(Feature Image: Villagers plant mangrove saplings in an island off Kudikadu village in Tamil Nadu’s Cuddalore district. Credit: The Print)
Marking the World Wetlands Day 2025, this article carries top ten positive reports from 2024 on protection and conservation of wetlands in India. The overview highlights some remarkable steps taken by individuals, community groups, governments for restoration of wetlands, lakes, waterbodies and mangroves in the country during the past year. We have also published three overviews on the issue including the situation of Ramsar wetlands, other wetlands and important judicial decisions regarding management of wetlands in the country.
1. Report India’s ‘lake man’ cleans up critical water supplies “Lakes are lungs of the earth,” said the 43-year-old mechanical engineer Anand Malligavad, known to some as the “lake man” for his campaign to bring scores of them back to life. “I tell people if you have money, better to spend it on lakes. Decades later, it will serve you.” Malligavad’s first target was a trash-filled and dried-out site he passed on his way to work at an automotive components maker. “I thought instead of inspiring people… let me start doing it,” he said. “Let it start with me.”
He began by studying the skills used during the centuries-long rule of the medieval Chola dynasty, who turned low-lying areas into shallow reservoirs that provided water for drinking and irrigation. The lakes stored the heavy monsoon rains and helped to replenish groundwater.
The restoration process is simple, Malligavad said. He first drains the remaining lake water and removes the silt and weeds. Then he strengthens the dams, restores the surrounding canals and creates lagoons, before replanting the site with native trees and aquatic plants. After that, he says: “Don’t put anything into it. Naturally, rain will come and naturally, an ecosystem will be built.”
His initial success eventually led him to work full-time in cleaning lakes, raising cash from company corporate social responsibility funds. So far, he has restored more than 80 lakes covering over 360 hectares in total and expanded into 9 other Indian states. The renewed reservoirs help supply water to hundreds of thousands of people, according to Malligavad.
Malligavad, trekking out to visit over 180 ancient lakes, said he saw the “simple cost” they had taken to construct. They did not use expensive materials but only “soil, water, botanicals (plants) and canals”, he said. He persuaded his company to stump up around $120,000 to fund his first project, the restoration of the 14-hectare (36-acre) Kyalasanahalli lake. Using excavators, Malligavad and his workers took around 45 days to clear the site back in 2017. When the monsoon rains came months later, he went boating in the cool and clean waters.
Malligavad said his work has carried some risk — he has been threatened by land grabbers and real estate moguls and was beaten by a gang wanting him to stop. But the sight of people enjoying a restored lake gave him his “biggest happiness”, he said. “Kids are swimming and enjoying it”, he said, beside a restored lake. “More than this, what do you want?” https://www.forbesindia.com/article/lifes/anand-malligavad-indias-lake-man-cleans-up-critical-water-supplies/91385/1 (12 Feb. 2024)
2. Report Constructed wetlands as a solution Constructed wetlands emerge as a promising approach, offering not only effective treatment but also environmental and economic benefits. These remarkable ecosystems marry the elegance of natural processes with human innovation, providing an eco-friendly alternative to conventional treatment methods.
An example is the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary in Delhi’s outskirts. Here, a constructed wetland system aids in purifying sewage from nearby settlements while also providing a sanctuary for diverse flora and fauna, thus contributing to regional biodiversity conservation.
In Chennai, Perungudi and Kodungaiyur regions have implemented constructed wetlands as part of their decentralised wastewater treatment strategy. These wetlands effectively treat sewage from local communities, alleviating the burden on centralised treatment facilities and significantly reducing pollutant levels.
The East Kolkata Wetlands in W Bengal, designated as a Ramsar site, feature a vast network of natural and constructed wetlands. These wetlands play a vital role in treating wastewater from Kolkata and its environs while also offering livelihood opportunities for local communities engaged in fishing and agriculture.
In Haryana, Palla village along Yamuna river hosts a constructed wetland system that treats wastewater from Delhi before its discharge into the river. This initiative helps enhance water quality in the Yamuna, benefiting both human populations and aquatic ecosystems.
Auroville, an international township in TN, has implemented decentralised wastewater treatment systems, including constructed wetlands, to treat sewage generated within its premises.
