14th Biennial Lake Conference in Moodbidri

The 14th annual Lake Conference was held in Moodbidri October 17–20, 2024. Date: The event was themed around "Lake 2024: wetlands for human wellbeing." This symposium raised urgent ecological issues, and was jointly coordinated by the Wetlands Research Group at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru and Alva's Education Foundation. It ended with a call to action in key ecological regions that the government should be responding to.

Panchayts Based on Eco-Sensitivity and Biodiversity

• Notify ecologically sensitive panchayats to improve ecosystem health by Full Protection.
• Need to have oversight over Gram Panchayat Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) to ensure resource management and health of ecosystem.

Multi-Step Strategy for Enhancement

• State Biodiversity Boards should need to implement a phased program that augments the existing effectiveness of the acting on biodiversity.
• Introduce GEP(Gross Ecosystem Product) as a measure of the contribution of Nature to Society.

State of Natural Capital Assessment

• The establishment of a natural capital accounting framework is essential to enable the integration of ecological benefits in government evaluations.

Water Management

• Western Ghats has an important role of the water bank for the Indian peninsula.

Hydro-Centric Approach of Development

• All water bodies and their catchments shall be under strict protection.

Western Ghats Task Force Formation

• Each peninsular Indian State should constitute a task force to manage NRM.

Documentation and Protection at Local Level

• Ecosystem documentation locally (water bodies, sacred groves and myristica swamps)