Udaipur Earns Prestigious Ramsar Wetland City Accreditation
Udaipur was awarded the Ramsar Wetland City Accreditation in 2025. This recognition honours cities excelling in wetland conservation and sustainable management. The award was presented during the Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan Awards and Wetland Cities Recognition Ceremony organised by Environment Ministry. Udaipur, known as the ‘City of Lakes’, joined a select global group for its exemplary efforts in protecting urban wetlands.
Significance of Wetlands
Wetlands act as natural environmental filters. They control floods, absorb pollutants, and support rich biodiversity. They also hold cultural and economic importance for local communities. The Ramsar Convention marks wetlands as ‘kidneys of the environment’. Urban wetlands require active management to maintain their ecological balance amid city growth.
Criteria for Ramsar Wetland City Accreditation
Cities must demonstrate strong wetland protection policies. Community involvement in conservation is essential. Urban planning should integrate wetland management. Biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods linked to wetlands are key factors. Udaipur fulfilled these through long-term lake conservation, public participation, and eco-tourism promotion.
Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan Awards 2025
The awards assessed 130 cities under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). Eleven cities were recognised for air quality improvements and sustainable urban practices. Indore topped the list with a perfect score of 200/200. Other high scorers included Jabalpur, Agra, Surat, Amravati, and Dewas. The awards encouraged innovations in pollution control, green transport, and waste management.
Financial Support for Clean Air Initiatives
A total of ₹1.55 lakh crore was mobilised for clean air actions across 130 cities. This included ₹20,130 crore under NCAP and additional funds through central and state schemes. The financial boost supports tree planting, electric vehicle adoption, waste-to-energy projects, and air quality monitoring.
India’s Wetland Conservation Progress
India now hosts 91 Ramsar sites, the highest in Asia and third globally. The area covered by these wetlands is 1.36 million hectares. The government promotes circular economy principles to reduce waste and enhance resource reuse. Campaigns like Mission Amrit Sarovar and Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam focus on waterbody restoration and mass tree planting.
Role of Community and Urban Planning
Community engagement is crucial for wetland sustainability. Awareness drives and eco-tourism help generate local support. Urban planning integrates wetland zones as protected areas. This approach balances development with environmental conservation. Udaipur’s model marks the success of combining tradition with modern management.
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