Bhubaneswar, Feb 2 (IANS): Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Monday said the state government was preparing a comprehensive management plan for 17 important wetlands in the state.

"Comprehensive management plans for 17 important wetlands of the state are under preparation. The services of Wetlands International are commissioned by the Odisha Wetland Development Authority (OWDA) for formulation of comprehensive management plans of important wetlands of the state," said Patnaik on the occasion of World Wetlands Day here.

He said necessary funding support was being provided to the OWDA for implementation of the management plans from the state budget.

Informing that Odisha was the first state in the country to constitute a wetlands development authority, he said other states were emulating the model of Odisha for restoration and management of wetlands.

The chief minister said wetlands were indispensable for the host of ecosystem services that they provide to humanity, ranging from fresh water supply, food and building materials and biodiversity to flood control, ground water recharge and climate change mitigation.