Wetlands: Guardians of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

Wetlands are among the most vital ecosystems on Earth, serving as a bridge between terrestrial and aquatic environments. They include marshes, swamps, bogs, fens, mangroves, and even human-made systems like rice paddies and reservoirs. Despite covering only about 6% of the Earth’s surface, wetlands provide a disproportionately large number of ecosystem services that are essential for environmental stability, biodiversity conservation, and human well-being. Let’s delve into the ecological, economic, and cultural significance of wetlands while exploring global and local conservation efforts.

What Are Wetlands?

Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil or is present at or near the surface for varying periods of time during the year. They are characterized by hydric soils that support water-loving plants and diverse wildlife. Wetlands can be classified into two broad categories:

1. Coastal Wetlands: Found along coastlines, these include mangroves, salt marshes, and estuaries.
2. Inland Wetlands: Located away from coasts, these include marshes, swamps, peatlands, rivers, lakes, and floodplains.

In addition to these categories, wetlands are further divided into permanent and seasonal wetlands, depending on the duration and extent of water retention. Wetlands are dynamic ecosystems that change over time due to natural processes and human activities.

Ecological Importance of Wetlands

Wetlands play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by providing a range of ecosystem services:

1. Water Quality Improvement

• Wetlands act as natural filters by trapping sediments and absorbing pollutants such as heavy metals, pesticides, and nutrients from surface runoff.
• They enhance groundwater quality by purifying water that percolates through their soil layers, thereby ensuring clean and sustainable water supplies for both humans and wildlife.

2. Flood Control and Storm Protection

• Wetlands act as natural sponges that absorb excess water during floods and release it during dry periods, reducing the severity of both floods and droughts.
• Coastal wetlands like mangroves protect shorelines from storm surges, cyclones, and tidal waves, acting as a first line of defense for coastal communities.

3. Biodiversity Hotspots

• Wetlands provide habitats for a wide range of species, including one-third of all endangered species globally.
• They serve as breeding grounds for fish and amphibians and are critical stopover points for migratory birds, ensuring the survival of many species that depend on these habitats.

4. Carbon Sequestration

• Peatlands alone store twice as much carbon as all the world’s forests combined, making them crucial in combating climate change.
• Coastal wetlands like mangroves and seagrass meadows act as significant carbon sinks, capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide more efficiently than terrestrial forests.

5. Climate Regulation

• By regulating local temperatures and humidity levels, wetlands contribute to climate stabilization, influencing regional weather patterns and reducing the urban heat island effect in nearby areas.

Economic Value of Wetlands

The economic benefits derived from wetlands far exceed those from other ecosystems. A study by Costanza et al. (1997) estimated the global economic value of wetland ecosystem services at $15 trillion annually. This figure underscores the immense value wetlands provide, often overlooked in traditional economic assessments.

Key Economic Contributions:

1. Water Supply: Wetlands ensure fresh water availability by replenishing aquifers and acting as reservoirs during dry periods.
2. Food Production: Rice paddies in wetlands feed nearly three billion people worldwide, underscoring their importance in global food security.
3. Fisheries: Most commercial fish species rely on wetlands for breeding, spawning, and feeding, making wetlands indispensable to the fishing industry.
4. Tourism and Recreation: Activities like birdwatching, hiking, and fishing generate significant revenue, creating job opportunities in ecotourism and related sectors.
5. Cost Savings: Wetlands reduce infrastructure costs by providing natural flood control, water purification, and storm protection services that would otherwise require expensive engineering solutions.

Cultural and Social Significance

Wetlands hold immense cultural value across various societies:

• They are often associated with religious or spiritual beliefs, serving as sacred spaces for rituals and ceremonies.
• Archaeological remains found in wetlands provide insights into ancient civilizations, shedding light on human history and development.
• Urban wetlands enhance community well-being by offering recreational spaces, improving mental health, and fostering a sense of connection with nature.

In many indigenous cultures, wetlands are regarded as living entities with intrinsic value, emphasizing the need for their conservation beyond economic and ecological considerations.

