HITO calls on govt to implement Ramsar Convention for state’s wetland protection

SHILLONG, April 17: The Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation (HITO) has called upon the Meghalaya government to urgently implement the Ramsar Convention for wetland protection, stressing that the state’s ecologically significant water bodies require immediate conservation measures.
In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, HITO president Donbok Dkhar said the absence of any Ramsar-designated site in Meghalaya reflects a serious gap in policy and action, despite the state’s rich natural resources.
“The need to implement the Ramsar Convention in Meghalaya is both urgent and necessary to safeguard our wetlands, which are vital for biodiversity, water regulation and climate resilience,” Dkhar said.
He noted that the Ramsar Convention, adopted in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, is the only global treaty dedicated to the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. India, which became a signatory in 1982, currently has 98 Ramsar sites, including Chilika Lake in Odisha and Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan—both among the first to be recognised as wetlands of international importance.
In the Northeast, Assam and Tripura have secured Ramsar status for Deepor Beel and Rudrasagar Lake respectively.
Dkhar said the gap in policy and action in Meghalaya is largely due to a lack of political will and administrative focus on wetland conservation.
He said the ongoing agitation, led by the Green-Tech Foundation to protect the Lumpongdeng Island, highlights growing concern over ecological degradation and the urgent need for government intervention.
“We strongly believe that the government must take decisive steps to secure Ramsar site status for important wetlands in Meghalaya, particularly Umiam and Nongkhyllem, to ensure their long-term protection,” he said.
He urged authorities to identify and propose additional wetlands for inclusion under the Ramsar framework to preserve their ecological integrity.
Emphasising the broader significance of wetlands, Dkhar said they play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity, supporting livelihoods, regulating water systems and mitigating climate change impacts.
“Protecting these ecosystems is not only an environmental necessity but also a moral obligation to ensure that future generations inherit a healthy and sustainable environment,” he added.
HITO expressed the hope that the state government would respond positively and take concrete steps to implement the convention and strengthen wetland conservation efforts in Meghalaya.