Introduction

Wetlands are among the most biologically productive ecosystems, offering critical environmental, economic, and social benefits. Covering approximately 12.1 million km², or 6% of the Earth's surface, wetlands contribute 40.6% of global ecosystem services. Despite their importance, they face significant threats due to urbanization, industrialization, land conversion, and climate change. Recognizing their ecological significance, the international community commemorates World Wetlands Day on February 2 to mark the adoption of the Ramsar Convention (1971), an international treaty for wetland conservation. The 2025 theme, "Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future," highlights their role in sustainable development, as emphasized in the Brundtland Report (1987).

Defining Wetlands and Their Importance

• According to the 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 where the depth at low tide does not exceed six meters.” This definition encompasses lakes, rivers, underground aquifers, swamps, and marshes.
• Wetlands play a crucial role in climate regulation through carbon sequestration, capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide and preventing its release, which mitigates global warming. As per the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), wetlands rank among the most productive ecosystems, comparable to rainforests and coral reefs, supporting diverse species of microbes, plants, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish, and mammals.

Ramsar Sites and Wetland Conservation

The Ramsar Convention, signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, aims to protect and conserve wetlands globally. It defines specific criteria for designating Ramsar sites, including:

• Supporting species at critical life cycle stages or providing refuge during adverse conditions.
• Serving as vital habitats for fish and waterbirds.

India became a signatory to the convention in 1982, initially designating Chilika Lake (Odisha) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) as Ramsar sites. As of February 2025, India has 89 Ramsar sites covering over 13 lakh hectares, one of the highest numbers in Asia. Recent additions include Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary, Therthangal Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu), Khecheopalri Wetland (Sikkim), and Udhwa Lake (Jharkhand).

Notable wetlands in India include:

• Sundarbans, a vast mangrove ecosystem home to the Royal Bengal Tiger.
• Tso Moriri in the cold desert of Ladakh, vital for high-altitude biodiversity.
• Pangong Tso, identified for future Ramsar designation due to its black-necked crane population.

Threats to Wetlands

Wetlands serve as natural buffers against floods and storms by absorbing excess rainfall and mitigating extreme weather events. However, they face persistent threats, as highlighted in the Ramsar Convention’s Global Wetland Outlook (2018), which reported a 35% global wetland loss between 1970 and 2015, primarily due to human activities.

Key threats include:

• Unsustainable development: Around 87% of global wetlands have been lost over the last 300 years due to urban expansion, industrialization, and agriculture.
• Pollution: Approximately 80% of global wastewater enters wetlands untreated, degrading water quality due to industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, and chemical spills.
• Invasive species: Non-native species disrupt wetland ecosystems, often spreading through interconnected waterways.
• Climate change: Rising temperatures and altered rainfall patterns further degrade wetland environments.

In India, reports by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) highlight wetland degradation due to encroachment, pollution, and urbanization, particularly from agricultural and industrial runoff.

Global and National Conservation Efforts

Recognizing the urgency of wetland conservation, international frameworks have integrated wetlands into broader environmental policies.

1. The Ramsar Convention and COP14 (2022)

The 14th Conference of the Parties (COP14) to the Ramsar Convention (held in Wuhan, China, and Geneva, Switzerland) emphasized:

• Developing the Fifth Ramsar Strategic Plan to align wetland conservation with sustainability goals.
• Integrating wetland protection into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Global Biodiversity Targets, UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030).

2. India’s Wetland Conservation Policies

India has undertaken significant wetland conservation initiatives:

• Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017: Mandate state-level wetland authorities and community involvement in wetland conservation.
• National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA), 2015: An integrated scheme combining the National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP) and the National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) to protect aquatic ecosystems.
• Amrit Dharohar Capacity Building Scheme, 2023: Trains government officials, conservationists, and local communities to enhance wetland management using sustainable practices and traditional knowledge.
• National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP), 1987: Provides financial assistance for the conservation and restoration of wetlands at the state level.

Challenges in Wetland Management

Despite these efforts, challenges persist due to insufficient integration of ecological, economic, and social dimensions in wetland conservation policies. Key challenges include:

• Limited research on wetland ecosystems beyond major Ramsar sites.
• Weak governance frameworks to regulate land-use changes in wetland catchments.
• Insufficient monitoring of wetlands’ role in carbon sequestration, despite their significance in climate mitigation.

A Holistic Approach to Wetland Conservation

A multidimensional strategy is essential for effective wetland management.

1.   Recognizing Wetlands as Socio-Economic Assets

o    Water security: Wetlands regulate hydrological cycles.

o    Biodiversity conservation: They support endemic and migratory species.

o    Livelihood opportunities: Fisheries and eco-tourism provide sustainable incomes.

2.   Implementing Nature-Based Solutions

o    Integrating wetlands into urban infrastructure planning to mitigate urban flooding.

o    Restoration programs within climate adaptation strategies.

o    Strengthening wetland governance by linking conservation with socioeconomic policies.

3.   Strengthening Institutional Frameworks

o    Mainstreaming wetland conservation into national and regional development policies.

o    Enhancing research on wetlands' carbon sequestration potential.

o    Developing national and state-level wetland action plans focusing on sustainable land-use.

Conclusion

Wetlands are crucial for ecological stability, climate regulation, and economic sustenance. While India has made progress under the Ramsar framework, continued urban expansion and human activities pose existential threats. To safeguard wetlands for future generations, conservation efforts must transcend ecological considerations and incorporate economic, social, and policy dimensions. A holistic, ecosystem-based approach, integrated into national and global environmental frameworks, is necessary for ensuring the long-term sustainability of wetlands.