Today is 2nd February and we celebrate it as a “World Wetland Day”. Happy world wetland day. Every year we celebrate wetland day to raise global awareness about the high importance of wetlands for people and our planet. It’s an occasion to commemorate the signing of the Ramsar convention on wetlands in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971. On this special occasion let’s have pretty discussion on wetlands and their importance.
Wetlands in easiest way means watery wet lands. According to Ramsar convention wetlands are areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water at the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six meters, a very scientific and proper definition. In addition, for the purpose of protecting coherent sites, the Article 2.1 provides that wetlands to be included in Ramsar list of internationally important wetlands: may incorporate riparian and coastal zones adjacent to the wetlands, and islands or bodies of marine water deeper than six meters at low tide lying within the wetlands.
We have five major types of wetlands like marine, estuarine, lacustrine, riverine and palustrine. In addition, there are human-made wetlands such as fish and shrimp ponds, farm ponds, irrigated agricultural land, salt pans, reservoirs, gravel pits, sewage farms and canals. India currently has 42 sites as wetlands of international importance (Ramsar sites), with a surface area of 1,081,438 hectares.
The Convention on Wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran in 1971, is an intergovernmental treaty which provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. There are presently 158 Contracting Parties to the Convention. The Convention’s mission is the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local, regional and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world
Wetlands are the Earth’s most productive ecosystems, described as “the kidneys of the landscape”, because of the functions they perform in the hydrological and chemical cycles. As well as “biological supermarkets” because of the enormous food webs and treasure of biodiversity they support. Wetlands contain biodiversity of exceptional conservation significance, comprising many unique ecosystems and a wide array of globally-threatened species. At the same time, they typically form essential components of local, national and even regional economies, as well as underpinning the livelihoods of adjacent human communities. Wetland goods and services are often particularly important for poorer and more vulnerable groups, which have limited alternative sources of income and subsistence, and have weak access to basic services.
Wetlands provides enormous ecosystem services to all our creatures as well as tremendous economic benefits, such as water supply, fisheries, agriculture, nutrient cycling, floodplain, wildlife resources, habitat for waterbirds as well as migratory birds, transport, recreation, tourism etc. wetlands have special attributes as part of the cultural heritage of humanity. They are related to religious and cosmological beliefs, constitute a source of aesthetic inspiration, provide wildlife sanctuaries and form the basis of important local traditions.
Despite their importance, wetlands are under increasing pressure. The rate of loss and deterioration of wetlands is accelerating in all regions of the world. The pressure on wetlands is likely to intensify in the coming decades due to increased global demand for land and water, as well as climate change. Unfortunately, because of development made in recent years, wetlands continue to be among the world’s most threatened ecosystem, owing mainly to ongoing drainage, conversion, pollution, and over-exploitation of their resources.
“Wetlands and water”, the theme for Wetland day 2021, shines a spotlight on wetlands as a source of freshwater and encourages actions to restore them and stop their loss. The 2021 campaign highlights the contribution of wetlands to the quantity and quality of freshwater on planet. Water and wetlands are connected in an inseparable co-existence that is vital to life, our wellbeing and the health of our planet. Save wetlands.
Written by
-Neha Tamhnakar
(Team YFNindia.)
Very nice and informative one👌💐
Great one ...