Conservation of Wetlands

Wetlands are crucial ecosystems providing diverse services, contributing significantly to ecological, economic, and social security. The Meghalaya High Court recently initiated litigation to monitor wetland conservation, highlighting their importance. World Wetland Day is observed on February 2 to commemorate the Ramsar Convention, aiming at wetland conservation.

Global Wetland Statistics and Challenges

• Wetlands cover 12.1 million km², representing 6% of the Earth's surface, and contribute 40.6% to global ecosystem services.
• Wetlands have been under stress due to urbanization, industrialization, population growth, and climate change.
• Since 1900, 50% of wetlands have been repurposed for other uses.
• The Wetland Extend Trends (WET) index shows a (-)0.78% annual loss rate, exceeding the natural vegetation loss rate.
• 81% of inland wetland species and 36% of coastal and marine species have declined since 1970.
• The extinction risk for wetland species, both plants and animals, is increasing globally.

Conservation Initiatives and Strategic Plans

• The COP14 emphasized integrated wetland conservation strategies aligned with international environmental initiatives.
• The Ramsar Strategic Plan aims to contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals, global biodiversity targets, and combat climate change.
• India, a Ramsar Convention signatory, has designated 75 Ramsar sites covering 1.33 million hectares, about 8% of India’s wetlands.

Loss and Degradation of Wetlands in India

• India’s natural wetlands comprise 66.6% of total wetlands, with ongoing trends showing a decline and an increase in man-made wetlands.
• Significant urban wetland losses: Mumbai (71%), Kolkata (36%), and Chennai (85%).
• Studies indicate substantial economic losses due to wetland degradation, such as $76,827 per hectare per year in Cali, Colombia.

Need for Comprehensive Wetland Management

• Current management efforts focus on ecological and environmental aspects, lacking integration of social and economic factors.
• Wetlands serve as both carbon sources and sinks, crucial for climate change mitigation.
• Calls for innovative, ecosystem-based management approaches and mainstreaming into development plans were emphasized during Ramsar COP14.

Effective wetland management requires investigating land use changes, socio-economic factors, and governance structures to address this escalating challenge.