A recent suo motu case in Meghalaya highlights wetland conservation challenges in India, emphasizing their ecological importance and the need for stronger protection measures

Significance of Wetlands

• Supporting Biodiversity: Wetlands support biodiversity, regulate water cycles, and act as carbon sinks.
• Area: Cover 12.1 million km² (~6% of Earth’s surface).
• Ecosystem Services: Contribute to 40.6% of global ecosystem services (e.g., flood control, water purification, climate mitigation). Provide critical habitat for diverse species.

Wetland Conservation Efforts

• Ramsar Convention (1971): International treaty for wetland conservation & sustainable use.
• World Wetlands Day (Feb 2): Raises awareness of wetland preservation.
• 2023 Theme: “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future” (aligned with Brundtland Report, 1987).

Threats to Wetlands

• Human Activities: Population growth, urbanization, industrialization, land demand.
• Climate Change: Rising temperatures, altered rainfall patterns.
• Wetland Loss:
  • 50% of wetlands lost since 1900 due to human intervention.
  • 35% decline between 1970-2015 (higher than the rate of natural vegetation loss).
  • 81% inland & 36% coastal wetland species have declined since 1970.

Global Conservation Initiatives

• Integration with Global Strategies: Wetland conservation is now seen as essential for sustainable development. 
  • The 14th Conference of the Parties (COP14) of the Ramsar Convention (2022) emphasized linking wetland protection to broader environmental policies.
• Key International Linkages
  • Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Wetlands contribute to water security, biodiversity, and climate resilience.
  • Global Biodiversity Targets: Protecting wetlands helps meet biodiversity conservation goals.
  • UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration: Wetlands are critical ecosystems targeted for restoration.
  • Climate Change Mitigation: Wetlands act as carbon sinks and help in flood control.
• Post-COVID : Increased awareness of biodiversity loss and climate change after the pandemic. There is a need for immediate and coordinated actions to prevent further wetland degradation.
• Ramsar Strategic Plan: Strengthening policies for sustainable wetland management. Aligning wetland conservation efforts with global environmental sustainability goals.

Status of Wetlands in India

• Wetland Coverage: India, as a signatory to the Ramsar Convention, has designated 89 Ramsar sites as wetlands of international importance. 
  • These wetlands span diverse ecosystems, including coastal regions, river stretches (e.g., Upper Ganga), and Himalayan territories. 
  • However, Ramsar designation does not guarantee protection, as degradation continues due to urbanization and encroachment.
• Extent: According to the National Wetland Decadal Change Atlas (2017-18) wetlands in India cover approximately 15.98 million hectares. 66.6% are natural wetlands, while the rest are man-made
• Shrinking of Wetlands: 30% of India’s natural wetlands have been lost in the past four decades. Major urban centres have suffered severe wetland losses:
  • Mumbai: 71% lost (1970-2014).
  • East Kolkata Wetlands: 36% lost (1991-2021).
  • Chennai: 85% lost (WWF study).
• Impact: A study in Cali, Colombia, estimated that wetland loss results in economic losses of $76,827 per hectare annually in urban areas and $30,354 per hectare annually in peri-urban areas.

Way Forward

• Focus on Ecological Aspects: Most management initiatives in India address ecological and environmental concerns but lack a holistic approach. Studies are limited to major wetlands, neglecting smaller but ecologically significant ones.
• Global Perspective: International efforts emphasize wetland distribution, characterization, and human impact assessments. There is a need to prioritize wetlands for conservation based on scientific evaluations.
• Comprehensive Approach: Wetlands provide ecological, economic, and social security through various ecosystem services. 
  • Land use changes, urban encroachments, and catchment area modifications impact wetland health. 
  • Governance structures must be evaluated to improve conservation efforts.
• Monitoring: Wetlands act as carbon sinks but also emit carbon under certain conditions. Continuous monitoring of wetland carbon dynamics is essential

Conclusion

The current approach is inadequate to address emerging threats. A comprehensive, ecosystem-based strategy must be adopted. Wetland conservation should be mainstreamed into development planning, as emphasized in Ramsar COP14.

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