Threats to Wetlands

Despite their importance, wetlands are among the most threatened ecosystems globally:

1. Urbanization: Expansion of cities leads to wetland drainage and conversion into built-up areas, causing habitat loss and fragmentation.
2. Agricultural Activities: Excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides causes nutrient loading in wetlands, leading to eutrophication and loss of aquatic life.
3. Climate Change: Rising sea levels threaten coastal wetlands, while changing precipitation patterns affect the hydrological cycles of inland wetlands.
4. Pollution: Industrial effluents, plastic waste, and untreated sewage degrade water quality in wetlands, affecting their ability to provide ecosystem services.
5. Infrastructure Development: Construction of dams, canals, and roads disrupts natural water flow, altering wetland ecosystems and their biodiversity.

Since 1700, approximately 87% of global wetlands have been lost due to these factors, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts.

Global Conservation Efforts

1. Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

The Ramsar Convention (1971) is an international treaty aimed at conserving wetlands of international importance. As of 2025:

• India has 89 Ramsar sites covering 1.358 million hectares.
• Tamil Nadu leads with 20 Ramsar sites, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 10.

This treaty emphasizes sustainable use of wetlands, recognizing their ecological and socio-economic importance.

2. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Several SDGs emphasize wetland conservation:

• Goal 6: Ensure sustainable water management and availability.
• Goal 13: Combat climate change through carbon sequestration in wetlands.
• Goal 15: Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, including wetlands.

3. Restoration Projects

Efforts to restore degraded wetlands include:

• Reforestation of mangroves and riparian zones.
• Removal of invasive species and restoration of native vegetation.
• Re-establishment of natural hydrological regimes to revive wetland ecosystems.

India’s Initiatives in Wetland Conservation

India has been proactive in wetland conservation through various programs:

1. Amrit Dharohar Initiative

Launched in June 2023 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), this initiative focuses on:

• Species and habitat conservation.
• Promoting nature tourism to generate sustainable livelihoods.
• Supporting wetland-dependent communities.
• Enhancing carbon sequestration and climate resilience.

2. World Wetlands Day Celebrations

On February 2nd each year, India observes World Wetlands Day to raise awareness about wetland conservation. The 2025 celebration at Parvati Arga Ramsar Site in Uttar Pradesh highlighted the theme “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future”.

3. National Wetland Atlas

The National Wetland Atlas maps and monitors the status of wetlands across India, providing crucial data for conservation planning and policymaking.

Future Directions

To ensure the long-term sustainability of wetlands:

1. Strengthen Policies: Enforce stricter regulations to protect wetlands from encroachment and pollution.
2. Promote Community Participation: Involve local communities in wetland restoration and management to ensure sustainable outcomes.
3. Enhance Research: Conduct studies on wetland biodiversity, ecosystem services, and climate resilience to inform conservation strategies.
4. Integrate Wetlands into Urban Planning: Design cities that incorporate wetlands as natural infrastructure for flood control, water purification, and recreation.
5. Raise Awareness: Educate the public about the importance of wetlands through campaigns, school programs, and media outreach.

Recent Developments in Wetland Conservation in India 

1. Wetlands of India Portal

Launched on October 2, 2021, by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the Wetlands of India Portal serves as a centralized digital repository providing comprehensive information about wetlands across the country. This portal is designed to be a one-stop platform where users can access state-wise and union territory-specific dashboards, data repositories, and capacity-building resources. It aims to empower stakeholders – including policymakers, researchers, and citizens – with knowledge to facilitate wetland conservation and informed decision-making.

2. National Wetland Decadal Change Atlas

Prepared by the Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad, the National Wetland Decadal Change Atlas examines changes in wetland ecosystems across India over the last decade. By using geospatial and remote sensing technologies, this atlas identifies patterns of wetland loss, degradation, or restoration, offering critical insights into the evolving health of these ecosystems. It plays a pivotal role in guiding future conservation strategies.

3. Centre for Wetland Conservation and Management (CWCM)

On World Wetland Day 2021, the Centre for Wetland Conservation and Management (CWCM) was established under the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Chennai. This center is dedicated to addressing gaps in knowledge and research related to wetland ecosystems. Its work includes enabling scientific studies, creating policy recommendations, and developing community-driven wetland management models that contribute to long-term conservation. 

