Explained: Why Conservation Of Wetlands And Their Biodiversity Is Key To Human Survival

Wetlands are ecosystems which exist at the confluence of land and water. These ecosystems exist as mangroves, marshes, peatlands, ponds, lakes, reservoirs, floodplains, and deltas. Several popular tourist destinations in India, Sundarbans in West Bengal, Chilika Lake in Odisha, and Tso Moriri in Ladakh are amongst the most well-known wetlands in India.

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Wetlands in India

These ecosystems host biodiverse floral and faunal species and provide a variety of ecological services ¨C including supporting the livelihoods of several indigenous communities. India has over 757000 wetlands which cover 15.3 million hectares or about 4.7% of the geographical area of the country. However, climate change, rapid urbanisation and pollution have cost India a third of its wetlands in the last four decades.

Wetlands are also crucial to our defence against climate change. With their thick canopies and aerial roots (especially mangroves), wetland floral species have an immense capacity to store carbon. They are often referred to as Blue Carbon Sinks and help in reducing emissions in urban areas. They act as buffers against storms, prevent flooding, control erosion, and store and purify water. Acting as a barrier to the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events floods, wetlands are key to building climate resilience in cities.

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Why wetlands are important

The collapse of wetlands can expose cities to unmitigated exposure to extreme rainfall or cyclones and cause immeasurable destruction in terms of economic and environmental losses.

For instance, environmental experts cite the extreme flooding in Chennai as a consequence of the city having lost a large part of its wetlands. With the city¡¯s expansion and increase in construction, many wetlands which existed in the city¡¯s suburbs were compromised ¨C ultimately leading to extreme flooding in 2015 and 2021.

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Apart from their role in climate resilience, they also serve as biodiversity hotspots. Over 40 per cent of the world¡¯s biodiversity is found in wetlands. They are home to several aquatic and terrestrial species and microorganisms which are essential for maintaining the ecological balance and supporting the food chain. When wetlands are lost or degraded, the species that depend on them are also lost.

This can have cascading effects on the entire ecosystem, including negative impacts on water quality, nutrient cycling, and climate regulation. Moreover, increased interference of humans with wildlife also increases the risk of zoonotic diseases. Since around 60 per cent of all human diseases are zoonotic, it is essential to limit human-animal interactions through the preservation of wildlife habitats.

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Wetland Conservation in India

Protecting existing wetlands and restoring degraded ones is critical for building climate resilience and ensuring our survival. The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. Currently, India has 75 wetlands of international importance that have been designated under the convention.

Ramsar Sites are wetlands having international significance and importance, that have been chosen for their significance in preserving biological diversity. While Ramsar sites are prioritised for protection, there are several other urban wetlands which must also be accorded due importance.

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At the national level, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) also implements several programs and initiatives aimed at conserving and managing wetlands in the country. The National Wetland Conservation Program provides financial and technical assistance to states and union territories for the preservation and management of wetlands.

The biodiverse flora and fauna of wetlands are further protected under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. The Government of India also launched the Amrit Sarovar Mission in 2022. Under the Mission, 75 water bodies will be developed and rejuvenated in each district of the country as a part of the celebration of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. In total, the Mission aims at creating 50,000 water bodies of a size of about an Acre or more.

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However, a major issue with wetland conservation policies in India is the lack of proper classification and demarcation of wetlands. The Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017, neither make provisions for a national regulator, nor do they list specific activities that ought to be prohibited in wetlands. As a result, wetlands are often viewed as areas that are available for agricultural purposes or urban development.

Way Forward for Wetland Conservation

It is crucial to involve the public and businesses in efforts to protect wetlands in India. Building community support and engagement can help overcome the limitations of current policies and laws. Involving local residents, through methods such as public meetings, volunteer programs, and educational outreach, can increase understanding and appreciation of wetlands and lead to greater commitment to conserving them. Campaigns like Biodiversity by the Bay and Magical Mangroves have been instrumental in involving citizens in the conservation of wetlands.

Biodiversity by the Bay involves environmentalists, lawyers and nature enthusiasts to advocate for sustainable development to protect the city¡¯s environment and hotspots. Magical Mangroves campaign engaged 150 environmentally conscious youth or Mangrove Ambassadors from 9 Indian coastal states, These Mangrove Ambassadors have collectively sensitised over 18000 citizens residing in 9 coastal states of India on mangrove conservation.

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Teaching children and students about wetlands and engaging their interest through books, apps and visits to different kinds of habitations can inculcate a lifelong interest in nature and the environment. Further, it is important to involve future generations and inculcate a lifelong interest in conservation and the environment through interactive sessions, books, and apps.

Businesses also have an important role to play in raising awareness and protecting wetlands. They can invest in nature projects and awareness campaigns. Through forming partnerships with government and civil society organizations they can help align policy, research, and awareness towards the common goal of saving and restoring wetlands. By working together, these public-private partnerships can create a more comprehensive and effective approach to wetland preservation and restoration in India.

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Growing concerns about climate change and increasing global temperatures serve as constant reminders for us to spur climate action. With the Prime Minister speaking about the significance of wetlands in his first Mann Ki Baat of 2023, it is evident that wetlands are not only biodiversity hotspots but also essential for our survival on Earth. The role that they play in building climate resilience for many vulnerable areas of the country cannot be stressed enough. Sound government policies backed by a strong citizens¡¯ movement are essential to protect and restore these ecosystems ¨C and in turn, ensure our survival.

About the author: Tejashree Joshi is the Head of Environment & Sustainability at Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd. All views/opinions expressed in the article are of the author.