What is Wetland City Accreditation (WCA) Scheme?
- A voluntary system under the Ramsar Convention to acknowledge cities conserving urban and peri-urban wetlands, introduced in 2015.
- Aim: To enhance the conservation and sustainable utilization of urban and peri-urban wetlands, providing socio-economic benefits for local communities.
- Accreditation criteria: The Operational Guidance for WCA of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands includes six international criteria a city must meet to qualify.
- Significance for India:
- Allows cities to gain international recognition for wetland protection efforts.
- Raises public awareness about urban wetland conservation.
- Supports nationwide implementation of the Amrit Dharohar initiative by MoEF&CC.