Recently, the suo motu public interest litigation by the Meghalaya High Court to monitor the conservation of wetlands in the State brings the focus back on Wetland Conservation.

About Wetlands

• Definition: A wetland is an ecosystem where land remains saturated with water for most or all of the year.
  • Examples: Marshes, swamps, bogs, and mangroves. 

• Types: Wetlands can be of the following types:
  • Inland Wetlands: Lakes, rivers, floodplains, marshes, swamps, bogs, and seasonal wetlands.
  • Coastal Wetlands: Mangroves, estuaries, lagoons, mudflats, coral reefs, and salt marshes.
  • Artificial Wetlands: Reservoirs, canals, rice paddies, salt pans, and constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment.

Key Characteristics of Wetlands

• Water Presence: Can be permanent or seasonal, with surface or groundwater.
• Hydric Soils: Saturated soils with low oxygen levels, rich in organic matter.
• Specialized Vegetation: These areas support unique plant and animal species adapted to waterlogged conditions. 
  • Example: reeds, sedges, and mangroves etc.
• Biodiversity Hotspots: Home to diverse species of fish, amphibians, birds, and mammals.
• Ecological Role: Helps in flood control, water purification, carbon storage, and climate regulation.

Significance of Wetlands

• Ecosystem Services: Wetlands provide critical services such as water purification, flood control, carbon sequestration, and habitat for biodiversity.
  • They cover 12.1 million km² globally and contribute 40.6% of global ecosystem services.
• Economic and Social Security: They support livelihoods, agriculture, fisheries, and tourism, contributing significantly to economic and social well-being.
  • Example: Events like the floods in Kashmir Valley and Chennai, as well as cyclones like Kalinga, underscore the importance of preserving wetlands for community resilience.
• Climate Change Mitigation: Wetlands act as both carbon sinks and sources, playing a vital role in climate regulation.

Global Initiatives and Frameworks

• Ramsar Convention: The Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands  and their resources.
  • Central to the Ramsar philosophy is the “wise use” of wetlands.
  • Wise use: Maintenance of ecological character within the context of sustainable development.
• The Montreux Record is a register of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of International Importance where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution or other human interference. 
  • It is maintained as part of the Ramsar List.
• Global Wetland Outlook (GWO):  is a report by the Ramsar Convention that provides an assessment of the state of wetlands worldwide. 
  • It highlights trends, challenges, and conservation efforts needed to protect these critical ecosystems.
• COP14 Highlights: The 2022 Ramsar COP14 stressed the need to align wetland conservation with global biodiversity targets, climate change frameworks, and ecosystem restoration initiatives.
• Interlinkages: Wetland conservation is linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement, and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

Wetland Conservation in India

• Ramsar Sites: India has designated 89 Ramsar sites (as on 2nd February, 2025), covering 1.33 million hectares (8% of the total wetland area).
• Decline in Natural Wetlands: Natural wetlands have decreased by 30% over the last four decades due to urbanization, pollution, and infrastructure development.
  • India’s natural wetlands (66.6%) are declining, while man-made wetlands are increasing.
• Alarming Wetland Loss in India: Despite the introduction of the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules in 2010 and their revision in 2017, India’s wetlands continue to degrade at an alarming rate.
  • Mumbai lost 71% of its wetlands between 1970 and 2014.
  • East Kolkata wetlands shrunk by 36% from 1991 to 2021.
  • Chennai lost 85% of its wetlands, as per a WWF study.

Challenges in Wetland Conservation

• Development Pressures: Urbanization, industrialization, and agricultural expansion are major drivers of wetland degradation.
  • Wetland conservation is often not integrated into broader development plans.
• Climate Change: Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and sea-level rise exacerbate wetland loss.
• Governance Issues: Lack of integrated management and weak enforcement of conservation policies hinder effective wetland protection.
• Limited Awareness: The ecological and economic value of wetlands is often underestimated, leading to their neglect in development planning.

Strategies for Effective Wetland Management

• Adopt an ecosystem-based approach as recommended by Ramsar COP14:
  • Example: Maintain natural water flows, prevent encroachments, and regulate land-use changes, Safeguard native species, control invasive species etc.
• Protect Small and Seasonal Wetlands: There is a critical need to protect smaller and seasonal wetlands at their highest flood level by documenting their maximum spread during monsoons in official records.
  • Example: Bengaluru’s disappearing wetlands due to urban expansion highlight the need for official recognition and protection of seasonal wetlands.
• Enhance Monitoring & Governance: Use satellite data for tracking, improve interdepartmental coordination, and involve local communities.
  • Example: The Chilika Lake monitoring system uses remote sensing and community participation to track ecosystem health.
• Promote Nature-Based Solutions: Restore degraded wetlands, use them for wastewater treatment, and integrate blue-green infrastructure.
  • Incorporate wetland conservation into climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.
  • Example: Mangrove restoration in the Sundarbans acts as a buffer against cyclones and rising sea levels.
• Boost Community Participation: Provide livelihood incentives, promote eco-tourism, and increase public awareness.
  • Example: The Loktak Lake fishermen’s cooperative in Manipur balances wetland conservation with sustainable fishing practices.
• Leverage Science & Technology: Use geospatial tools for Comprehensive Mapping and Monitoring of wetland changes and prioritize conservation efforts.
  • Example: The National Wetland Decadal Change Atlas, crafted by the Space Applications Centre (SAC) in Ahmedabad, offers valuable insights into the dynamic changes occurring in wetlands across the country over the past decade.
• Economic Valuation: Assess the economic value of wetland ecosystem services to highlight their importance in decision-making.

Conclusion

Wetlands are essential for sustainability. Protecting them through integrated planning, innovation, and global cooperation is key to development and climate resilience.

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