Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Environment Congress has suggested that an institutional mechanism be put in place in the State to ensure the sustainable use of wetlands considering their strategic significance.

The third edition of the three-day Congress, which concluded here on Thursday, in its `Thiruvananthapuram Declaration,' recommended that the wetlands be brought under a statutory board with representatives of people and stakeholders as members.

These boards should be given the responsibility for the implementation of the Management Action Plan (MAP) for wetlands of international and national importance as declared by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests.

The existing steering committee of the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) should be reconstituted to include stakeholders of wetlands of importance in the State.

The KSCSTE should institute fellowships and scholarships to promote action research programmes on wetlands taking into account the economic, environmental and strategic significance of wetland resources. Steps were also mooted to develop a MAP for the conservation of Vellayani freshwater lake and to bring it under the category of national, international wetlands of importance considering the shortage of drinking water in the city and suburbs. The Union Government will be approached to sanction MAP.

The declaration also urged the Government to probe the possibility of mobilising more funds to implement a MAP for Vemabanad Kole wetlands. Kadalundy, known for mangroves, also requires a MAP and the same should be taken up with the Ministry.

The Centre for Environment and Development was asked to take further steps for the realisation of the declaration. Observation of `Edavapathy day' as `Wetlands Day of Kerala' could a good beginning, it said.

The congress also resolved to request the Government to declare select important wetlands of the State as `Community Conservation Reserves' as per the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

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