Udaipur: From the city of lakes to India's first wetland city?

The Rajasthan govt is vying to make Udaipur the country’s first wetland city. The environment and forest dept has chosen the city as per the Ramsar Convention of International Importance.

Spanning over 37 sq km, Udaipur fulfills all the necessary criteria for its designation as a wetland city.

As per the Ramsar Convention, a wetland is internationally important if it showcases a unique natural wetland type within its region and supports at-risk species or ecological communities.

Besides Udaipur, Bhopal is also in the race for the wetland city tag, a distinction held by only a few cities worldwide.

Surrounded by five major lakes, Udaipur is already included in the restoration project of the National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) of the central government.

The state environment dept is forwarding the nomination to the Ramsar Convention in order to have it recognized as an internationally acclaimed standard.

Currently, there are 42 wetland cities spread across 17 countries worldwide,with China boasting the highest number at 13 cities.