Shillong, Apr 17: The Hynñiewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) has advocated for the implementation of the Ramsar Convention in Meghalaya, an international treaty adopted on February 2, 1971 that aims to conserve wetlands worldwide.
The Ramsar Convention is the only global treaty explicitly focusing on the sustainable management of wetlands, fostering international collaboration to protect these invaluable ecosystems.
In a letter to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, HITO said that wetlands are crucial for maintaining biodiversity and regulating water cycles with ecological benefits, including habitat for a variety of species and mechanisms for mitigating climate change.
Despite these advantages, Meghalaya currently has no designated Ramsar sites, highlighting a significant gap in wetland preservation efforts, the organisation said.
HITO stated that while states like Assam and Tripura boast Ramsar sites, Meghalaya’s lack of political will has hindered wetland conservation.
Referring to the ongoing Green Tech Foundation’s agitation over the proposed development plans at Lumpongdeng, HITO said this shows the urgent need for action which the state government must prioritise.
HITO suggested designation of significant wetlands, particularly Umiam and Nongkhyllem to secure their ecological integrity and safeguard natural heritage for future generations.
It may be mentioned that last year the Meghalaya High Court had initiated a suo moto public interest litigation (PIL) to monitor the conservation and preservation of wetlands in the state. However, it was disposed of after the government reported that no wetlands in the state qualify as a Ramsar site.
The government had informed the court that the Meghalaya State Wetland Authority and the personnel of the Chief Conservator of Forests (Administration) had inspected the wetlands in the state which comprises of 66 lakes/ponds, one oxbow/cut off meander, six riverine wetlands, 18 waterlogged bodies, 100 river/streams, nine reservoirs/barrages and 25 tanks/ponds.
