Mandi wetland panel reviews draft plan for Rewalsar Lake conservation

A meeting of the District Wetland Committee was held yesterday under the chairmanship of Mandi DC Apoorv Devgan at the DC Office. The primary agenda of the meeting was an in-depth discussion on the draft framework of the Rewalsar lake Wetland Management Plan, aimed at ensuring the conservation and sustainable development of the lake.

The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Gursimar Singh, Balh SDM Smritika Negi, Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Vasu Doegar and officials from the Forest, Jal Shakti (Water Resources), Tourism, Pollution Control Board and Town Planning departments.

During the meeting, DC Apoorv Devgan emphasised that the conservation of Rewalsar lake requires not only coordinated efforts among government departments but also active participation from the local community. He directed all departments to work in close coordination and invited suggestions from all stakeholders to further strengthen and improve the plan. “Government efforts alone are not sufficient. Local community involvement is critical to the success of this initiative,” he added.

Experts presenting the draft plan highlighted that Rewalsar lake is a natural wetland known for its rich biodiversity, religious significance and cultural heritage. The lake is a sacred site for Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist communities, attracting thousands of tourists and pilgrims from across India and abroad each year.

Given its ecological and cultural importance, the experts stressed the urgent need for a comprehensive and long-term management plan to preserve the environmental balance of the lake and prevent unscientific development around it. The current draft marks the first phase of an upcoming five-year integrated management plan.

This plan will be submitted through the Himachal Pradesh State Wetland Authority to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, for necessary approval and implementation support.

The meeting concluded with a call for collaborative action and timely input from all concerned departments and stakeholders to ensure the success of the conservation initiative.