In Rajasthan, the Sariska Tiger Reserve has embarked on utilising constructed wetlands for treating wastewater from nearby villages. This approach not only addresses the sanitation needs of local communities but also aids in maintaining the ecological integrity of the reserve. https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/water/constructed-wetlands-are-nature-s-ingenious-solution-for-wastewater-treatment-in-india-96014 (07 May 2024)
3. Karnataka Desilting lakes enhanced agriculture & groundwater In a striking contrast to the acute water crisis in Bengaluru, Moodabidri taluka in Dakshina Kannada district stands as a beacon of hope, thanks to a decade-long initiative led by Prof TV Ramachandra from the IISC, Bengaluru. The significant turnaround in Moodabidri’s water scenario was brought about by desilting all 32 lakes in the region and creating new water bodies, a move that not only averted a looming water crisis but also had a profound impact on local agriculture and groundwater levels. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/lake-desilting-helps-farmers-ups-water-table-iisc-scientist/articleshow/108089492.cms (29 Feb. 2024)
4. CSE Country’s lakes and ponds Centre for Science & Environment released a new book, ‘Back from the Brink: Rejuvenating India’s lakes, ponds and tanks – a compendium of success stories’, at a national symposium. Survey covers around 250 revived waterbodies from nine states and Union territories from across the country; assesses the role played by 27 programmes and schemes in reviving these waterbodies. https://www.cseindia.org/as-india-reels-under-a-water-crisis-a-cse-survey-unveils-some-good-news-the-country-s-lakes-and-ponds-are-on-a-revival-route-12249 (26 June 2024) The study found Odisha met the target by restoring and constructing more than 75 Amrit Sarovars in each of its 30 districts. While Uttar Pradesh topped the list with 16,909 water bodies, at least 2,367 water bodies were developed in Odisha. Other states that have completed their targets are Mah, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh & Andhra Pradesh. A reason for Odisha achieving the high rate of completion was mainly due to an existing local scheme ‘Mo Pokhari’ to revive water bodies. https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2024/Jun/28/odisha-among-top-seven-states-in-water-body-revival-efforts (28 June 2024)
5. Tamil Nadu Thirukazhukundram reviving waterbodies Once a parched town relying on tractors to fetch water, Thirukazhukundram in Chengalpet district is now on revival mode. Daily water consumption is 24 lakh litres, mainly sourced from Palar River and Keerapakkam Lake. The panchayat leveraged multiple govt schemes to restore 16 long-neglected ponds and boost groundwater levels in nearby villages, investing 4.17 crore.
Rainfall in subsequent years helped things, prompting residents to call for measures to strengthen groundwater levels. G D Yuvaraj, the panchayat chairman, said, he secured funds from the 15th Finance Commission to create a model pond. “We revived Sunambu Kulam in Mangalam by deepening & raising the bund height, allowing it to hold up to 30 ft water. After the rains, water storage increased & nearby wells saw improved water quality,” he said.
In 2023, Vannam Kulam in Thirukazhukundram town was selected for restoration under Kalaignar Urban Development Scheme. C S Seenuvasan, a resident, says only a few ponds were desilted 15 years ago, and only one was successfully revived. “Our well water is also salty,” he noted, emphasising the long-standing demand for pond restoration. “It’s essential that these ponds are well-maintained in the years ahead, with regular desilting.” https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/thirukazhukundrams-incredible-waterbody-revival-a-model-for-sustainable-water-management/articleshow/114956154.cms (5 Nov 2024)
6. Goa 10 more waterbodies notified as wetlands The state department of environment and climate change has issued the final notification declaring 10 more lakes as wetlands in Goa, under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017. Already, 15 lakes in the state have been notified as wetlands. Now the total number of wetlands in Goa has gone up to 25. The waterbodies notified as wetlands are Parra lake in Bardez, Panchami lake in Ponda, Karmale lake or Arla Keri Tollem and Betal lake at Querim in Ponda, Kolamwada lake and Kodal lake at Karapur in Bicholim, Macasana lake in Salcete, Sapu lake or Tollem Bandar at Ambelim in Salcete, Bandolem lake at Sancoale in Mormugao, and Talaulim lake or Talsal Tollem in Ponda.
