Amrit Dharohar Scheme (Wetland Conservation)

✦Key Features

• India has 85 Ramsar wetland sites (most in Asia as of 2025) — Amrit Dharohar covers all
• 75 Ramsar sites identified in Budget 2023-24 for focused conservation under Amrit Dharohar
• Community involvement: Wetland Mitra for each Ramsar site
• Biodiversity conservation plan for each site; invasive species removal
• Eco-tourism development: birdwatching, nature trails, boat tourism at wetlands
• Wetland cells in all state forest departments linked with central programme
• India added 26 new Ramsar sites in one year (2022) — largest single-year addition globally

✓Eligibility Criteria

• Local communities and self-help groups residing in the vicinity of Ramsar sites.
• State Governments and Union Territory administrations responsible for wetland management.
• Implementing agencies focused on biodiversity conservation and eco-tourism.
• Youth and nature enthusiasts involved in environmental stewardship programs.

★Benefits

• Systemic outcomes including the long-term conservation of wetland biodiversity and ecosystem services.
• Creation of sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities through eco-tourism.
• Enhancement of carbon sequestration potential of wetlands to mitigate climate change effects.
• Establishment of nature-based education and research centers at important wetland sites.

▶Application Process

• State Wetland Authorities identify specific conservation and livelihood projects for designated Ramsar sites.
• Proposals are submitted to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for technical evaluation.
• Approved projects are integrated with existing schemes like MGNREGS for resource mobilization.
• The implementation progress is monitored through periodic reports and site inspections.

₹ Budget Allocation

75

Funding Ratio (Centre:State): Implemented through convergence and MoEFCC budget; primarily Central Sector.

Historical Context

Announced in the Union Budget 2023-24 to mark the 'Amrit Kaal' and celebrate India's achievement of having the largest number of Ramsar sites in South Asia (75).

Challenges

• Balancing tourism influx with the ecological carrying capacity of fragile wetlands
• Competition from industrial and urban land use demands
• Invasive species (like Water Hyacinth) impacting wetland health
• Inconsistent data on carbon sequestration potential across different sites

Reforms & Recommendations

• Institutionalize 'Wetland Mitras' with honorariums for long-term engagement
• Strict regulatory mapping to prevent urban encroachment on Ramsar buffer zones
• Scientific periodic carbon-stock assessments to link with carbon markets

Performance Statistics

SDG Linkages

Constitutional Backing

Technology Used

Success Stories

Key Takeaways

• Covers 75 Ramsar sites
• Promotes 'Wise Use' of wetlands
• Focus on Nature Tourism and Livelihoods
• Enhances carbon sinks and biodiversity

Convergence Schemes

• MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes)
• Swadesh Darshan
• MGNREGS (for desilting and restoration work)

Sector Tags