Wetlands see more focused conservation action

Caption: Greater Flamingo, Soor Sarovar bird sanctuary, Agra. Photo courtesy Dr Mukul Pandya

A wetland is not merely a pretty picture, offering scenic beauty. It is a source of water for drinking, for fishing and for agriculture, but most importantly, it is a place which harbours biodiversity, helping migratory birds and other wildlife species thrive. It is nothing short of an environmental heritage. Small wonder green activists are upbeat about two wetlands getting the Ramsar Site status recently, as they feel India’s biodiversity conservation efforts are yielding fruit. TreeTake takes a look  …

With two more wetlands being tagged as Ramsar sites, India has achieved a remarkable tally of such sites that now stands at 91. The two new sites are Khichan in Phalodi and Menar in Udaipur, both in Rajasthan.

The Khichan wetland, which is located in the northern Thar desert, comprises two water bodies, Ratri Nadi (river) and Vijaysagar Talab (pond), riparian habitat and scrub land. This desert ecosystem supports drought-resistant plant species that provide habitat for over 150 species of birds. It is known for hosting large wintering flocks of migratory demoiselle cranes. What is remarkable is that the villagers who live nearby are very aware and alert about protecting the avians, ensuring that they do not fall prey to power line collisions and stray dog attacks. The large seasonal gathering of the cranes draws a large number of birders and tourists each year.

Menar is a freshwater monsoon wetland consisting of three ponds, Braham Talab, Dhand Talab and Kheroda Talab, as well as agricultural land between Dhand and Kheroda. Flooding of the land here during rains provides an ideal habitat for water birds. The site is known for the critically endangered white-rumped vulture and long-billed vulture, apart from over 70 plant species. Here too, the community is involved in conservation, alert against poaching or fishing. 

To note, wetlands are critical ecosystems that play an imperative role in maintaining ecological balance, supporting biodiversity and providing various ecosystem services essential for human survival. They are crucial for water storage, storm protection and flood mitigation, shoreline stabilisation, ground water recharge and discharge, water purification,  retention of sediments, nutrients and pollutants and stabilisation of local climate, particularly temperature and rainfall. The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, an international treaty established in 1971, provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands globally. 

Small wonder Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the announcement, posting on his X handle: “Great news! India’s strides in environmental conservation are happening with great vigour and are powered by public participation.”

Professional bird watcher and biodiversity conservationist Dr Mukul Pandya of Agra was very upbeat about the development. “It is a very good development. This means that the importance of these wetlands, as well as the conservation of flora, fauna and birds, would increase. Very often, grazers leave their cattle, particularly buffalo, to graze near water bodies. Any such human activity would be stopped. Protection of the sites would ensure the birds nest there because the conservation status would go up. Just as a sanctuary’s status increases once it becomes a national park, in the same way, the status of the wetlands would also increase. They would become popular as people get to know about the bird species spotted there. No human interference or disturbance would mean the birds would stay there peacefully and nest. People would come to watch them, and this would boost the local economy. However, visitors should be told not to disturb the birds and follow the dos and don’ts. There should be no littering and absolutely no plastic.”

Green activist and convenor of River Connect, Agra, Brij Khandelwal, endorsed the view, saying it was a welcome step. Wetlands were crucial for biodiversity, being home to numerous species, including birds, fish, amphibians, shellfish, insects, and many others. A Ramsar site tag would give all such species protection from undue human interference, he said, adding that till the Soor Sarovar in Agra became a Ramsar Site some years ago, it also faced encroachment and human activity.

Notably, India is home to a diverse array of wetlands, with a total of 1,307 across the country. Among these, 113 are recognised as significant wetlands due to their ecological importance and contribution to biodiversity. Within this group, 91 wetlands have been designated as Ramsar sites, highlighting their international conservation significance. In addition to these, 1,109 other wetlands contribute to the rich tapestry of India's natural landscapes. Further, these wetlands are crucial habitats for migratory birds, particularly those travelling along the Central Asian Flyway. These wetlands serve as vital stopover sites where birds can rest and refuel during their long migrations. Maintaining the health of these wetlands is essential for conserving the bird populations that depend on them.

According to retired senior forester Mohd Ahsan, a Ramsar tag highlights a wetland. It means there is a lot of biodiversity, and it becomes important. Funding or financial aid becomes easy. There would be no paucity of funds for treating the catchment area, removing weeds like water hyacinth, rejuvenating water sources or making observation towers, etc.

Environmental threats to wetlands 

Wetlands have been facing the constant threat of environmental degradation due to natural as well as anthropogenic activities. Encroachment is a major threat to wetlands. People consider wetlands as low-value lands or wastelands, and to ‘develop’ such lands, they encroached on the land for agriculture, urban expansion and other purposes. This is a persistent problem despite legislation being in place. Invasion or proliferation of non-native species is another.

Pollution is also a bogey. Inflow of domestic sewage, solid waste and industrial effluents mars many a pristine wetland. Fertiliser and pesticide run-off from agricultural lands increase the pollution level, which in turn causes eutrophication (excessive enrichment of a water body with nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus), reduces dissolved oxygen and increases the biological oxygen demand, which leads to large-scale mortality of fish and other aquatic life. Eutrophication creates ecological conditions that are deleterious to most aquatic life forms.

Indiscriminate use of wetlands for aquaculture is also a major threat to their ecological character. Intensive input of feed for the fish and prawn culture, subsequent draining of the nutrient-rich water into the adjacent sea/river system, results in eutrophication and degradation of wetlands. Then, siltation, which is a natural ecological process in filling up the wetlands, is revved up due to human interference. This leads to shrinkage and loss of many wetland habitats as well as alteration in biological composition.

