Discussion on Ramsar Wetland City Recognition

During the  lake dialogue , a comprehensive discussion on wetland conservation took place among lake enthusiasts and experts. 

Dr. Anil Mehta, member of the Lake Conservation Committee, emphasized the importance of Udaipur obtaining the Ramsar Wetland City  accreditation , highlighting that it comes with significant responsibilities. He advocated for revisions in Udaipur's Master Plan, Tourism Plan, and Industry Development Plan to prioritize wetland conservation. 

Lake enthusiast Tej Shankar Paliwal reminded  that on 9th September, the Union Environment Minister presented the Ramsar Wetland City certificate to the Udaipur district administration. The certificate was anticipated to heighten administrative awareness about wetland conservation, yet no actions have been initiated so far.

Environmentalist Nand Kishore Sharma urged the administration to enforce the Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017. He stressed the necessity of delineating zones of influence around lakes ,  banning environmentally harmful activities in these areas.

 Educationist Kushal Rawal raised concerns about neglect towards the hydrological, environmental, and ecological systems of these water bodies, which are often only viewed as tourist attractions. 

Senior citizen Drupad Singh warned against the peril of seeing lakes merely as water reservoirs while ignoring their biodiversity, a neglect he deemed dangerous for Udaipur's future. 

Prior to the dialogue, there was an initiative to clean the Pichola shore, where participants actively removed waste and garbage, underscoring the importance of maintaining these natural assets.