HNLU Raipur to Host Online Workshop Marking 50 Years of Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

January 31, 2026 : Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), Raipur will organise an online workshop on 2 February 2026 to mark 50 years of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, one of the world’s earliest and most significant environmental treaties. The session, scheduled from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm, will focus on wetland conservation in global and Indian contexts, with special emphasis on Chhattisgarh’s first Ramsar site, the Kopra Reservoir (Kopra Jalashay).

The year 2026 marks five decades since the Ramsar Convention came into force in 1976, promoting the conservation and wise use of wetlands worldwide. Wetlands are among the most productive yet vulnerable ecosystems, playing a crucial role in biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, water security, and sustainable livelihoods. India has been a contracting party to the Convention since 1982 and has steadily strengthened its wetland governance through constitutional mandates, environmental jurisprudence, statutory frameworks, and policy initiatives.

The designation of the Kopra Reservoir as Chhattisgarh’s first Ramsar site is seen as a major milestone for the state. It also serves as an important case study in decentralised wetland governance, community participation, and coordination among government departments. The workshop aims to provide participants with a legal, scientific, and policy-oriented understanding of wetlands, the Ramsar Convention, and its implementation in India and Chhattisgarh.

The programme is being organised by HNLU’s Centre for Law and Sciences and the Centre for Environmental Laws, in collaboration with Wetlands International, the Chhattisgarh State Wetland Authority, and the Chhattisgarh State Biodiversity Board. Dr. Ritesh Kumar, Director of Wetlands International South Asia, and Mr. Pratik Verma, Legal Advisor to the Chhattisgarh State Biodiversity Board and State Wetland Authority, will serve as resource persons.

The workshop is open to students, faculty members, policymakers, environmental officials, researchers, and civil society stakeholders. Participation is free of cost, and registered participants who attend the full session and successfully complete an online assessment will receive an e-certificate of completion. The event aims to build capacity, raise awareness of India’s Ramsar obligations, and encourage informed engagement with wetland conservation at both policy and community levels.