India Highlights its Leadership in Wetlands Conservation at COP15 in Zimbabwe

India’s Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Mr Bhupender Yadav, is leading the Indian delegation at the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP15) to the Ramsar Convention being held at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, from 23rd July to 31st July 2025.

Addressing the event, Mr Yadav highlighted India’s contribution to global wetlands conservation, informing that India has 91 Ramsar Sites (1.36 million ha), which is the largest network in Asia and the third-largest globally. The last addition in June 2025, two wetlands in Rajasthan, made it to the Ramsar list of wetlands of international importance.

Mr Yadav highlighted this achievement during his intervention on ‘Strengthening Policy and Legal Frameworks by Mainstreaming Wetlands Conservation’ at the High Level Ministerial Segment of COP15. 

In his address, Mr Yadav stated, “Over the past decade, we have expanded this network by 250 per cent. For the first time, two Indian cities—Udaipur and Indore—have been accredited as Wetland Cities, showing our commitment to urban wetlands.”

Referring to India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message of “Oneness with Nature” and “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”,  Mr Yadav highlighted the active participation of communities through initiatives like ‘Mission LiFE’ and ‘Ek ped Maa ke naam’.

These initiatives, he stated, supplement efforts in nature protection, conservation of wetland flora and fauna, and abating land degradation and soil erosion. The Minister invited all to plant a tree in the name of their mother and advised adopting the Mission LiFE, i.e. environment-friendly lifestyle.

Aligned with this, India’s ‘Save Wetlands Campaign’ have mobilised more than 2 million citizens, resulting in the ground-truthing of over 170,000 wetlands and the boundary demarcation of nearly 100,000 wetlands across the country.

The Minister emphasised that wetland conservation in India is deeply rooted in constitutional, legal, and policy frameworks. The Indian Constitution encapsulate this spirit by mandating the State and citizens to protect and conserve the environment and to safeguard forests and wildlife. Conservation of wetlands has been mainstreamed in India’s sectoral plans and programmes, including the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and National Wildlife Action Plan.

Highlighting the UNEA Resolution 6/8 on sustainable lifestyles, the Minister emphasised the mainstreaming of sustainable lifestyles in India’s policy and programmes, including the conservation of wetlands.

During the visit, the Minister also engaged in bilateral meetings with the heads of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES), Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, and the Convention on  Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS).

A meeting was also held with Zimbabwe Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Dr. Evelyn Ndlovu, to advance cooperation on wetland restoration and knowledge exchange. 

The Minister further highlighted the importance of India’s Global Environmental Initiatives to advance climate action and biodiversity conservation through international partnerships, such as the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), International Solar Alliance (ISA), and Sustainable Lifestyles and requested to join these international initiatives. 

The Ramsar COP15 brings together 172 Contracting Parties, International Organisation Partners, scientific institutions, civil society, and community representatives to agree on work programme and budgetary arrangements for the next triennium and consider guidance on a range of ongoing and emerging environmental issues.

India’s active participation at COP15 underscores its unwavering commitment to wetlands conservation, climate leadership, and advancing the principles of ecological sustainability and intergenerational equity.