rapid urbanisation, industrialisation, pollution, and encroachments have led to widespread degradation of aquatic habitats.
Prior to the NPCA, conservation efforts were divided under two separate schemes—National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP) launched in 1987 and the National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) launched in 2001. While the NWCP focused on wetlands of national importance, the NLCP targeted conservation and restoration of polluted and degraded lakes. Both programmes were merged in 2013 to form the NPCA, ensuring a unified and integrated approach to aquatic ecosystem management.

Objectives

The NPCA has multiple objectives that encompass ecological, social, and economic aspects of aquatic ecosystems:

• To conserve and sustainably manage wetlands and lakes through an ecosystem approach.
• To strengthen protection measures against encroachment, pollution, and unsustainable resource use.
• To support the development of management action plans for identified waterbodies.
• To enhance water quality and improve hydrological regimes of aquatic ecosystems.
• To promote community participation and capacity-building of stakeholders.
• To conserve biodiversity and maintain habitat for aquatic flora and fauna, including migratory birds.

Features of the Scheme

The NPCA is structured with key features that guide its implementation:

• Centrally Sponsored Scheme: Costs are shared between the Central and State Governments, typically in a 60:40 ratio (90:10 for North Eastern states).
• Selection Criteria: Wetlands and lakes are prioritised based on ecological significance, biodiversity value, and threat perception.
• Integrated Management Approach: Emphasises catchment area treatment, pollution abatement, sewage management, and community engagement.
• Institutional Mechanism: State-level steering committees oversee project implementation while technical guidance is provided by MoEFCC and expert bodies.
• Public Involvement: Local communities, panchayati raj institutions, and urban bodies are encouraged to participate in conservation efforts.

Major Activities

Activities undertaken under the NPCA cover a wide spectrum of interventions:

• Ecological Restoration: Removal of invasive weeds, desilting, and eco-restoration of catchment areas.
• Pollution Control: Interception, diversion, and treatment of sewage; regulation of industrial effluents.
• Hydrological Improvement: Rainwater harvesting, recharge of aquifers, and maintenance of natural flow regimes.
• Biodiversity Conservation: Habitat protection for species, especially migratory and resident birds.
• Community-Based Management: Awareness campaigns, training programmes, and eco-tourism initiatives.
• Research and Monitoring: Scientific studies, capacity building, and development of database systems for wetlands.

Implementation and Funding

The NPCA operates on a cost-sharing basis between the Centre and States. The MoEFCC provides central assistance to states/union territories for approved projects. States are required to prepare Integrated Management Action Plans (IMAPs) which outline site-specific conservation measures. Funds are released in phases based on project progress.
Monitoring is carried out at multiple levels—local implementation agencies, state steering committees, and periodic review by the central government. Remote sensing and GIS-based tools are increasingly being employed for monitoring and evaluation.

Achievements

Since its inception, the NPCA has supported conservation works at numerous wetlands and lakes across India. Important sites include Chilika Lake (Odisha), Loktak Lake (Manipur), Nainital Lake (Uttarakhand), Bhoj Wetlands (Madhya Pradesh), and Vembanad Lake (Kerala). Restoration activities have helped improve water quality, control invasive species, and revive biodiversity in several regions.
India has also designated multiple wetlands under the Ramsar Convention, and the NPCA has played a supporting role in strengthening these sites’ management.

Challenges

Despite progress, the NPCA faces several challenges:

• Urbanisation Pressure: Encroachment, land reclamation, and infrastructure development threaten aquatic habitats.
• Pollution Load: Untreated sewage and industrial waste continue to enter water bodies, undermining conservation efforts.
• Institutional Weaknesses: Delays in fund release, lack of inter-departmental coordination, and weak enforcement remain persistent issues.
• Community Participation: While encouraged, actual local-level engagement is often limited.
• Climate Change Impact: Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and extreme weather events add further stress to fragile ecosystems.

Significance

The NPCA is significant not only for biodiversity conservation but also for socio-economic and cultural reasons. Wetlands and lakes are crucial for fisheries, agriculture, groundwater recharge, and eco-tourism. They act as natural buffers against floods and droughts, making them vital for climate resilience. The scheme also supports India’s commitments under international frameworks such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.