Rs 1,000 crore launched for 157 wetlands in India: Javadekar

Over Rs 1,000 crore has been launched for the conservation of 157 wetlands within the nation underneath the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems (NPCA), Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) Prakash Javadekar knowledgeable Parliament on Friday.
In a written reply to a query within the Lok Sabha on whether or not the variety of lakes has declined considerably throughout the nation over latest years, Javadekar mentioned speedy urbanisation, improvement actions and anthropogenic pressures have confused water our bodies.
“Under the NPCA scheme, the central assistance is based on proposals received from state governments, in conformity with the guidelines and budget availability. Accordingly, so far, MoEFCC has sanctioned projects for conservation of 157 wetlands in the country and released an amount of about Rs 1,039 crore as central share,” the minister mentioned.

The NPCA is a conservation programme for each wetlands and lakes. It is a Centrally-sponsored scheme, at present being carried out by the MoEFCC, and was formulated in 2015 by merging of the National Lake Conservation Plan and the National Wetlands Conservation Programme.
“Various departments in the Central government and the state governments are engaged in restoration, conservation and preservation of lakes and wetlands. Works related to water resources development and management are planned, funded, executed and maintained by the state governments themselves as per their own resources and priorities,” Javadekar mentioned.

He mentioned the ministry is implementing the NPCA on a cost-sharing foundation between the Centre and the respective states.