The Goa State Wetland Authority and the MoEF will now monitor the enforcement of the wetland conservation rules for these wetlands and their zone of influence. Historically, most wetlands of Goa were created as agricultural tanks to store rainwater as a source of irrigation in the post-monsoon months. They support the extant flora and fauna, including migratory birds. Many waterbodies were constructed for storage within temple premises and this conservation effort gained a sacred status in the form of temple tanks, promoting water harvesting. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/10-more-waterbodies-notified-as-wetlands-state-now-has-25/articleshow/117157640.cms (12 Jan 2025)
7. Puducherry Attempts to encroach mangroves thwarted An attempt to encroach an irrigation channel that runs through the ecologically sensitive mangroves at Thengaithittu coastal hamlet has been thwarted due to the intervention of the NGT and the District Administration. Following a complaint filed by retired IFS Officer P. Devaraj to the NGT Grievance Redressal Cell in May this year, the NGT directed the District Collector to constitute a committee to look into the complaint of huge destruction of mangroves by “some private entrepreneurs in connivance with the Forest Department.”
Mr. Devaraj had based his complaint on an article that appeared in Hindu Tamil Thisai in May this year about the large-scale destruction of mangroves due to the encroachments on an irrigation channel. After the NGT direction, the District Collector constituted a committee under Sub-Collector (North) to investigate the matter. The committee had members from Municipality, Public Works Dept, Revenue and Coastal Management Authority, said an official.
“The committee has found that a 300 m long channel having a width of 4.2 m was encroached upon by dumping gravel inside the drain and cutting around 50 mangroves. A gate was also constructed near the channel. We have served notice to the persons who have encroached in the area and two days ago we restored the channel to its original condition. A detailed report will be submitted to NGT soon,” a senior official said. Inquires revealed that the land on either side of the irrigation channel belonged to the family of an influential politician in Puducherry. They were served notice before restoration of the irrigation channel, sources said.
According to an environmental activist, the intention of the encroachers was to destroy the mangroves by cutting the water channel. “In certain parts near the mangroves, an effort was made to appear that the land belonged to the Forest Department by painting the fencing green. The entire area should be surveyed,” he said. The entire stretch comes under the Coastal Regulation Zone-1, he said, allowing construction activity to take place in the mangrove site was in itself a grave violation. “A detailed probe should be done to bring the entire facts to the public domain,” he added. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/puducherry/attempts-to-encroach-mangroves-thwarted-in-puducherry/article68426352.ece (20 July 2024)
8. Telangana State may get tribunal to deal with green issues Telangana may soon have a green bench or special division bench of high court to deal with environmental issues, especially pollution and encroachment of water bodies, at state level. Already, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal have such special benches in place. The chief justice of Telangana high court has power to constitute a division bench on special matters, and it has been done earlier on special issues.
A suggestion to this effect came from a committee constituted by the high court on lake encroachments, which had inspected 13 lakes and identified 1,100 encroachments on full tank level (FTL) and buffer zones of the water bodies. It has said a state-level green tribunal on the lines of the NGT or a special division bench could be set up for the speedy disposal of environmental issues. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/telangana-to-establish-state-tribunal-for-environmental-issues/articleshow/112976312.cms (2 Sep 2024)
Curb encroachment on water bodies: CM The CM A Revanth Reddy has directed Collectors of all districts to identify and list out the encroachments on lakes/tanks and nalas in their respective districts for implementing a special drive to remove the encroachments thereby protecting the water bodies and preventing flooding of residential colonies.
He said there is an imperative need to evolve a robust system along the lines of the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency in all the dists to curb encroachment of water bodies. The CM issued directions to this effect during a meeting in Mahabubabad Collectorate on Sep 3 to review the situation arising out of heavy rains that battered Mahabubabad dist in the past 3 days. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/curb-encroachment-on-water-bodies-telangana-cm-directs-collectors/article68601956.ece (04 Sept. 2024)
9. Tamil Nadu Govt is on mangrove mission to create ‘bio-shields’ As part of the Green Tamil Nadu Mission, the state government is establishing ‘bio-shields’ across 10 coastal districts, including Cuddalore. The Department of Environment and Climate Change has allocated Rs 35 crore to implement the ‘Rehabilitation of Coastal Habitats through the Formation of Bio-shields’ scheme, launched last year. “The state government’s strategy is to find new areas for mangrove forests and restore the degraded ones,” said Deepak Srivastava, additional principal chief conservator of forests and member-secretary of the SWA.
