ENVIS Hub: Sikkim
Status of Environment and Related Issues

REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF WETLANDS

(NORTH EASTERN STATES; ASSAM, MANIPUR, MEGHALAYA, TRIPURA, MIZORAM, NAGALAND, ARUNACHAL PRADESH & SIKKIM)

8th-9th October, 2018  | Gangtok, Sikkim

North Eastern States are biodiversity hotspot of India. The eight sister states constitute approximately 5-6% of wetlands in the country. DeeporBeel in Assam, RudraSagar in Tripura, Loktak Lake in Manipur and East Kolkata Wetlands in West Bengal are Ramsar Sites which are internationallyrecognized. Besides these several small and large wetlands in the region are repository of large number of flora and fauna. Several species of fauna and flora, including rare, threatened and endemic species are restricted to this region. The wetlands of this region provide multiple provisioning and regulatory ecosystem services and support livelihood of millions of people directly and indirectly.  The life, social, cultural, spiritual and economic security of the region is inseparably linked to the health of wetland ecosystem of the region. The region also faces the impact of rapid urbanization, industrialization, pollution, colonization of invasive aliens which lead to habitat degradation and loss of wetlands.

Conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands through multiple stake holder participation involving government agencies, voluntary organizations and general public is essential for safe guarding the ecosystem health of the wetlands. Towards this goal, two day regional training cum awareness workshop is proposed for wetland managers.State government officials, researchers of North Eastern States and students of Sikkim will participate in this two day workshop in Gangtok.

Objectives:

1. Share National Policy framework for wetlands conservation and wise use
2. Develop an overview for key wetlands of the region being proposed for integrated management.
3. Assess specific issues constraining management of the region
4. Share best practices on wetland management
5. Collaboratively develop recommendations for strengthening conservation and wise use of wetlands in the region.

Targeted participants:

1. National River Conservation Directorate, MoEF&CC, Govt. of India, New Delhi
2. Regional Office of MoEF&CC, North Eastern Region.
3. Wetland managers (Forest Department) of eight North Eastern States
4. Forest officers of Forest, Environment& Wildlife Management Department, Government of Sikkim    
5. Tsomgo Pokhri Samrakshan Samiti
6. NGOs and CBOs of Sikkim

Resource Persons Lectures: