Government is working on a plan to open a University on Environment and Sustainablity. Minister of Forest and Environment Jairam Ramesh announced it during a function at IGNOU.

“The Ministry is in the process of mapping all wetlands in the country and there are plans to open a in the near future ,” the Minister said. He also said that the ministry will notify regulations for protection of wetlands in the country in the next two-three months. The Draft guidelines have already been released for the purpose.

The Environment and Forest Minister also launched IGNOU’s “Appreciation Programme on Sustainable Management of Wetlands” on the occassion. The programme has been developed by IGNOU’s Chair for Sustainable Development (CSD), headed by the eminent agricultural scientist, Prof. M.S. Swaminathan.

He said that conserving wetlands should assume the role of a ‘People’s Movement’, so that people can lead better lives, right now. Most of the wetlands in the country are being lost for more highways, sewage and dumping grounds. About 10 percent of India is covered by wetlands. 25 percent of the bird population lives here. Unfortunately, wetlands are getting degraded fast due to man-made and natural causes. Yet, most people don’t know what wetlands are and why they are important, said the minister.