Wetland City Accreditation (WCA)

GS 3 – Environment

Context: Indore and Udaipur have become the first Indian cities to receive the prestigious Wetland City Accreditation (WCA) under the Ramsar Convention on W etlands.

What is Wetland City Accreditation (WCA)?

• Definition: A voluntary recognition under the Ramsar Convention that honors cities for their efforts in wetland conservation.
• Established in COP12 (2015): Introduced at the 12th Conference of the Parties (COP12) in Uruguay.
• Validity: Accreditation lasts for six years and can be renewed upon continued compliance with international standards.

Objectives:

• Promote the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands in urban and peri-urban areas.
• Balance ecological preservation with socio-economic benefits for local communities.
• Encourage cities near Ramsar sites to maintain positive engagement with these ecosystems.

Criteria for Accreditation:

Cities must meet six key international standards, including:

• Implementing wetland conservation and wise-use measures.
• Enhancing the ecosystem services of wetlands.
• Integrating wetland sustainability into socio-economic planning.
• Involving local communities in conservation efforts.
• Addressing wetland degradation challenges.
• Protecting both natural and artificial wetlands.

Key Features:

• Provides global recognition and positive visibility for cities.
• Encourages wetland-friendly policies in urban planning.
• Supports India’s Amrit Dharohar Initiative by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
• Aims to integrate ecological preservation with sustainable urban development.

Indian Cities Awarded WCA:

1. Indore, Madhya Pradesh:
   • Recognized for Sirpur Lake, a Ramsar site known for its bird sanctuary and water bird congregation zone.
2. Udaipur, Rajasthan:
   • Accredited for its network of wetlands, including Pichola, Fateh Sagar, Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar, and Doodh Talai, which support biodiversity and eco-tourism.