State Wetland Authority Kerala (SWAK)
As per section 5(1) of the new Wetlands (Conservation & Management) Rules, 2017, State Government vide G.O.(Ms.) No.14/2017/Envt. dt. 28-12-2017) , has reconstituted SWAK and designated Hon’ble Minister for Environment as Chairman, the Chief Secretary to Government as Vice Chairperson and the Director of Environment and Climate Change as the Member Secretary of the newly constituted State wetland Authority.
Powers of State Wetlands Authority Kerala
- State Wetlands Authority Kerala has the power to list all wetlands and wetlands to be notified in the State
- Recommend identified wetlands based on their Brief Documents for regulation
- Carry out comprehensive digital inventorisation of all wetlands
- Develop a comprehensive list of activities to be regulated and permitted within the notified wetlands
- Define strategies for conservation and wise use of wetlands within their jurisdiction
- Rreview integrated management plan for each of the notified wetlands
- Ensure enforcement of the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules,2017
- Advise on any other matter suo-motu, or as referred by the State Government/ Union Territory Administration.
Function of State Wetlands Authority Kerala
- SWAK function as nodal authority for all wetland specific authorities within the State
- Identifies mechanisms for convergence by coordinating implementation of integrated management plans of through various line departments.
- Issue necessary directions for conservation and sustainable management of wetlands to the respective implementing agencies
- Undertake measures for enhancing awareness within stakeholders and local communities on values and functions of wetlands.
Achievements of SWAK during 2018-19
- The Ramsar Information Sheet of Sasthamkotta and Ashtamudi was successfully updated and uploaded in Ramsar website.
- Kerala State Remote Sensing and Environment Centre (KSREC) has submitted initial list of wetlands (>2.25ha) for the notification of wetlands, The same was place before SWAK Technical committee. KSREC is expediting the final list of wetlands based on the suggestions from SWAK Technical committee.
- Brief documents on wetlands namely (i) Kavvayi, (ii) Kattampally, (iii) Kadalundy, (iv) Kottuli, (v) Pookode (vi) Ponnani estuary/Purathur (vii) Chetuvai kayal, (viii) Paravur (ix) Vellayani was prepared by Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM).
- Special Assistance to Munroethuruthu Grama Panchayat - Funding from the SWAK for five years as part of the Integrated Management Action Plan (MAP) prepared for Ashtamudi Kayal Ramsar Site: 75 lakhs was released as first year’s grant.
- Two day workshop on “Environmental issues of Munroethuruthu Island and Sustainable solutions” was conducted in Kollam jointly organized by State Wetland Authority, Directorate of Environment and Climate change and Munroethuruth Panchayth on 18th & 19th February 2018.
- The State Wetland Authority Kerala had invited proposals for awareness on wetland Conservation & Management on various topics under identified thrust areas with respect to Kerala 16 organisations was selected under Awareness on Wetland Conservation and Management scheme and Rs.41.38 lakhs was released for the same.
- As part of the implementation of Management Action Plan (MAP) of 3 Ramsar wetlands-Ashtamudi lake, Sasthamkotta lake and Vembanad Kol wetlands (Funding pattern is 60% Central Share and 40% State Share). Sanction for the recruitment of staff exclusively for the implementation of MAP is still pending with government from 08.06.2018.
- Based on the minutes of the CS with secretaries held on 09.11.2018 SWAK was directed to use the fund available under the core head for the removal of waste from the Ramsar sites through the Clean Kerala Company. The modified proposal of Clean Kerala company along with the budget was send to Environment department for the approval and re-appropriating the fund allocated for the implementation of MAPs for the same. Approval from the government is still pending.
Achievements during 2019-20
Activities on the year 2020-21
Activities in the year 2021-22