4. Wetlands Rejuvenation Programme 

Launched in 2020 by the MoEFCC, the Wetlands Rejuvenation Programme reflects a strategic commitment to rejuvenate and restore over 500 wetlands across India. The initiative incorporates a holistic approach, including the development of baseline datasets, rapid health assessments, stakeholder engagement platforms, and management plans. This effort not only focuses on ecological restoration but also on enhancing local community engagement and resilience. 

5. Integration with River Basin Management (Namami Gange Program) 

The Namami Gange program, spearheaded by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, integrates wetland conservation with river basin management, recognizing the interdependence of wetlands and healthy river ecosystems. On World Wetlands Day 2021, the integration of wetland conservation within the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) was highlighted as a model framework. This initiative demonstrates how wetlands can be conserved as natural water purifiers and biodiversity hotspots within a broader river basin management strategy. 

6. National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA) 

In 2013, the government merged two earlier programs – the National Wetlands Conservation Programme and the National Lake Conservation Plan – to form the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA). This unified plan takes a holistic approach to conserving India’s aquatic ecosystems. It aims to safeguard the ecological, hydrological, and biodiversity value of wetlands and lakes while addressing challenges such as pollution, encroachment, and over-extraction of resources. 

7. Amrit Dharohar Scheme 

Announced in the Union Budget 2023-24, the Amrit Dharohar Scheme sets forth an ambitious roadmap for optimizing wetland use over the next three years. The scheme’s objectives include: 

• Enhancing biodiversity within wetland ecosystems.
• Increasing carbon stock through wetland rehabilitation, contributing to climate change mitigation.
• Promoting eco-tourism opportunities for sustainable economic development.
• Generating livelihood opportunities for local communities while encouraging their active participation in wetland conservation. This scheme reflects the government’s vision to align ecosystem preservation with economic and societal well-being.

8. National Wildlife Action Plan (2017-2031): Focus on Wetlands

The National Wildlife Action Plan (2017-2031) underscores the importance of conserving inland aquatic ecosystems, including wetlands, as a key strategy to protect biodiversity. It advocates for the development of a National Wetlands Mission, emphasizing actions to preserve these ecosystems for their ecological services, such as water filtration, flood control, and habitat provision, while recognizing their socio-economic benefits.

Protecting Wetlands: A Collective Responsibility for a Sustainable Future

Wetlands are indispensable ecosystems that offer ecological stability, economic benefits, cultural heritage, and climate resilience. However, their alarming rate of degradation calls for urgent action at local, national, and global levels. By valuing these ecosystems not just for their immediate benefits but also for their long-term contributions to humanity’s survival, we can ensure that wetlands continue to thrive as guardians of biodiversity and providers of life-sustaining services. It is our collective responsibility to conserve these vital ecosystems for future generations, safeguarding the planet’s ecological integrity and ensuring a sustainable future for all.

MCQ

With reference to wetlands in India, consider the following statements:

1. Wetlands are recognized under the Ramsar Convention, which focuses on their conservation and wise use.
2. Wetlands provide ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, water purification, and flood regulation.
3. The National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA) in India integrates the conservation of wetlands and rivers through a single framework.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, and 3

Correct Answer: B. 1 and 2 only

Explanation:

• Statement 1: Correct. Wetlands are recognized and protected under the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty focused on their conservation and sustainable use.
• Statement 2: Correct. Wetlands are well-known for their ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration (important for climate mitigation), water purification, biodiversity support, and flood regulation.
• Statement 3: Incorrect. The NPCA is a unified framework for conserving wetlands and lakes, not rivers. River conservation is managed separately under initiatives like the Namami Gange Program.

MAINS QUESTION

“India’s wetlands are crucial for biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods. However, they face multiple threats such as encroachment, pollution, and unsustainable exploitation.” Critically analyze the steps taken by the Government of India for wetland conservation and suggest additional measures to strengthen the protection and sustainable management of these ecosystems. (250W, 15M)