The goal is ambitious: expand Tamil Nadu’s mangrove cover by adding 67.8 sq km to the existing 44.94 sq km by 2026. This target has become even more urgent after the devastating floods last Dec in the coastal districts of Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Tenkasi & Kanniyakumari, coupled with the IUCN designating the state’s mangroves as ‘critically endangered’ this May. https://theprint.in/ground-reports/tamil-nadu-is-on-a-mangrove-mission-to-create-bio-shields-villagers-are-on-the-frontlines/2231305/ (25 Aug. 2024)
10. Assam Prepare note on wetlands restoration to divert floodwater: Centre The Central Govt has directed Assam to prepare a concept note for the restoration of 271 wetlands for diversion of flood water by Dec 2024. The North East Space Application Centre has already identified 271 wetlands, which can be rejuvenated for the diversion of flood water. The WRD has already identified 9 wetlands in 7 districts, which can be revived for diversion of flood water and Rs. 380 crore has been sanctioned for the project. However, the Centre is of the view that a feasibility study of all the 271 wetlands identified by the NESAC should be carried out.
Official sources said that after the preparation of the concept paper, it would be sent to the Central Government. If the Centre approves it, a DPR will be prepared. Sources said that the idea is to divert 3 million cubic meters of water to the water bodies during the flood season. However, diverting water itself will be a major challenge as it will lead to fiddling with the banks of the rivers. Earlier, the Govt was planning to dig big tanks to divert and store water during the flood season. But there is a shortage of vacant land in the Brahmaputra basin to dig up huge ponds to divert flood water and that is why, the decision to rejuvenate the existing water bodies was taken. https://assamtribune.com/assam/centre-directs-assam-govt-to-prepare-note-on-wetlands-restoration-to-divert-floodwater-1557278 (08 Nov. 2024)
Some More Relevant Reports
Maharashtra Scientists find methane-eating bacteria in wetlands Scientists from Agharkar Research Institute (ARI) led by Monali Rahalkar have discovered India’s first indigenous methane mitigating agents, also known as methanotrophs, from rice fields and wetlands of Western Ghats and Vetal Tekdi in Pune. Methanotrophs are natural methane mitigating agents present in environments where methane and oxygen both are available. The second most important greenhouse gas, methane has 26 times more global warming potential compared to carbon dioxide. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/scientists-find-indias-1st-methane-eating-bacteria-in-western-ghats-wetlands-vetal-tekdi-quarry/articleshow/112389676.cms (10 Aug. 2024)
Rajasthan First ‘teal carbon’ study bets on wetlands to address climate change threats India’s first study on ‘teal carbon’ (Teal carbon is carbon that is stored in non-tidal freshwater wetlands, like marshes. It is stored in vegetation, microbial biomass, and dissolved and particulate organic matter), undertaken at Keoladeo National Park (KNP) in Bharatpur district, has highlighted the significance of wetland conservation to address the challenges of climate adaptation and resilience. The pilot project sought to develop holistic nature-based solutions to address climate change. The concept of teal carbon is a recent addition to the environmental science. https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/indias-first-teal-carbon-study-bets-on-wetlands-to-address-the-challenges-of-climate-adaptation-and-resilience/article68618586.ece (09 Sept. 2024)
Himachal Pradesh Rare turtle sighted in Renuka wetland In a first, the forest staff of Renuka Wildlife Range have discovered an endangered Spotted Black Pond Turtle (Geoclemys hemiltonii) at the Ramsar wetland site of Shri Renuka Ji. Also known as Hamilton’s Terrapin, this species is endemic to stagnant freshwater ecosystems within the drainage basins of Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra. Distributed through India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan, spotted pond turtles are identified by their yellow or white spots on their black heads, legs and tails. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/shimla/rare-spotted-black-pond-turtle-sighted-in-hps-renuka-wetland/articleshow/110346566.cms (23 May 2024)
Assam ₹796.88cr project to rejuvenate 129 wetlands In a bid to enhance flood resilience and increase fish production, the govt has launched a major initiative to restore 129 beels (wetlands) across 3,800 hectares. To address this, the project focuses on dredging, desilting, and constructing water-retaining structures, aiming to improve water storage capacity and create optimal conditions for fish breeding.