Eutrophication (excessive enrichment of a water body with nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus ) process creates conducive conditions for weeds to thrive in the water bodies and poses a threat. This type of infestation, which is a common problem, alters and impairs the ecological functions of wetlands. Apart from this, natural succession, changes in the hydrological cycle and sea level, etc., are some of the other factors responsible for changing the character and quality of wetlands. Cumulative strain on wetlands by all this leads to a decrease in biological diversity, deterioration of water quality, sedimentation and shrinkage in areas, which causes a decline in migratory bird population and fish productivity but leads to proliferation of unwanted aquatic biota.

Government steps for wetland conservation

The government has taken many steps for the conservation and protection of wetlands, as per PIB sources: 

1. Wetlands of India Portal: Launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC), this portal provides comprehensive information on India's wetlands. It includes capacity-building materials, data repositories, and dashboards for each state and union territory.

2. National Wetland Decadal Change Atlas: Prepared by the Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad, this atlas highlights the changes in wetlands across the country over the past decade.

3. Centre for Wetland Conservation and Management (CWCM): Established on World Wetland Day 2021, this centre focuses on addressing research needs and knowledge gaps in wetland conservation.

4. Wetlands Rejuvenation Programme: Initiated by MoEFCC in 2020, this programme aims to rejuvenate over 500 wetlands across India. It includes developing baseline information, rapid assessments, stakeholder engagement, and management planning.

5. Integration with river basin management: The Namami Gange programme integrates wetland conservation with river basin management, serving as a model framework for the entire country.

6. National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems: In 2013, the National Wetlands Conservation Programme and the National Lake Conservation Plan were combined to create the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems. This comprehensive plan reflects a holistic government approach to protecting vital aquatic ecosystems.

7. Amrit Dharohar Scheme: Launched with the Union Budget 2023-24, the Amrit Dharohar Scheme is a key initiative aimed at optimising wetland utilisation over the next three years. Its goals include enhancing biodiversity, increasing carbon stock, boosting eco-tourism, and generating income for local communities, in line with the government's sustainable development vision.

8. MoEFCC's Wetlands Rejuvenation Programme: Launched in 2020, the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC) initiated the Wetlands Rejuvenation Programme. This multifaceted approach includes developing baseline data, assessing wetland health, establishing stakeholder platforms, and creating comprehensive management plans. The program covers over 500 wetlands, showcasing the government's dedication to conserving these essential habitats.

 9. National Wildlife Action Plan: The National Wildlife Action Plan (2017-2031) emphasises the conservation of inland aquatic ecosystems, including wetlands. It advocates for a national wetlands mission to preserve these habitats, recognising their importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services.

10. Integration with Namami Gange: On World Wetlands Day 2021, the Ministry of Jal Shakti highlighted the integration of wetland conservation with the Namami Gange programme. The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has pioneered initiatives that serve as models for wetland conservation nationwide. This includes developing health cards and management plans for 10 wetlands in each of the 50-plus Ganga districts, blending scientific expertise with community involvement.

Increasing Ramsar Sites in India is crucial for various reasons, primarily focusing on environmental conservation, biodiversity protection and sustainable development. These sites, designated as wetlands of international importance, offer significant ecological and socio-economic benefits. 

Importance of Ramsar Sites:

• Biodiversity conservation: Ramsar Sites provide vital habitats for a wide range of species, including migratory birds, fish, and amphibians. They are crucial for maintaining ecological balance and supporting diverse ecosystems. 

• Ecosystem services: Wetlands play a vital role in regulating water cycles, filtering pollutants and controlling floods. They also contribute to nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration, which helps mitigate climate change. 

• Livelihood support: Ramsar Sites provide resources like fish, water and plants that are essential for local communities' livelihoods. They also support local economies through ecotourism. 

• Climate change mitigation: Wetlands store carbon, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They also regulate local climates and can help mitigate the impacts of climate change. 

• Sustainable development: By recognising and protecting these valuable ecosystems, India can ensure their sustainable use and benefit from their services for generations to come. 

• International recognition: Designating wetlands as Ramsar Sites brings international attention to their conservation and sustainable management. It also fosters international cooperation and knowledge sharing. 

• Legal protection: The Ramsar Convention provides a framework for wetland conservation, offering legal protection and guidance for their management. 

• Tourism and education: Ramsar Sites can attract tourists, generating revenue and raising awareness about the importance of wetlands. They also provide opportunities for environmental education and research. 

• Cultural and religious significance: Some wetlands hold cultural and religious importance for local communities, further highlighting their value beyond their ecological significance. 

Former senior forest official Anuj Saxeba said: “The announcement about two new Ramsar Sites is a very welcome development, signifying that conservation efforts are bearing fruit. The more the Ramsar sites, the better will be the conservation of birds, flora, fauna and other species found in wetlands.” 

Wetlands are essential for managing the impacts of floods, droughts and cyclones. They serve as natural buffers by capturing excess rainfall and gradually releasing water during dry periods, thus mitigating extreme weather effects. Additionally, wetlands are vital for maintaining ecosystem health, helping to minimise potential disaster impacts on various habitats and species.

A green activist said on condition of anonymity that more and more Ramsar Sites were needed because this meant that there was focused conservation and ample funds to carry forward conservation activities. It would also make local communities aware of the importance of such sites, there would be no encroachment, no undue human interference and everything would be monitored. 

Recognising the crucial role wetlands play in supporting both human well-being and planetary health, the government has initiated several efforts to protect and restore these vital ecosystems, to ensure that the invaluable services provided by wetlands are preserved for future generations. It is high time individuals too pitched in to do their bit by supporting conservation and going in for responsible land use and sustainable practices.