In a significant step for wetland conservation, the Kerala government has constituted the Ashtamudi Wetland Management Unit (AWMU), following directives from the state high court. The newly formed unit, chaired by the Kollam district collector, comprises 30 members, including secretaries of 12 local self-government bodies and representatives from key departments such as tourism, fisheries, forests, pollution control, and biodiversity.
The establishment of the AWMU comes after years of litigation over the management and protection of the Ashtamudi wetland, a designated Ramsar site, underlining the challenges in implementing ecological governance frameworks in rapidly urbanising regions. The court had initially ordered the creation of a management unit in July 2025, citing the need for a coordinated approach to safeguard the wetland ecosystem and its surrounding communities.The unit’s chief executive officer will function as the convenor and member secretary, tasked with coordinating interdepartmental actions, monitoring ecological health, and implementing conservation measures. Officials emphasise that the AWMU is expected to balance environmental preservation with local livelihoods, particularly in fishing and tourism sectors, which depend heavily on wetland resources.
Despite this formalisation, critical components of the court’s original directives remain pending. These include the finalisation of an integrated management plan and the development of an interim strategy to guide the unit’s operations. The high court has scheduled a follow-up hearing on January 22 to assess compliance on these fronts. Environmental law experts note that without actionable plans, even well-intentioned governance structures may struggle to deliver meaningful conservation outcomes.Urban planners and ecologists point out that the move signals an increasing recognition of wetlands as critical infrastructure in urban and peri-urban ecosystems. Ashtamudi plays a crucial role in flood mitigation, groundwater recharge, and biodiversity conservation, while supporting local economic activities. Properly managed, the wetland can act as a model for integrating ecological resilience into urban planning in Kerala’s coastal districts.
The formation of the AWMU also reflects broader pressures on municipal and state authorities to institutionalise climate-sensitive governance frameworks. Experts suggest that similar approaches could be applied to other Ramsar sites in the state, where urban expansion, industrial development, and tourism have historically placed wetlands under stress.For local residents and stakeholders, the unit’s effectiveness will depend on transparency, inter-agency coordination, and enforcement of regulations. Analysts highlight that proactive community engagement, real-time monitoring, and clear operational guidelines are essential for translating the court-mandated framework into tangible ecological and social benefits.
