Wetlands, often referred to as the earth’s kidneys, are among the most productive ecosystems, providing critical ecosystem services such as water purification, flood control, and carbon sequestration. Globally, wetlands cover 6% of the Earth’s land surface and support 40% of the world’s species, as per the Ramsar Convention. However, since 1970, 35% of global wetland areas have been lost due to human activities like urbanization, agriculture, and pollution. Wetland Conservation in India
In India, wetlands are equally vital but face similar threats. The National Wetland Decadal Change Atlas (2017-18) reveals that India has 27,403 wetlands, covering 18.4% of the country’s area. Despite their ecological and economic significance, wetlands are disappearing at an alarming rate of 2-3% annually, with 50% of India’s wetlands already lost.
What is the present status of wetlands?
| Global Scenario | Wetlands are declining at a rate of (-)0.78% annually, with 81% of inland wetland species and 36% of coastal species experiencing population declines since 1970, as per the Wetland Extent Trends (WET) index. Since 1900, 50% of global wetland area has been lost, with a decline of 35% between 1970 and 2015. |
| Indian Context | 1. India has 89 Ramsar sites (wetlands of international importance), covering 1.34 million hectares. However, this represents only a fraction of the total wetland area. 2. Wetlands cover 18.4% of India’s land area (excluding rivers); 70% of these are used for paddy cultivation. 3. The coastal wetlands span 6,750 sq. km, with “mangrove ecosystems” concentrated in Sundarbans, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Odisha, and Gujarat. 4. Southern peninsular wetlands are largely man-made reservoirs, locally known as Yeris (tanks), essential for water storage and biodiversity conservation. 5. 50% of India’s wetlands have been lost due to encroachment, land-use change, and pollution. E.g. Pallikaranai Marsh and East Kolkata Wetlands have shrunk drastically due to urbanization. 6. The Wildlife Institute of India reports that 70-80% of freshwater marshes in the Gangetic floodplains have been lost in the last five decades. 7. Urban areas like Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata have lost 71%, 85%, and 36% of their wetlands, respectively, due to urbanization and pollution. 8. Indian mangrove areas have shrunk from 700,000 hectares in 1987 to 453,000 hectares in 1995, with only 4,000 sq. km remaining today, as per remote sensing data. |
What is the significance of Wetlands?
1. Ecological Importance: Wetlands are biological supermarkets, supporting a wide range of species, nutrient cycling, hydrological regulation and habitat heterogeneity. Also, it acts as carbon sinks, mitigating climate change by sequestering carbon. They also support biodiversity, hosting 40% of the world’s species, as per the Ramsar Convention. E.g. the Sundarbans, a Ramsar site, is home to the endangered Bengal tiger and acts as a natural barrier against cyclones.
2. Economic Value: Wetlands contribute significantly to livelihoods. The East Kolkata Wetlands treat wastewater and support fisheries, generating an estimated $100 million annually.
3. Climate Resilience: Wetlands act as carbon sinks, sequestering carbon and mitigating climate change. They also regulate floods and droughts, providing “nature-based solutions” for climate adaptation.
4. Cultural & Recreational Value: Wetlands like Chilika Lake, Loktak Lake, and Wular Lake have spiritual, tourism, and aesthetic value.
5. Wetlands as Natural Disaster Buffers: Economic Survey (2020-21) recognizes wetland conservation as a Nature-Based Solution (NbS). Mangrove forests reduce storm surge heights by up to 50% (World Bank, 2021).
What progress has been made so far in wetland conservation?
1. Policy Framework: India is a signatory to the Ramsar Convention (1971) and has designated 85 Ramsar sites. The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, provide a legal framework for wetland conservation. The National Committee on Wetlands, Mangroves, and Coral Reefs has identified 93 wetlands for priority conservation.
2. Government Initiative: National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA), ₹900 crore allocated. AMRUT 2.0 (2021), focus on “urban blue-green infrastructure” for wetlands. Namami Gange Programme, wetland rejuvenation along the Ganga River Basin.
3. Judicial Interventions: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Meghalaya High Court have emphasized the need for wetland conservation through suo motu PILs and directives.
4. Global Initiatives: Ramsar COP14 (2022) in Wuhan & Geneva highlighted the need to link wetland conservation with global sustainability goals, including the SDGs, IPCC targets, and UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, Global Biodiversity Framework.
What are the Challenges in wetland conservation?
1. Urbanization and Land Use Change: Urban expansion has led to the loss of wetlands in cities like Mumbai and Chennai. The National Wetland Decadal Change Atlas shows a decline in natural wetlands due to infrastructure development.
2. Pollution: Industrial effluents and untreated sewage have degraded wetlands like the Bellandur Lake in Bengaluru, which famously caught fire due to pollution.
3. Climate Change: Rising temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns threaten wetland ecosystems. For example, the Sundarbans face salinity intrusion due to sea-level rise.
4. Lack of Awareness and Governance: Weak enforcement of conservation laws and limited public awareness hinder effective wetland management.
5. Biodiversity Decline: 81% of inland wetland species populations have declined since 1970 (WWF, 2022).
What is the Way Forward?
1. Integrated Management: Adopt an ecosystem-based approach to wetland management, as advocated during the Ramsar COP14. Integrate wetland conservation into urban planning and development policies.
2. Strengthening Legal Frameworks: Amend the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, to include stricter penalties for violations. Ratify and implement global agreements like the ILO’s Recommendation 204 on transitioning to sustainable ecosystems.
3. Community Participation: Engage local communities in wetland conservation through programs like Community-Based Resource Management (CBRM). Promote eco-tourism to generate livelihoods while conserving wetlands.
4. Technological Interventions: Use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing for real-time monitoring of wetlands. Develop blue-green infrastructure in urban areas to restore wetland ecosystems.
5. International Best Practices: Learn from the Netherlands’ Room for the River Program, which integrates wetlands into flood management. Adopt China’s Sponge Cities Initiative, which uses wetlands for urban water management.
6. Financial Mechanisms: Allocate funds for wetland conservation in the Union Budget and State Budgets. Leverage international funding mechanisms like the Green Climate Fund (GCF). Wetland Conservation Bonds to raise funds for restoration.
Conclusion
Wetlands are not just ecological assets but are vital for “ecological, economic, and social security.” As the Ramsar Convention aptly states, “Wetlands are essential for a sustainable future.” The Meghalaya High Court’s intervention and the Ramsar COP14’s emphasis on integrating wetlands into global development agendas underscore the urgency of mainstreaming wetland conservation.
India must adopt a holistic approach, combining legal, technological, and community-driven strategies, to conserve its wetlands. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “The earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.” Let us strive to protect our wetlands, ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
| Read more– The Hindu UPSC Syllabus- GS 3– Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment. |
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