Context
- The Meghalaya High Court took suo motu public interest litigation to monitor wetland conservation in the State.
Global Significance
- World Wetland Day (February 2) commemorates the Ramsar Convention (1971) for wetland conservation.
- Theme for 2023: “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future”, aligning with sustainable development goals.
Global Wetland Loss & Challenges
- Wetlands cover 6% of the Earth’s surface but provide 40.6% of global ecosystem services.
- Wetland loss:
- 50% of wetlands have been lost since 1900.
- 35% decline from 1970 to 2015 due to urbanization, climate change, and industrial expansion.
- 81% decline in inland wetland species and 36% decline in coastal & marine species since 1970.
- Conservation is crucial for water management, climate change mitigation, and urban blue-green infrastructure.
Ramsar Convention & COP14’s Focus on Integration
- COP14 (2022) in Wuhan & Geneva emphasized:
- Linking wetland conservation with global climate and biodiversity goals.
- Aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UN Climate Change Framework, and Ecosystem Restoration Decade.
- Addressing wetland degradation urgently in response to post-COVID-19 global changes.
Wetland Conservation in India
- India is a signatory to the Ramsar Convention and has 75 Ramsar sites (as of 2023) covering 1.33 million ha.
- Total wetland area in India: 15.98 million ha, with:
- 66.6% natural wetlands (43.9% inland, 22.7% coastal).
- Increasing man-made wetlands while natural wetlands decline.
- Loss of natural wetlands in India:
- 30% lost in the last 40 years due to urbanization and pollution.
- Mumbai lost 71% of its wetlands (1970-2014).
- Kolkata wetlands shrank by 36% (1991-2021).
- Chennai lost 85% of its wetlands, as per a WWF study.
- Economic loss due to wetland degradation:
- $76,827 per hectare per year in urban areas (Colombia study).
- $30,354 per hectare per year in peri-urban areas.
Need for a Broader Approach to Wetland Management
- Current wetland management in India focuses mainly on ecological aspects but lacks a comprehensive approach.
- Globally, wetland conservation integrates:
- Biodiversity protection.
- Human impact assessment.
- Wetland prioritization for conservation.
- Wetlands provide ecological, economic, and social security, acting as carbon sinks and sources for climate regulation.
- India needs an innovative, ecosystem-based approach that integrates wetlands into national development plans.
- Better monitoring & governance are required to address wetland degradation from climate and human activities.
Conclusion
- Urgent conservation efforts are needed to halt wetland loss and degradation.
- Wetlands must be mainstreamed into national policies for sustainable development and climate resilience.
- Stronger policies, local governance, and international collaboration are essential for effective wetland management.