Recently the Global Wetland Outlook 2025 was  released by the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention.

About Global Wetland Outlook (GWO)

• GWO is a periodic assessment that provides insights into the condition, trends, and challenges facing wetlands globally.

Key Highlights of the GWO 2025

• Global Distribution of Wetland : Globally, wetlands cover between 1,425 and 1,800 million hectares, which constitutes around 6% of the Earth’s surface.
• Degradation Trends: Since 1970, approximately 411 million hectares of wetlands have been lost worldwide, representing a 22% decline in global wetland extent.
• Key Drivers: Unplanned urbanisation, rapid industrial growth, and infrastructure development are the leading causes of wetland loss in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
• Regional Threats: While drought is the primary threat in Europe, invasive species dominate in North America and Oceania, showing region-specific pressures on wetland health.
• Economic Link: The condition of wetlands correlates with a country’s income.
  • African wetlands, valued at USD 825.7 billion, are in poorer states compared to global standards.

About Wetland Degradation

• Wetland degradation refers to the decline in the ecological health and function of wetland ecosystems due to human or natural pressures, leading to biodiversity loss, reduced water quality, and diminished ecosystem services.

Factors Responsible for Wetland Degradation

• Africa and Asia: Rapid urbanisation and unregulated industrial and infrastructure development are the primary drivers of wetland degradation.
• Europe: Prolonged drought conditions are the leading cause of wetland loss and ecological deterioration.
• North America and Oceania: Invasive species have emerged as the most significant threats to wetland ecosystems.
• Other Factors: Across the globe, additional factors such as agricultural expansion, water diversion, pollution, dam construction, climate change, encroachment, and unsustainable tourism contribute heavily to wetland degradation.

Global Initiatives for Wetland Conservation

• Ramsar Convention : The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty adopted in 1971 for the conservation and wise use of wetlands, with India becoming a contracting party in 1982.
  • As of July 2025, India has 91 Ramsar sites, including Khichan in Phalodi and Menar in Udaipur, Rajasthan added on Environment Day 2025.
• Montreux Record: The Montreux Record is a register maintained under the Ramsar Convention that lists wetlands facing threats to their ecological character
  • India has two wetlands on this list  Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Loktak Lake (Manipur).
• Conference of the Contracting Parties (COPs): The 15th meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP15) to the Ramsar Convention is scheduled to be held in Zimbabwe to further discuss global wetland conservation priorities.
• Other Initiatives: 
• • The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) promotes the protection of inland water ecosystems.
  • The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goals 6, 13, and 15, reinforce the need for wetland conservation.

India’s Initiatives for Wetland Conservation

• Wetland Policy : India has implemented the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, to provide legal protection to wetlands.
• National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA): It is a centrally sponsored scheme, which offers financial and technical assistance to state governments for the conservation of wetlands and lakes.
  • State Wetland Authorities oversee site-specific conservation at the state level under guidance from the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
• Amrit Dharohar Scheme: Announced in the Union Budget 2023–24, it promotes conservation of Ramsar sites through community-based approaches.
• Part of Namami Gange Programme : Wetland restoration projects are also being implemented under the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) in river basin areas.

Recommendations

• Investment in Conservation: There is an urgent need for increased public and private investment in wetland restoration and conservation initiatives.
• Collaboration: Regional and cross-border cooperation must be enhanced to enable knowledge sharing, technology transfer, and coordinated conservation strategies.
• Better Assessment: National accounting systems should be reformed to include the economic value of ecosystem services provided by wetlands.
• Natural Solution: Promoting nature-based solutions can help build climate resilience and ensure long-term sustainability of wetland ecosystems.

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