The initiative is being implemented using a loan from the Asian Development Bank, which will loan 80 % of the Rs 796.88 crore project, while the state govt will cover the remaining 20 %. Out of 190 beels initially identified by District Fisheries Development Officers, 129 were selected for the rejuvenation plan.
These wetlands have been geo-mapped by the Assam State Application Centre, and 22 beels have been prioritized for immediate restoration, with contract agreements expected to be signed by Feb 2025. The project will involve deepening river channels to enhance water flow, facilitating fish migration, desilting, and creating water pools to improve retention and support fish production. A feasibility study & draft Detailed Project Report have been submitted, with the final DPR to be completed by Nov 2024. https://www.thestatesman.com/india/assam-rs-796-88-cr-project-to-rejuvenate-129-wetlands- (17 Oct. 2024)
Karnataka Govt promises to activate SWA, unveils portal The SWA on Mar 5 got its own web portal aimed at keeping track of over 17,000 waterbodies with the government promising to set up a team of experts to activate the authority. Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar B Khandre said that the government has decided to recognise waterbodies spread over 2.25 hectares as wetlands. “More than 16,700 such wetlands have already been identified. We will work with the department concerned to declare them as wetlands,” he said. https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/karnataka-government-promises-to-activate-wetlands-authority-unveils-portal-2924845 (6 Mar 2024)
Tamil Nadu Villagers oppose Parandur airport project for 10th time Villagers of Ekanapuram panchayat on Nov 23 passed a resolution for the 10th time, urging the state govt to drop the Parandur Greenfield airport project, at the gram sabha meeting. The villagers said the project would lead to the loss of water bodies, including three lakes and ponds, land used for agricultural purposes and houses. They passed the resolution against the project for the 10th time as they did not get any solution to the previous resolutions passed in the gram sabha meetings. The villagers would not accept the project in any form. Many villagers raised slogans against the project. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/ekanapuram-villagers-stand-firm-against-parandur-airport-project-for-10th-time/articleshow/115607617.cms (23 Nov 2024)
Kerala KCC to act against Kottooli wetlands encroachment The Kozhikode Corp Council on Dec 21, unanimously decided to take strict action against the rampant encroachment on the Kottooli wetlands in the heart of the city, citing their ecological significance. The council also unanimously decided to appeal to the authorities concerned to relocate the Hindustan Petroleum (HP) Depot at Elathur to a safer location. The motion came in the backdrop of the recent incident in which thousands of litres of diesel leaked from the depot through the drains to reach the sea. The council noted that the consequences would have been more severe had petrol leaked and criticised depot authorities for their lack of urgency in addressing the situation, despite repeated leaks and minor fires in the past. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kozhikode-corpn-to-act-against-encroachment-on-kottooli-wetlands/article69013429.ece (21 Dec. 2024)
Action sought to halt encroachment on Kottooly wetlands The Sarovaram Mangrove and Wetland Protection Committee has urged Revenue Minister K. Rajan to take immediate action against the ongoing encroachment on the Kottooly wetlands. A mass petition, signed by around 500 people living around the wetlands, was handed over to the Minister on Jan 9 under the aegis of local councillor and chairman of the committee M.N. Praveen & convenor I.K. Biju.
The memorandum alleges extensive encroachments on wetlands near the Sarovaram Bio Park, particularly on the land occupied by the Calicut Trade Centre and a recently encroached strip behind the Markaz International School, as well as several private plots. “These encroachments, carried out day and night, pose a grave threat to the ecosystem and blatantly defy the legal system. Local residents and public representatives who question these actions face threats,” the memorandum stated. It also criticised the Revenue department for its alleged inaction against the encroachers. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/action-sought-to-halt-encroachment-on-kottooly-wetlands/article69089362.ece (11 Jan. 2025)
SANDRP 